Three Princesses and a June Trip to Disney World with pics, Final Update Aug 11th

[twob4him]

Hi Tara and PM - Sorry I thought I responded to you and I think it got eaten up So here goes again:

We loved WCC as well but got the all-you-can-eat skillet! We didn't go this past trip but plan to on our next one! It's a great place for kids isn't it??!!

Tara it is terrific and its nice and loud which is great when you have kids cause you dont have to shush them I loved our meal....yummy!

Great updates!!!! Love the make your own BBB, what a fantastic idea.

I hear ya on DVC at the contemporary. If they do build DVC, I would love to add on there!!!!

Good for you for taking "me" time, you deserve it!

And no need to drag this out, keep those updates coming!

Oh goodness its already Fri and I dont have the update yet! Wouldnt DVC there be amazing....I mean MK right there and the monorail ....

 

[castawaymam]

We loved it. Did the 3 day cruise on the Wonder. Left on a Thrusday and came back on Sunday. The kids loved going to the Clubs and the Mickey pool, the slide is a must. We had a room with a veiw on the 2 or 3 floor of the ship was great, Cat 7or 8. No noise, very quiet. And our server was the best. Martin was his name and was from Hondorus. The night that we were in Nassua was Pirate Night and they had a pirate party and you can dress up as pirates or not if you wish, Only Ryan and I did in our party of 21 people(adults and kids)
and at dinner you get pirate bandanas to wear. I would like to go next year on a disney cruise for our wedding annv. But it is still in the talking over process. And nobody from our group got sea sick, and they all took one of the motion sickness pills before we left the port and no one took any more after that.

 

[twob4him]

We loved it. Did the 3 day cruise on the Wonder. Left on a Thrusday and came back on Sunday. The kids loved going to the Clubs and the Mickey pool, the slide is a must. We had a room with a veiw on the 2 or 3 floor of the ship was great, Cat 7or 8. No noise, very quiet. And our server was the best. Martin was his name and was from Hondorus. The night that we were in Nassua was Pirate Night and they had a pirate party and you can dress up as pirates or not if you wish, Only Ryan and I did in our party of 21 people(adults and kids)
and at dinner you get pirate bandanas to wear. I would like to go next year on a disney cruise for our wedding annv. But it is still in the talking over process. And nobody from our group got sea sick, and they all took one of the motion sickness pills before we left the port and no one took any more after that.

Wow that does sound great! You had 21 people in your group! Neato! Glad no one got sick!

 

[twob4him]

Day Four - Universal Studios and POR

Sorry for the long delay! I had quite a week keeping up with the kids. We had lessons and friends over and VBS every night....and then I had to clean and cook and do normal stuff...it all gets in the way of the Dis let me tell you.

So here is the next installment
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Oh my goodness…I awoke to red puffy eyes? I think it was either the chlorine from TL or the allergy eyes Visine. And they wouldn’t stop watering so it was next to impossible to put eyeliner on. But I skip ahead…wake-up time for today was set by DH. He wanted to get a cab at 7:30 am for Universal Studios. Now that would get us there an hour early….I wasn’t sure why we had to be so early but whatever DH planned for the day I went with. After all, he was following me around the rest of the week and not complaining. So a 6 am alarm it was. For whatever reason, we never had the hotel wake-up call from Stitch. I am not sure why cause we used it every morning last year.

Good morning Belle!

I showered and got ready, runny eyes and all. About 7 am I woke the Sleeping Babes and they got dressed! I got our park bags ready… we had change of clothes (already in their zip lock bags! Score!), pullups, wipes, toys, umbrella (it looked like rain), extra sunscreen, water and breakfast snacks. I think I also brought towels and the awesome spray mister! Grumpy was in charge of money and tickets this day since we were going out of the World. Yikes! And we were off to the front of POR to find our cab!

Our very nice cab driver was ready and waiting for us. We loaded up and he whisked us away right on time. When you arrive via cab you take the elevator up to the entrance of City Walk. For part of the way they have moving sidewalks that are covered…remember this for later. We snapped some pics and loved the fact that it was so empty compared to Disney.

