Trip Report!!! (March 21-28)

[Amandas4]

I'm not good at writing but I'll try. Here goes:

The cast:
DH:

Me:

ODS:

YDS:

ODD:

YDD:

There was also Grandpa, one of my sisters and a handful of cousins:

But we hardly ever saw them.

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[Amandas4]

Day 1: Travel day.
We picked up our rental car at 9am, brought it home, and loaded up. I was hoping to get on the road by 10 so I had everything organized to put in as soon as the van was there to load. Unfortunately it still took as a while to load and we didn't get going till 10:30. We piled into the van, said a prayer and were on our way! I had a wrapped gift for each of the kids to open along the way. The first one was for YDD. She opened the first season of Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers. We popped in the first disk and everyone settled in.
2 hours later we had gone a whole 30 miles!!! It was snowing and everyone forgot how to drive. We passed one accident after another. All minor fender benders but they still slowed traffic way down. Once we got farther south the snow cleared and it was a lovely drive.
I am a scheduler so the 2 hour delay kind of messed me up but we dealt with it. We stopped in Charleston, WV for lunch. We got lost trying to find the Cracker barrel. We get lost a lot. It's like the only time DH and I really fight. He's terrible at giving directions and I'm not good at following them. (I do most of the driving BTW) We finally got to the restaurant and had a nice lunch despite the difficulty in understanding our waiter. It's amazing how quickly accents change when driving from one state to another.
After lunch it was time for ODD to open her present. FROZEN!!! yay! So the kids watched Frozen, I took a brief nap, and DH drove for a while. Here's another frustration of mine, that will be kind of a running theme for the whole trip: DH is a diabetic, he drinks a LOT, and he has to use the bathroom a LOT. So we basically get to see every. single. rest stop on every trip we take. We only really get to go for maybe an hour and a half before he has to stop again. GRRRRR!
We had planned on stopping in Savannah, GA for the night but since we had lost so much time at the beginning, and then getting lost in WV, and the crazy number of bathroom breaks, we were running WAY behind. So be grabbed the kids some lunchables and just kept on driving till we couldn't drive anymore. We enjoyed the satellite radio in the van. we listened to the kids station that was doing a Muppets thing. The DJ was interviewing Kermit the Frog and they were talking about Ricky Gervais. Kermit said that Gervais is old english for jerk-face. That became running joke through the whole trip. Some people can be real Gervaises.
We got tired of driving around 11pm so we stopped in Walterboro, SC. We were in bed by midnight.

 

[Jeepin Dad]

Looking forward to reading it. We were at the Fort the same week, I'm going to start putting our trip report together either tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Rland8228]

Day 1: Travel day. We picked up our rental car at 9am, brought it home, and loaded up. I was hoping to get on the road by 10 so I had everything organized to put in as soon as the van was there to load. Unfortunately it still took as a while to load and we didn't get going till 10:30. We piled into the van, said a prayer and were on our way! I had a wrapped gift for each of the kids to open along the way. The first one was for YDD. She opened the first season of Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers. We popped in the first disk and everyone settled in. 2 hours later we had gone a whole 30 miles!!! It was snowing and everyone forgot how to drive. We passed one accident after another. All minor fender benders but they still slowed traffic way down. Once we got farther south the snow cleared and it was a lovely drive. I am a scheduler so the 2 hour delay kind of messed me up but we dealt with it. We stopped in Charleston, WV for lunch. We got lost trying to find the Cracker barrel. We get lost a lot. It's like the only time DH and I really fight. He's terrible at giving directions and I'm not good at following them. (I do most of the driving BTW) We finally got to the restaurant and had a nice lunch despite the difficulty in understanding our waiter. It's amazing how quickly accents change when driving from one state to another. After lunch it was time for ODD to open her present. FROZEN!!! yay! So the kids watched Frozen, I took a brief nap, and DH drove for a while. Here's another frustration of mine, that will be kind of a running theme for the whole trip: DH is a diabetic, he drinks a LOT, and he has to use the bathroom a LOT. So we basically get to see every. single. rest stop on every trip we take. We only really get to go for maybe an hour and a half before he has to stop again. GRRRRR! We had planned on stopping in Savannah, GA for the night but since we had lost so much time at the beginning, and then getting lost in WV, and the crazy number of bathroom breaks, we were running WAY behind. So be grabbed the kids some lunchables and just kept on driving till we couldn't drive anymore. We enjoyed the satellite radio in the van. we listened to the kids station that was doing a Muppets thing. The DJ was interviewing Kermit the Frog and they were talking about Ricky Gervais. Kermit said that Gervais is old english for jerk-face. That became running joke through the whole trip. Some people can be real Gervaises. We got tired of driving around 11pm so we stopped in Walterboro, SC. We were in bed by midnight.

