To ATL and back:Disney Kids survive Snowpocalypse '11~4 month update

[natebenma]

Joining in!

I'm only on page 1 of your report, but I'm loving your family trip so far. How fun, and frustrating, to share this with your brothers! And to share the good, the bad and the ugly with us!

Very cute photos! I can see why you love the one with Stitch. It's great that you all are willing to get into the Disney spirit!

So nice of you to pass along some magic to the sad litle boy. Unfortunately, at the Happiest Place on Earth, you encounter some situations where it seems that nothing can overcome emotions brought on by sure exhaustion except for unexpected generosity like that.

I look forward to catching up with more of your trip.

 

[AprilRenee]

Fun update! My little girl fell in love with a toddler version of pin trading, so I am hoping I can get my hands on some good trading ones soon. She tends to keep the ones she likes - pretty much ones with Minnie Mouse on it and some with a princess. So your pin trading/stalking stories were so amusing!

As for ADRs, places we have enjoyed in the past:
Boma (dinner buffet)
Le Chefs de France
Kona (at dinner, although I would love to try their macadamia nut pancakes. However, I absolutely LOVE their sweet bread and macadamia nut butter at dinner)
Ohana (timed so we could also watch Wishes or the Electrical Water Parade from the windows)

Aww! I bet she's pretty cute pin trading!

Thanks for the ADR recommendations! We had so many people suggest Boma, I checked it out and it looks great! So I made an ADR for Saturday night! Yay!
I didn't know you could watch Wishes from Ohana...don't know how I missed that. DH wanted to do CA Grill to see Wishes but we decided it wasn't worth the 2 credits to us this trip. We will probably do it sometime though.

I'd vote for Boma instead of Kona on your AK day. We've never tried either, though so that's not based on anything but what I've read. If you can get what you what from Kona at CS anyway, it sounds like a better way to go to me. That said, Chefs de France is the one TS place I wanted to try this last AP year and never made it to. Remy just looks so cute! But if the menu doesn't look good to you... I dunno! Good luck figuring this out. Choosing ADRs can be so overwhelming sometimes!

Yep! We decided to do Boma. Everyone had such high praise and I was able to get a ADR for a good time. So I just switched our WPE dinner plans to a different day and got an ADR for Boma on Saturday. I'm pretty excited about it now! It'll be fun to try some new things...but it's a buffet and has like mac and cheese and spaghetti as well just in case we don't enjoy the ethnic foods. So we won't starve either way!

ADRs were pretty easy to choose at first cause I had a little list of my top 5 places I wanted to try once we got the chance. So I just had to pick park days and go for it. That was fun. It did get stressful once I decided to change things around! Hopefully this will be the only change I make. I'm really happy with the rest of my ADRs. They're all places that I've been wanting to try for a while! I'm so excited that we get to do it this trip!

Joining in!

I'm only on page 1 of your report, but I'm loving your family trip so far. How fun, and frustrating, to share this with your brothers! And to share the good, the bad and the ugly with us!

Very cute photos! I can see why you love the one with Stitch. It's great that you all are willing to get into the Disney spirit!

So nice of you to pass along some magic to the sad litle boy. Unfortunately, at the Happiest Place on Earth, you encounter some situations where it seems that nothing can overcome emotions brought on by sure exhaustion except for unexpected generosity like that.

I look forward to catching up with more of your trip.

Thanks for coming over! I've been enjoying your TR too!

 

[AprilRenee]

Thanks for the dining suggestions everyone!! Since lots of people suggested Boma we went ahead and switched our WPE dinner plans to Thursday and got an ADR for Boma on Saturday night! We're excited! Thanks again! That's a place I never would have picked on my own but I think we'll really enjoy it! And I'm excited to get to see AKL and maybe check out the Savannah from the lobby if possible!

 

[Merida]

Just found your trip report and catching up!

I'm debating getting some pins to try trading, but it seems kind of hit or miss to me. There's some I really, really love but the rest I'm kind of meh on (and the Vinylmations aren't my thing either. Too plasticy?) Did you enjoy it?

 

[Tink2Day]

Just joining in (I think) and catching up.


Great report and pictures so far. What a cute family you all are.

 

[AprilRenee]

Just found your trip report and catching up!