Nascar fans in City Walk:

We arrived at the gates to Universal Studios at exactly 8 am. They were only admitting people who stay on property but the nice worker took us over to “our turnstile”. We were actually first in line! Apparently we had to wait till 9 am when they were letting regulars in. That’s about when the Mr. Big Grey Cloud arrived overhead. It brought Mrs. Nice Breeze too. Ahhhhh that was nice! And then it started raining. No problemo….I put the clear plastic cover over the stroller and gave Elizabeth the umbrella. While we stood and waited, we ate breakfast and watched a few people enter the park. Seriously, Universal guests had the whole park to themselves for an hour and only a few were taking advantage of it.

At 8:40 am they finally decided to let us in! Yeah! And it stopped raining too! Yeah again! There were about 50 people in line behind us so we had no cattle call or rush of people….triple yeah! Well it wasn’t Main St. but this place was nicer than I expected. It had streets and sidewalks and I had to convince myself that it was “ok” to walk in the middle of the street. I felt like I was in the city and had to watch for traffic..lol!

Not exactly Main Street but interesting all the same:

We headed for Nicktoon Blast first for Elizabeth and Grumpy to ride… apparently its an interactive ride/show with a 40” height requirement. Meanwhile, I found a little bench and we people watched. Pretty hard to do when there aren’t many people. We finished our snacks…made a little potty run and then DH and Liz were back. They liked it!

Eating snacks and waiting by Nicktoon Blast:

Next, we parked the stroller next to the bench. They have cool little parking areas as if they were cars parked next to the curb. We all entered Shrek 4D. I figured I wouldn’t stay if the little ones were too scared. The pre-show was short but cute and nicely AC’d! Its funny how they copy Disney. We entered the theater and I sat in the front row in the non-moving seats. Belle sat on my lap and snuggled and Cindy sat next to me. DH and Liz sat several rows back. What a great show…very similar to Bug’s Life! I highly recommend it if you are ever at US. The girls weren’t too scared either and I forewarned them about the squirts of water and rumble of seats and they were ok with it. Poor Belle is such a trouper.

Our final ride in the front of the park was for DH and Liz again. It was Terminator in Hollywood. They ran ahead while I did yet another potty run and filled our sippies with water for the girls. We also checked out the Cheesecake Factory….it looked scrumous; too bad I don’t really like cheesecake! We moseyed down Rodeo Dr and I wondered if the real Rodeo Dr looked like this. I didn’t have the camera unfortunately or I would have taken a pic of the mostly empty street. At 9:30 am I asked the worker (can’t really call them CM’s) what time the show would let out for Terminator and she said 9:50 am. We found a bench in the shade and a few minutes later a car and trailer come down the street with Madagascar in it. We wave and they wave. They dance and we dance. Darn, I wish I had the camera.


Is this real?

Grumpy and Liz emerge again and I grabbed the camera to take a pic under the Beverly Hills sign. We back track and head up to New York. This park looks huge on the map but its really quite compact. At 10 am, Liz and I check out Twister-Ride it Out. I am really afraid of tornadoes and my anxiety got Liz scared. Poor thing…We hardly had any wait and the ride was a combination of a walk thru and stage area where you stand and watch. It was pretty good and not scary at all. I got Liz worked up for nothing..hahaha!

Next we headed around to the back of the park to San Francisco/Amity. Now the one ride I was dying to try was Earthquake since I show my students a video about roller coasters (physics) and this ride is featured. Unfortunately, Liz and I missed the cut-off and had to wait 15 min to get in. It was boring waiting and hot but at least we were under cover. We finally get ushered into a waiting area in the building but there is no AC!!! Ugggg…what’s the deal. After 5 min pre-show we enter the first theater where there is very little AC. Then we watch there and then shuffle over to another theater…still warm but not too bad. Then we finally load on the subway and ride. This part was great!!! All in all, it took us about 30 to 40 min and when I emerged, DH was really annoyed. Apparently the little ones were whining and hot. I was kinda mad cause it was the only ride I wanted to go on here and DH acted put out to have to wait for us. Grrrrrruuummmpppyyyy!!

Amazing...moments later we are in NY:

Continued in post below....keep reading! There may be a quiz later!

 

[Goofyluver]

You don't like cheesecake?

 

[twob4him]

Day Four - Universal Studios and POR Continued​

Naaaa I won't quiz ya really.... OK here is more below:
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About 11:15 am we arrive at the Jaws ride. We took some pics by the Fish himself and then realize the ride is not running. A worker in front is explaining to everyone that it is shut down. Darn, no wonder why there is no line. We were about to walk away and suddenly the worker announces it’s opened. DH and Liz rush in. Yippy! No wait! Its getting hot now as usual but it doesn’t seem so bad since the clouds were shielding some of the sun. After 5 min DH and Liz come back. I ask if the ride shut down again and they say “No…we rode it.” Wow that was fast. I was expecting another 30 min wait. Cool, now we have time to make it to the next showing of Beetlejuice.