I know us diabetics are a pain lol. I am type one and that was biggest concern last year while driving down. I made sure my numbers were also in good shape and never drank anything on the way down but a sip here and there. We become worse than the kids asking if we are there yet

 

[Amandas4]

I try not to hold it against him. But seriously he goes WAY more than all of the kids put together.

 

[Rland8228]

I try not to hold it against him. But seriously he goes WAY more than all of the kids put together.

That is why we pushed our trip back and are picking our new to us travel trailer. I'm up at least three to four times a night. And walking back and forth to the comfort station no thank you lol.

 

[flafan]

subscribing - Can not wait to hear more

 

[bama_ed]

A trip report. I'm in!

Bama Ed

 

[Disneypeach]

reading along!
Peach

 

[EnchantedSurprise]

 

[Amandas4]

Day 2
I set my alarm for 6:30 and I'm proud to say, I actually got up at 6:30. It helped that I barely slept due to the 6yr old taking up 95% of the bed and kicking me in the side. I turned on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to gently rouse the others. I had already gotten out everyone clothes the night before so it was easy to get dressed and everyone was ready to go by 7am. Except the baby. Nothing wakes that child if she doesn't want to be woken. So I sent the others on to breakfast. (Yay for hotels that provide breakfast!) I got everything ready to go back in the car and poked the baby every once in a while.
They didn't take long at breakfast and all they brought me was one mini muffin, what the heck?! I had them load the car and then it was time for our last gift.
I forgot to mention that the 3rd gift was opened the evening before by YDS. It was a couple of travel games. I kinda blocked out the memory because our YDS is on the Autism spectrum and tends to freak out about things that no other person would freak out about. So they started playing the new games and he would scream and cry every time the car would bump. He melted down quick and became frantic that he was going to lose pieces. We eventually had to take the games away. So that wasn't such a great memory.
Anyways, it was about 7:30, the car was loaded and it was time for ODS to open the last gift. The baby was still asleep so they had to be quiet.

I don't know how to embed a video or I'd share the video of him opening the present.
The gift was the Magic Bands and Disney gift cards. It was pretty funny because he had no idea what they were. He looked at the boxes and says "What are magic bands?" Then he noticed that the boxes say Walt Disney World. That's when he got it. Since the baby was still asleep it was a very quiet riot that followed. Once they were all done dancing around, 6yr old DD says "You went to Disney World?" Sigh, lol. I said "No, that's where we're going. Right now. Today!" Then she got it.
After that I finally managed to get the baby up and moving, we loaded into the van and were on our way again by 8am.
We were still 5 hours out, which was farther than I wanted to be but the trip went smoothly. The kids watched Frozen again, and then Star Wars: Episode IV. There were of course a few bathroom stops . Then we hit the outskirts of Orlando and holy traffic batman!!!! We spend HOURS stuck in this traffic. We passed the insane line of cars headed into Universal, yikes! And at 2pm we finally made it to WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!!! I was driving so no pictures of the gates or anything.

 

[stobaugh6]

Sounds great so far! My 9 year old DS has type 1 diabetes to I understand the need for frequent bathroom breaks. Can't wait to read more!!

 

[snowmedic]

 

[Bayoumama]

I'm on board. Can't wait to hear more !!

 

[Amandas4]

Sorry for the delay. I'm crazy busy during the last few weeks of school.

Day 2, part 2.
We made it!!! It only took a few minutes to get checked in and find our campsite. Site 2060! The rental pop-up was already set up and everything. We could have just told the kids that this was the park and they would have been happy.
We used Fort Camper rental and I would recommend them to anyone!!! They provided everything we needed including toys and DVDs for the kids and sidewalk chalk.

First impressions of Fort Wilderness. LOVE IT!!! It was super crowded but because it's so spread out it didn't really bother me. The people driving around in regular cars made me nervous because of all the kids out in the street around the loop. The golf carts didn't bother me though. I think it'd be super fun to have a golf cart. Our site we really close to the comfort station which was nice (and what I asked for) It made it so much easier with the kids to let them just go by themselves and not worry about having to go with them. The comfort stations were lovely and clean.

And who doesn't love short kid sized sinks!!! I'll have more impressions later on when we actually get to look around the more of the camp ground.
After the kids decorated our site and we unloaded the car, we headed to a grocery store for food. I had every meal planned so it wasn't hard to get what we needed and get out. While we were shopping my Dad finally called so we went and picked him up at his resort. He was staying at the All star music resort. I wanted to look around but we didn't. I've never stayed on-site before so this was all kind of new for us.
After picking up Grandpa we went back to our campsite to unload groceries.
And the kids decided to load Grandpa up with pinecones.