I'm debating getting some pins to try trading, but it seems kind of hit or miss to me. There's some I really, really love but the rest I'm kind of meh on (and the Vinylmations aren't my thing either. Too plasticy?) Did you enjoy it?

I'm so glad you're joining in (and not just lurking! )

I do really enjoy it (not as much as DH) but I think it's fun! I whine about it on this TR but that's cause with Andrew and Elliott being obsessed and Oliver and Avery pretty into it, we were stopping all the time! When it's just me and DH we "window shop" and we'll look at CM lanyards as we walk past and only stop if we see something that catches our eye. But part of the fun is that it gives you a reason to talk to CMs and we've meet some pretty cool people! I also just like seeing all the different kinds of pins. I think it would be totally worth finding yourself a lot of 10 or so pins on ebay and trying it out. You'd only be out $10-15 and you might really enjoy it!

 

[AprilRenee]

Just joining in (I think) and catching up.


Great report and pictures so far. What a cute family you all are.

Haha! I also sometimes can't remember if I've read a TR before!! LOL

Thanks for joining in "officially"

 

[natebenma]

I have made it to page 3 so far, so I will comment on your HS and EPCOT days-

But first, I am going to applaud your decision to follow everyone's advice to book Boma. One of our favorites! Checking out AKL is fun, too!

That is a major bummer about Andrew and RNR- it sounds like it hit him really hard, but it is good that you waited for him at the Great Movie Ride and were rewarded with the Western Scene!!! We had that scene on our 2010 trip, for the first time- we went right through the gangster door and I was SO excited!!!

Lights Motor Action must be so much better in cooler weather. We saw it in July. HOT!

I love your Stormtrooper and Darth Meet & Greet!

We stayed at All Star Movies in August 2008- it was during Tropical Storm Faye. We had some issues with the resort- if you can believe it, the pool was actually too cold in August!!! (maybe due to all the rain). Plus, they started a renovation of the hallways to the food court while we were there, forcing us to walk around the OUTSIDE of the building to the bus stops, during a several day period of non-stop rain. Could they not have waited to start this project until after this forecasted major storm had gone through?

Great opening pictures from EPCOT! We stay at the Beach Club now, so we enter from the International Gateway and haven't seen the characters at rope drop.

Sunshine seasons is one of our favorite places to eat. So many different, wonderful choices.

That was really nice of you to give away your Soarin' fast passes- What a score for the guests you found. We have done that with Toy Story FP and also some at MK. It is harder than you would think to give them away. A lot of times we find people who don't speak English. Or guests who think you are trying to scam them somehow.

Nice spot for Illuminations. I'm filing that away in my memory bank!

 

[tigger536]

Looking your report!

Being from Atlanta, I am well acquainted with the snowpocalpse (a little too well ) so I'm interested in hearing about how it impacted your vacation.

Great report so far!

 

[Merida]

I'm so glad you're joining in (and not just lurking! )

I do really enjoy it (not as much as DH) but I think it's fun! I whine about it on this TR but that's cause with Andrew and Elliott being obsessed and Oliver and Avery pretty into it, we were stopping all the time! When it's just me and DH we "window shop" and we'll look at CM lanyards as we walk past and only stop if we see something that catches our eye. But part of the fun is that it gives you a reason to talk to CMs and we've meet some pretty cool people! I also just like seeing all the different kinds of pins. I think it would be totally worth finding yourself a lot of 10 or so pins on ebay and trying it out. You'd only be out $10-15 and you might really enjoy it!

What I was thinking would be neat to do was collect ~10 of our favorites and then frame them (like people do with butterflies?) So I'm really debating it because I love looking at them but don't really want to pay for them and have no real idea what I'd do with them when I get home. What are the pin books at guest services?

 

[AprilRenee]

What I was thinking would be neat to do was collect ~10 of our favorites and then frame them (like people do with butterflies?) So I'm really debating it because I love looking at them but don't really want to pay for them and have no real idea what I'd do with them when I get home. What are the pin books at guest services?

That's exactly what DH wants to do with some of his favorite collections. I think he's planning on putting them up in his office at work.

The pin books are guest services are pretty much just that! They have binders with felt pages in them with tons of pins pinned to the felt pages. They're like the pin boards in the resort gift shops (if you've seen those) except in a book. They have the same rules as the pin boards too. You can trade 2 pins per person from the book/board.
Each park has either a pin board or book in at least 1 location. I think some parks had 2. DTD has 1 in guest services too.

