Trip report of 8/12/04-8/19/04 land/sea package with link to pictures -- land portion

[byon_and_lara]

This is my first trip report, so bare with me while I try to remember details...

We are a family of 6...my husband, Byon, and our four kids, ages 14, 11, 6 and 14 months.

We flew the red eye flight the night before our package started. We hoped to sleep the entire flight, makes it easier especially with the baby. The kids slept. Byon and I were not so lucky. Thats OK, we were still charged and ready to start our Disney adventure. We arrived at Orlando at about 7am Thursday morning. Waited a few minutes for the Mears bus that took us to New Orlean's French Quarter.

We dropped off some stuff in the room and took took off to grab the bus to MGM. There were very little crowds when we first got there. We went on the movie ride (forget the name). It was something like "Small World meets Movieland Wax Museum" type ride. Neat. Then we went on the Backstage tour. Byon was asked to volunteer in the demo of making a movie with guys on a war ship. They outfited him in rain gear and dumped a ton on water on him. That was a lot of fun! Then the baby and I waited while the DH and the other kids went on Tower of Terror.

At this point it was getting crowded and we were hot and tired, so we went back to the room for a nap. We all got a good 3-4 hour nap and woke at 5pm or so and decided to head for the Magic Kingdom. We walked around a bit. We did the Winnie the Pooh ride, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Light Year and Space Mountain. Then we caught the firework show right before we left. Nice end to a busy day.

Friday Morning we decided to go to Blizzard Beach. We got there first thing in the morning and had the place practically to ourselves. It was great! Come to find out that all parks were to close at 1pm for the hurricane!! We had a great morning there and the boys (14 and 11) did all the big slides at least a half a dozen times each. We left the park just as they were closing.

Everyone was getting ready for the hurricane back at the hotel. There were long lines to get dinner before everything closed up. The huricane passed by as planned. We had a good view from our window. Lots of people partied on the balconies and kids were running and playing in the wind and rain in the open grass area. The huricane took down a lot of trees in the French Quarter...and everywhere.

Saturday morning we went back to the Magic Kingdom. The crowds were light and we went on Aladdins Carpet Ride, Splash Mountain (my favorite), Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and saw Mickey's Philharmonic (Loved That!!). Then we decided to head to Epcot for lunch.

We shared some British fish and chips and made it to Japan for some great curry and terriaki and then the rain started. Pouring. We made it back to the front of Epcot sopping wet and went on the Mission to Space ride before heading back to the hotel.

We changed to dry clothes and went to Downtown Disney for dinner (we had $50 in coupons at Planet Hollywood from the hotel). I took the baby and went shopping while Byon and the other kids hung out at Disney Quest (a virtual amuzement park with lots of video games).

Sunday Morning, we went to Animal Kingdom (it was closed due to the hurricane all day Friday and Saturday, so it was nice we had the option to go Sunday). We went straight to the Dinosaur ride and then saw the Lion King show. I would have like to see more of Animal Kingdom but so excited to start the cruise. We left for the bus transport to Port Canaveral at about 12:15pm.

to be continued...

pictures at www.garrabrant.com/disney

Lara

 

[njfamily]

Thanks for the trip report, waiting for you to add more. You have a beautiful family. Loved the picture of the baby sleeping on CC with the Wonder in the background.

 

[vikingfans]

I agree...that is a precious picture.

Wonderful family! Thanks for sharing...I'm ready to go!!!

 

[PattiPB]

Glad to see another Las Vegan on the boards!!!

Keep writing!!!!

 

[mississaugamom]

I had to read your trip report - it's so rare to find someone else named Lara!

(We chose it for our 8 yr old DD, never realizing that it was as uncommon as it's turned out to be - she's constantly disappointed at never finding anything with her name on it!)

DisneyWorld during a hurricane was certainly a unique event! We were there this time last year and had the effects of a "tropical depression". That was enough for me!

Your photos are amazing - you have a lovely family. Thanks so much for posting.

Arlene

 

[PaulDavid's mom]

I loved your pictures, but I absolutely LOVED the picture of your daughter asleep on the beach. That is priceless. I'm glad you all had a great time and were able to make the most of the time you were there despite the hurricane.

Kelly

 

[april riddle]

What great pictures! I loved the matching outfits for the kids - did your 14 year old balk at that? I don't think I could get either of my DS's to dress alike. They get irritated when they come down for school in the same colour tshirt.