He had quite a few before they were done. Grandpa was waiting for my Sister and her kids to get in or he would have taken the kids to go do something. Instead we decided to go to Downtown Disney to explore a little. We took the bus all together and then Grandpa took a bus back to his resort. It was probably the only time he rode the buses while he was there. He drove the rest of the week. Silly.

DTD was a mad house!!!! Just trying to walk was difficult. Our magic bands hadn't worked earlier at the Fort so we were told to go to guest services at DTD to make sure they were working. This was not good advice. I stood in line forever, while DH took the kids to the Lego store. Then when I finally got some help, they said they couldn't do anything and told me to go to the check in desk at Fort Wilderness. Ugh. So we tried to walk through some of the stores, we talked about getting a drink until we saw the insane lines. We walked over towards T-Rex and then walked back to the bus stop over by the marketplace. We didn't know there is a bus stop on the other side too.
The experience at DTD, and then being stuck in traffic on the bus for a good 45 minutes, are what started my panic attack. I was scared that it was going to be that way the whole week, that it wasn't going to be any fun being stuck in huge crowds all the time and that we had mad a huge mistake by coming. I was also nervous about how comfortable I was going to be sleeping in the pop-up. I have sleep issues so any kind of change gives me anxiety.
Once we got back to camp, we were planning on making grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. There was no counter space to put the griddle so I kind of had to balance it over the sink and keep the kids away from it. Then I stupidly asked DH to find a sauce pan for the soup. I should know better than to ask him to find anything. 12 years and I haven't learned a thing. He insisted there were no pots or pans. Grrrr. (there was, but he didn't look hard enough) So the kids just had sandwiches. I was feeling sick and still in panic mode so I didn't eat anything. We cleaned up dinner and got ready for bed. I set out clothes for the next day. My sister called just as I was laying down, they were headed to a park, lol. We settled in and then Wishes started. I loved listening to it and we were all sound asleep (me included) by the time it was over.

 

[EnchantedSurprise]

Thank you for this update! That is where I am renting from and I love reading even more positive reviews.

You could hear Wishes? How cool

 

[Amandas4]

Day 3 Part 1
Our first park day!
I slept well, despite DH getting up at least three times to go to the comfort station, and losing the key each time. I woke up crazy early though, like before 5am, and was totally wanting to get out of bed and get going. I knew DH would kill me though so I waited. At 5:30, after DH got back from the bathroom the 4th time, i decided I couldn't wait anymore. I went and took a shower.
I woke everyone up, everyone had breakfast and was dressed by 7 or 7:30. Then I had to do the baby's hair. She's not quite 3 so hair takes a little time.
We decided to drive this morning because I had actually planned on being at the park by 7 and I wasn't sure when the buses started running.
So we drove over to the Magic Kingdom. Not as easy as you'd think from the Fort there are a few u-turns. Or maybe I just did it wrong.
Anyways. We parked pretty close, and hopped on the Ferry. the ferry is much easier when you have a stroller, I have found. We got our bags inspected, and through the turnstiles by 8:30.

We bought the Memory maker+ so we took full advantage of all the photo-ops.
Then a couple of kids had to go potty DH took them back out while me and the other two kids played around.
DH and the kids came back just in time for the Welcome show. I really wanted to enjoy the show but it was seriously bugging me that two of the girls were wearing the same color. All the rest of them were different, and all the guys were different. That would be my OCD showing. Yep, Anxiety and OCD, it's a wonder I ever leave the house.
So as soon as the rope dropped, we were headed to Adventure land. We had two days for the Magic Kingdom so I planned all our FP's on the Adventure land/Frontier land side of the park. Our first FP wasn't till almost 11 so we had time for some other things. First thing: Pirates of the Caribbean!
If there is any wisdom I can impart on anyone thinking of going to WDW, it's this: Get to the parks EARLY!! Despite it being spring break and crazy busy. We walked on a number of rides every day just because we were early.
So we rode Pirates. Then we did the Jungle Cruise, then Aladdin's flying carpets.

It was in line for the magic carpets that someone took a picture of YDD the first time. It happened several times during our trip, sometimes people asked me first if they could take a picture. Sometimes they didn't. I'm not really sure how I feel about that.
So After the Flying Carpets, we did the Tiki room. Not one of my favorites but DH and YDD love it.

 

[airforcemomof2]

Hoping there is more!