If you haven't seen a pin board, they're just corkboards (maybe 3 ft by 2 ft) with pins stuck in them. Each resort gift shop has one. We almost always hit the pin board on our way out in the morning and on our way in at night.

For both the boards and the books, you have to go in and just ask to see it. They don't usually have them sitting out. Some resorts only have their boards out at certain times (they have the times posted by the checkout).

Hope that helps! We learned a lot in our last 2 trips!

 

[Dugette]

Coming out of lurkdom to say hi!

Glad to hear that you got Boma on your AK day. Perfect, as AK usually closes early and AKL is so close-by. And Boma is great. We went there for dinner once (back in Sept. 09) and really enjoyed it. And, yes, they do have some mac and cheese and nuggets too (which I tried!) Save room for desserts also...like Zebra Domes and much more!

For sure, check out AKL and the savanna while you're there. Also, I'm not sure what time your ADR is, but if it's dark when you leave, you can go outside and follow the signs for the night vision goggles. It's free to anyone to check out the animals with them. We did that one night and it was pretty cool (although there were only a few animals out for us).

Enjoying the TR!

 

[AprilRenee]

Coming out of lurkdom to say hi!

Glad to hear that you got Boma on your AK day. Perfect, as AK usually closes early and AKL is so close-by. And Boma is great. We went there for dinner once (back in Sept. 09) and really enjoyed it. And, yes, they do have some mac and cheese and nuggets too (which I tried!) Save room for desserts also...like Zebra Domes and much more!

For sure, check out AKL and the savanna while you're there. Also, I'm not sure what time your ADR is, but if it's dark when you leave, you can go outside and follow the signs for the night vision goggles. It's free to anyone to check out the animals with them. We did that one night and it was pretty cool (although there were only a few animals out for us).

Enjoying the TR!

Yay!!! Glad to have you here officially!

I was just (like 2 minutes ago) talking to Andrew about how excited I am about Boma. I NEVER EVER would have picked that restaurant from a list but after hearing so many good things about it I'm SUPER excited! And yes, I saw that Zebra Domes are on the menu and I fully intend to save room for desert. I saw a pic on someone's TR of a plate full of deserts and they ALL look yummy!! I might just get my plate full of desert first and then sit it on the table in front of me so that I don't forget about it!

Thanks for the tip about the night vision goggles! That sounds awesome! We'll definitely check those out! Our ADR is at 5:40p and it'll be Jan so it should be dark by the time we get out.

 

[natebenma]

Yeah, I'm all caught up!

Animal Kingdom-

I have only been there in July and August and it is so darned HOT! I think it would be nice in the winter, especially with the low crowds. But from your pictures, those were scary low crowds, like where are the people???

We are not big fans of ITTBAB either. We did take the kids a few years ago and didn't warn them about the scuttling and stinging insects. Darn, missed out on Mother of the Year, yet again! The boys did ok, but it is heartbreaking to hear the poor little kids who are screaming and crying in terror. How is that fun?

Magic Kingdom-

I also love how the characters walk along with the crowds after the opening show to get to their posts. I watched Mary Poppins haul butt up Main Street in high heels - I don't know how she was moving so quickly! (magic?)

GREAT parade location and I agree- the photos are FANTASTIC!!!

What fun character interactions you are having.

Jungle Cruise- have you seen/heard the Weird Al song "Skipper Dan and the Jungle Cruise Ride?" This cracks me up! It is about a classically trained actor who ends up working as a CM on the Jungle Boats.

Hollywood Studios- love your pictures from Fantasmic, too!

EPCOT- I'm glad you and Andrew had some alone time at EPCOT.

And finally- how exciting with the deals on your upcoming trip! GREAT airfare!!!

I love your dining plans, too!

 

[AprilRenee]

Yeah, I'm all caught up!

Animal Kingdom-

I have only been there in July and August and it is so darned HOT! I think it would be nice in the winter, especially with the low crowds. But from your pictures, those were scary low crowds, like where are the people???


Our first trip was in May and we pretty much decided that we never want to go in the heat ever again. Jan was just so pretty and comfortable. Yep. MUCH MUCH better!!

It was kinda creepy. Especially first thing in the morning. The longer we were there the more people arrived. But it was never very crowded.