That one big shark!

It scared Felicia!

We backtrack to the theater to see Beetlejuice and, while it was not AC’d, it did have lots of fans blowing. We picked a seat (metal stadium seats…not extremely comfortable but will suffice) right in direct line to the fans….ahhhhhhh! Belle rested and drew and Cindy colored while we waited. The show was about 20 min….seemed longer. The people dancing were really good! Loved the costumes and singing.

Did you ever see the movie??

In the stands:

Writing her trip report:

Upon exiting we decided to eat lunch. DH had a coupon for Monster’s Café and that sounded good to me. We found the place and it wasn’t too crowded even though it was 12:15 pm. While everyone found a table I got in line. I picked three meals…a pizza one, a pasta one and a rotisseri chicken one plus drinks. (I remember thinking it was a relief not to have to get dessert like on the dining plan). We ate and passed around all of the food until we were all full.

Everyone is a ham!

The monster...kinda resembles DH later on???

Good food and fun:

Next on our agenda was some fun time for the little ones. After all they had waited around most of the morning for the adults. We headed over to see our purple friend Barney the Dinosaur. We waited about 10 min for the show to start. It was cute and the girls loved it. They had a playground at the exit and a gift shop….(Disney copy cats). Next we went to see the Man with the Yellow Hat and Curious George. The girls were too timid to run through the water park part and get squirted but they did like the play ground area.

Barney fountain:

Pre-show area:

Curious George fans:

OK next post again! We are not done yet!

 

[twob4him]

Day Four - Universal Studios and POR Continued Some More ​

Elizabeth wanted to ride the roller coaster so we got in line for that…hot hot hot. It was about 2 pm and we were running out of energy. So Liz and I rode that….it was fast and fun and then we joined DH and the girls. One funny story…when we returned from the ride, Grumpy was really grumpy cause his sneaker broke. Every step sounded like a flop. I said he was the creature from the Black Lagoon…pretty funny.

Broken

By now it was about 2:30 pm and DH wanted to head out so we did. I would give US two thumbs up. I wouldn’t have come on my own but we had a great day and it was nice to be away from the maddening crowds for a day. However, I missed Disney and was glad to be going back!

We did see Curious George (the character) on the way out. He was a little crude though…very un-Disney like. He jumped off the truck and went “potty” in the garden by a tree…I thought it all a bit bizarre since kids were standing there wanting to meet him and he is off doing his “business”.

ok..whatever

Anyways, we had a long walk back and the sun was melting us. I couldn’t push the stroller anymore and DH had to take over. Did I mention I did most of the stroller pushing? I snapped a pic of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co…it looked like a cool place to eat. When we reached the covered walkway…the moving sidewalks going out were shut down. Can you believe it? So we trudged back to the elevators and down to the cab stand. Our taxi was a van so we didn’t even have to fold the stroller…score! Cindy slept all the way back to POR.

Instead of going directly back to the room, we decided to treat ourselves to today’s snack credits and got yummy milkshakes and sodas at Riverside Mill. We relaxed for a bit and then headed back to our room. Grumpy and Liz went swimming while I put the little ones down for a nap. I took a shower and hung out in the cool of our nice little room under those loverly ceiling fans. I think I actually fell asleep! It was nice to not have to rush out anywhere. Our plans were to eat right here at POR at the Riverside Mill.

Believe it or not the girls slept till close to 7 pm. After everyone had a bath/shower, we dressed we headed out across the bridge. It was a beautiful evening and we saw many people enjoying themselves. Since it was a little later (8 pm) the Mill wasn’t too crowded. I picked a Design Your Own Pasta. I had linguini, alfredo sauce, chicken and broccoli. So did DH. Very filling. The girls got….mac and cheese…novel I know. We had some of those oh so yummy Mickey cookies and drank our fill of soda. The counter service food is good but certainly not like table service meals.

On the way to dinner:

Pretty POR

Dinner time!

Evening:

DH and Liz looked really tired so they actually turned in early. The little ones and I were rested and decided to check out the baby pool. So believe it or not, we went swimming at 9 pm! Now I know I am on vacation! We met a nice lady and her daughter and we chatted away for a good hour while the girls played and swam.