 

[Amandas4]

I'm back!!! Sorry it was finals week for me, and DH's finals are next week so he has the computer writing papers all the time.

Day 3 part 2
After the Tiki Room it was time for our first Fast pass. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I went with 6yr old DD and 11yr old DS while DH stayed with 3yr old DD and 9yr old DS. DD was nervous for some reason even though she went on this ride twice last year and loved it. I mentioned that this was our first fast pass of the day. It was also our longest wait so far that day. We hadn't waited more than a couple minutes for anything that morning and then our "Fast Pass" had us waiting a good 20 minutes. Kinda silly. We of course loved the ride though. Always one of my favorites and I am NOT a roller coaster person. Disney coasters are different though.

Funny side story: While we were waiting for DH and YDS on Big Thunder, the other kids and I decided to have a snack. I got out an apple for YDD and handed it to her. While I was taking some pictures...

YDD was biting pieces off her apple chewing them up and spitting out the skin on the ground. It was gross and I didn't want her making a mess so I took her apple, bit all the skin off, and handed it back to her. I am not the kind of mother to cut off crusts or peel apples and here I am biting the skin off an apple so that my daughter will eat it. Crazy.

She devoured that apple after that....core and all!

After DH came back, it was already time for our next fast pass. Splash Mountain!! DH decided to go on this one first and took all of the older kids with him.

For some reason (I can't remember the actual reason, I'm sure I had one.) I decided I didn't want to do Splash Mountain so I switched my Fast Pass to see Mickey Mouse with YDD. Being able to switch fast passes on our phones was really convenient and we ended up doing it a lot.
So, while the others went on Splash Mountain YDD and I wandered around and ended up in line to see Aladdin and Jasmine. Character lines take sooooo long! We didn't do many Characters this time, for that very reason. So we weren't even anywhere near the front of the line when DH and the other kids came to meet us. YDD was getting tired of waiting but we had waited this long, I was seeing this thing through!!. Plus we weren't in any rush. So I stood in line while she did a little shopping.

Finally it was our turn!! This was my favorite character meeting of probably both of our trips in the last few years. Since ODD was there she got to meet them too.
Jasmine liked ODD's skirt and asked her to spin, something ODD LOVES to do anyways.

Jasmine also taught ODD how to pose.

Then ODD got to talking. I wasn't close so I have no idea what they were talking about but YDD was bored with it.

She sat down, so Aladdin sat with her while ODD and Jasmine talked and talked and talked. (No wonder the lines are long.) I loved that the Photo pass guy just kept taking pictures.

After Aladdin and Jasmine we didn't really have any plans till our next fast pass and that was an hour away. So we had a potty break, we had Turkey legs, and we tried on hats.
After relaxing for a bit, it was time for our next fast pass. The Haunted Mansion! I missed this one last time so I was excited! Once again YDD attracted attention in line. Some older people behind us just wanted to talk to her and play with her. She was tired by this time so she wasn't all that receptive to their attentions. YDD is a bit of a scaredy cat so she was not so sure about this ride. She rode with DH and held his arm tight. Right as we were going backwards through the hallway with all the slamming doors, the ride stopped. We sat there for about 10 minutes. I updated Facebook and DH got a migraine from the strobe lights. Good times.
Haunted Mansion had originally been our last fast pass that day but since I had changed one, we still had about 30 minutes till Mickey. We strolled through part of Fantasy land and saw that Mickey's Philharmagic was only a 5 minutes wait. We'd never done that one so we went. Poor DH was in a lot of pain by this time. YDD however, LOVED it.

After the show ODD and I HAD to walk through Castle couture. I was so against the whole Princess thing when they first started really marketing them. Now that I have daughters I am right there with them in their love for all things princessy. I really like the idea of the BBB but I'd never do it because I can do those hairstyles myself and I don't want my little girls wearing make-up. So as we walked though the princess wonderland a CM approached ODD and asked if she wanted some pixie dust in her hair. Of course she was all over that! (I finally washed the last of it out about a week ago.)
Then it was time to see Mickey the Mouse!!! DH went to the restroom (again), and the kids and I went over to Town Hall. I parked the older kids on a bench, told them not to move a muscle and as soon as I saw DH headed towards us, I took YDD to see her main Mouse. Of course I kept telling her we were going to see Mickey so when we had to wait she was NOT cool with that.

The CM's just loved her though. She was so excited. They gave her stickers and high fives. Finally it was our turn.

He talks now, so that's a little different.

She loved him just the same.

After Mickey Mouse and another potty break (yes, I know we just had one) We headed back to the Fort for lunch and naps.