We are not big fans of ITTBAB either. We did take the kids a few years ago and didn't warn them about the scuttling and stinging insects. Darn, missed out on Mother of the Year, yet again! The boys did ok, but it is heartbreaking to hear the poor little kids who are screaming and crying in terror. How is that fun?

Magic Kingdom-

I also love how the characters walk along with the crowds after the opening show to get to their posts. I watched Mary Poppins haul butt up Main Street in high heels - I don't know how she was moving so quickly! (magic?)

GREAT parade location and I agree- the photos are FANTASTIC!!!

What fun character interactions you are having.

Jungle Cruise- have you seen/heard the Weird Al song "Skipper Dan and the Jungle Cruise Ride?" This cracks me up! It is about a classically trained actor who ends up working as a CM on the Jungle Boats.

Yes!! Elliott sent me the link not too long ago for that song! Funny!!

Hollywood Studios- love your pictures from Fantasmic, too!

EPCOT- I'm glad you and Andrew had some alone time at EPCOT.

And finally- how exciting with the deals on your upcoming trip! GREAT airfare!!!

I love your dining plans, too!

See responses in blue above

 

[mike the canuck]

Awesome TR! Looks like a super fun trip. I have enjoyed reading and following along It has helped my days at work go by quicker. lol

 

[bizeemom4]

(This is my favorite part about this parade spot. You have a perfect shot of each float with the castle in the background!)

(Cont. next post)

I love these parade pics! I have to say that I've been to MK a zillion times and I have always sat on the opposite side of the street from this vantage point. Had I known what I was missing, I would have been where you took these photos a long time ago. Stunning! I'm definitely trying this spot in December!

 

[AprilRenee]

Awesome TR! Looks like a super fun trip. I have enjoyed reading and following along It has helped my days at work go by quicker. lol

Haha! I'm glad that I'm able to distract you from work!

I love these parade pics! I have to say that I've been to MK a zillion times and I have always sat on the opposite side of the street from this vantage point. Had I known what I was missing, I would have been where you took these photos a long time ago. Stunning! I'm definitely trying this spot in December!

We LOVE this spot! The sled has 2 benches and we've been able to walk up 15-30 min before the parade starts and grab a seat. They're GREAT!!! No one thinks you can sit up there until you do!

 

[Merida]

That's exactly what DH wants to do with some of his favorite collections. I think he's planning on putting them up in his office at work.

The pin books are guest services are pretty much just that! They have binders with felt pages in them with tons of pins pinned to the felt pages. They're like the pin boards in the resort gift shops (if you've seen those) except in a book. They have the same rules as the pin boards too. You can trade 2 pins per person from the book/board.
Each park has either a pin board or book in at least 1 location. I think some parks had 2. DTD has 1 in guest services too.

If you haven't seen a pin board, they're just corkboards (maybe 3 ft by 2 ft) with pins stuck in them. Each resort gift shop has one. We almost always hit the pin board on our way out in the morning and on our way in at night.

For both the boards and the books, you have to go in and just ask to see it. They don't usually have them sitting out. Some resorts only have their boards out at certain times (they have the times posted by the checkout).

Hope that helps! We learned a lot in our last 2 trips!

The pin boards/books sound more fun than cast members - I can never shake the feeling that I shouldn't really bother them since I hate being bothered at work. And there's more choice! Do you think they get less picked over than cast members' lanyards? I've certainly never heard of pin boards and I feel like I've read a zillion threads on pin trading, scrappers, etc. Thanks for the info!

It's Tough to Be a Bug is my least favorite Disney attraction ever - even worse than Stitch in my opinion. I go to Disney to get away from bugs (I don't want to know why there are no bugs in Disney, I just enjoy it quietly!), not be entertained by them!

 

[LoriH91]

Joining in late!! I just love that you took your teenage brothers!! I was so worried about our oldest last year. He makes a point of not liking anything, just to annoy us, but he's already talking about wanting to go back! Ok, now I'm off to catch up. I'm on page 2, I think!

Oh, and pm me if you have questions about transferring to blogspot!

ETA: I also have a question about the meds for nervous stomach? Can you tell me what it is? OTC or scrip, etc. My 10 year old daughter has the same problem & we're trying anything we can do to help her! It sometimes gets so bad that she can't sleep.