Swimming with friends at night:

We heard the rumble of thunder and/or maybe it was fireworks??? Not sure. At 10 of 10 I showered the girls and dried them off. I changed them into their PJ’s and strollered them back to the room. I tucked them into bed with night night milk….and then I was free!!!! Yahoooo! I snuck back out to the hot tub. I couldn’t help it…it was calling my name. Ahhhhhhhhhh, after a 20 min soak I realized it was getting late…it was 10:30pm already. I thought I had better get out and get some rest for our big Animal Kingdom Day. I rinsed off, walked back and let myself back into the room undetected. I changed and slipped into bed. What a long day! And we only have three more days left! Oh no! It was going so fast! I was asleep in like 5 min!!


Good Night POR and Disney

 

[twob4him]

You don't like cheesecake?

Its not my favorite ....scary I know....much prefer cake or apple or pumpkin pie over cheesecake.
Should I have brought you back some cheesecake?

 

[dismom9761]

I have read from start to most recent today and really enjoyed it. I especially liked reading about the waterpark and all that was available for little ones.Looking forward to more.

 

[Goofyluver]

Its not my favorite ....scary I know....much prefer cake or apple or pumpkin pie over cheesecake.
Should I have brought you back some cheesecake?

We did US when Jon was little and I remember Barney well! Jon still has the leaf that fell from the ceiling in a scrapbook! (I don't know if leaves still fall from the ceiling) BUT...Jon was so little that I didn't get to do a lot! After seeing your pics tonight he says he wants to go! Thanks a lot! *hmmmph*

 

[praisehisname]

Sounds like you had a good day at US. And you had an especially nice and restful evening as well! You really needed that after the bumpy start to your vacation with Belle being sick...

Denise

 

[MeMom]

It seems so strange to see the Nickelodeon, Curious George, and Barney stuff in the backgrounds, since I'm so used to all Disney backgrounds all the time. We've been to Universal, but it's been a long many years ago, and it was only for one day. The girls looked very hot, but looked like they were enjoying it all.

The walk along the river at POR is so beautiful and peaceful! I'm surprised you didn't just lay back and fall asleep in the hot tub after that long day. I'll read along with you until next Monday, and then I have to take a break so I can GO TO WDW myself!!!! It's almost here for us, and we'll return the enjoyment to you in sharing our family pictures.

 

[PEANUT1]

We LOVE universal and IOA too. I have never been with kids. I am not sure if we will do it with the little ones this time (although I do have passes left over from last time we went so it wouldn't cost us any addditional money).

Did any of you guys go on the mummy ride? it is AMAZING!

Keep posting...sounds like you had so much fun.

 

[twob4him]

I have read from start to most recent today and really enjoyed it. I especially liked reading about the waterpark and all that was available for little ones.Looking forward to more.

Hi Dismom! Thank you so much for reading along and writing too! Are you planning a trip soon?

We did US when Jon was little and I remember Barney well! Jon still has the leaf that fell from the ceiling in a scrapbook! (I don't know if leaves still fall from the ceiling) BUT...Jon was so little that I didn't get to do a lot! After seeing your pics tonight he says he wants to go! Thanks a lot! *hmmmph*

I do remember the leaves falling now that you mention it...they talked about the fall! Thats so cool that you kept one! They also did bubbles which was supposed to be snow or something...fun stuff and the girls liked it to! Sorry about "having" to make a return trip to US...hahhahaha

Sounds like you had a good day at US. And you had an especially nice and restful evening as well! You really needed that after the bumpy start to your vacation with Belle being sick...

Denise

Agreed Denise...you have to fit in the relaxing when you can. The whole vacation to Disney isnt set up to be relaxing....which is why I couldn't go every year.... Who am I kiddin....I could go there every month and not get sick of it!!!!

It seems so strange to see the Nickelodeon, Curious George, and Barney stuff in the backgrounds, since I'm so used to all Disney backgrounds all the time. We've been to Universal, but it's been a long many years ago, and it was only for one day. The girls looked very hot, but looked like they were enjoying it all.

The walk along the river at POR is so beautiful and peaceful! I'm surprised you didn't just lay back and fall asleep in the hot tub after that long day. I'll read along with you until next Monday, and then I have to take a break so I can GO TO WDW myself!!!! It's almost here for us, and we'll return the enjoyment to you in sharing our family pictures.

It is strange to see a different background. It started to get more crowded...nothing like Disney...as we were leaving and it was hot of course...but the whole park was nicer than expected and certainly not as mobbed! It is really geared toward older kids and adults unlike Disney. Did you like it when you went?
I can't wait to hear/read all about your trip to Disney with your family and that cutie pie GD!! I am sure you will all have a terrific time!!!

We LOVE universal and IOA too. I have never been with kids. I am not sure if we will do it with the little ones this time (although I do have passes left over from last time we went so it wouldn't cost us any addditional money).

Did any of you guys go on the mummy ride? it is AMAZING!

Keep posting...sounds like you had so much fun.

It does seem like a park for the older kids and adults...I wouldnt go if you just have little ones. Although they do have the kid section, our little ones ended up waiting around most of the morning. We didnt do the Mummy ride cause DH went on it before and said it was pretty scary...maybe too much for DD 9??? Plus we wanted to eat lunch before the crowds so we never even made it to that ride. Are you going back soon Peanut? I keep meaning to mention the fact that your two daughters are sooooo beautiful!!!! I love your pics in your siggy!

 

[Disneyolic]

Day Four - Universal Studios and POR Continued Some More ​

How were the lines? I swore I would never go to US unless I stayed in one of their hotels because of their front of the line policy.

Elizabeth wanted to ride the roller coaster so we got in line for that…hot hot hot. [/quote]Which one?

One funny story…when we returned from the ride, Grumpy was really grumpy cause his sneaker broke. Every step sounded like a flop. I said he was the creature from the Black Lagoon…pretty funny.

Was it like that until the end of your vacation?

We did see Curious George (the character) on the way out. He was a little crude though…very un-Disney like. He jumped off the truck and went “potty” in the garden by a tree…I thought it all a bit bizarre since kids were standing there wanting to meet him and he is off doing his “business”.

That is very strange. So strange that I had to read that to Rob who "squinched" up his nose. He said, well she did she is was "un-Disney" and she wasn't in Disney. Still, it is a family park!

Keep up the great updates!!!!!

 

[castawaymam]

Sounds like you all had a fun time at US.

 

[DisneyJo]

Cathy US sounds good but as you said more for the older kids. How funny about your DH's trainer falling apart hope he had some more or did you get him some crocs Love how you get your late night hot tub soaks in Lovely POR photos,brings back memories

 

[twob4him]

How were the lines? I swore I would never go to US unless I stayed in one of their hotels because of their front of the line policy.


Well like everything else...the place filled up at noon but if you get there early its walk on...we did everything with no lines at all except that 10 min wait at Earthquake. If you stay there you have an automatic fast pass right? But you pay a lot to stay there....$200-$300/night

Elizabeth wanted to ride the roller coaster so we got in line for that…hot hot hot.

Which one?

It was the Woody Woodpecker Coaster....it was a kiddie variety... very similiar to the Barnstormer. I think we waited like 15 min for this one but it was pretty late at this point.
Was it like that until the end of your vacation?

Poor Sneaks got filed away in the trashcan when we got back to the hotel room..fortunately DH had another pair of shoes...dock shoes I think...otherwise I told him he was going to have to buy a pair of pink crocs!!!
That is very strange. So strange that I had to read that to Rob who "squinched" up his nose. He said, well she did she is was "un-Disney" and she wasn't in Disney. Still, it is a family park!

Keep up the great updates!!!!![/QUOTE]

Glad I wasn't over-reacting to C. George...sometimes I can be snooty about things for kids if they dont measure up standard-wise as I am sure you are too. This was just weird

I only have a few more days to write and then I am done

 

[twob4him]

Sounds like you all had a fun time at US.

DH likes it a lot and I thought I had a good time too....I am such a Disney nut that that Magic was definately missing....if I had to pick I would go with Disney of course. If you have the time and older kids, its worth the ride over there though

Cathy US sounds good but as you said more for the older kids. How funny about your DH's trainer falling apart hope he had some more or did you get him some crocs Love how you get your late night hot tub soaks in Lovely POR photos,brings back memories

Ya....I told him he had to get a pair of pink crocs....but he did have another pair of shoes so...
Don't you just so want to go back right now.....you are less than a month now right??

 

[puggymom]

hey Cathy, getting all caught up here. You should have gone into Cheescake. They have lots of yummy treats non-cheesecake variety. I can vouch for the chocolate chip cookies and the peanut butter ones too