Updated 9/13 - Plans Change with a 4 year old! A June 13-19 Trip Report

[Happy Elf]

We are back and had a wonderful trip! Hannah kept seeing things she wanted to do, so we got off track most days and went with the flow of the 4 year old!

Cast of Characters:
Me-Janell, a 32 year old teacher and Disney Nut!
DH-Ben, also 32 and loves Star Wars and works with model airplanes.

DD-Hannah, a 4 year old princess in the making. Full of life and at times attitude to go with that red hair! (that is her in the picture above during our trip in 2006)

DS-Owen, 11 months, and just learning to eat "big people" food and pulling himself up!

I plan to get the first part done tomorrow!

 

[MeMom]

When one gets up as early as I do, one gets to be first on trip reports!

Going with the flow of a four year old sounds perfect to me. I'm looking forward to seeing many pictures and hearing about all the family fun!

 

[Happy Elf]

Saturday, June 13, 2009-
We had a very, very early wake-up…2:45 am! The one nice thing was the interstate was empty! We used curb-side check-in because we had 3 checked bags, 3 carry-ons, and 2 strollers. It was easier and worth it! Plus when we got inside there was a huge line to check in! We had breakfast at McDonald’s. Pancakes for Hannah and Ben and I had McGriddles. The new airport in Indianapolis is nice. The security area is set up really well. They had a separate line for families and it was a relaxed and easy to get through security. Now I haven’t been thrilled with Northwest Airlines, as our flights have changed about 5-6 times since I booked the tickets, but they earned my respect this trip. We got seated on the plane and we had 2 soldiers sitting behind us, the flight attendant came and told them they had been upgraded to first class. I thought that was a very nice thing. Our flight to Detroit was short and sweet! The layover was short, just enough time to take a potty break, get a snack, and let the kids play in the play area for about 10-15 minutes. Our flight from Detroit to Orlando was fine. Hannah slept almost the whole way, and Owen slept about 45 minutes…basically his morning nap!

We got to Magical Express and got in line. The line moved quickly and we were soon on the bus to Pop Century. I was laughing on the bus because Hannah didn’t know whether to watch the Disney video or look out the window and she kept going back and fourth.

We made it to Pop Century and our room was ready! Yay! It was room 2942 in the 80’s section of the resort. We were very close to the elevator and the pool was right around the corner!

(I'm not sure why this one is so big, I've resized it about 3x in photobucket!)

 

[kschafer]

Reporting!

 

[Happy Elf]

Sorry the pictures are so big, but I'm too lazy to go resize all of them! The next ones should be smaller!

Next, we headed to the food court because it was about 2:30 and we were hungry! We grabbed a quick bite and then headed to Downtown Disney. Ben had a cheeseburger and I had the beef and broccoli. Hannah had chicken nuggets. Sorry no food porn, we were too hungry to take the time! These pictures were taken on our walk from the room to the food court.

Hannah spotted the carrousel and wanted to ride, so Ben took her for a ride. Then we did a little shopping at Once Upon a Toy, and the World of Disney. We looked around in Pooh Corner, the Lego Store and the Art of Disney.

Owen took a little nap because he was so tired!

Painting I would love to have!

Hannah wanted to see the gator!

 

[gumbo1009]

I too have a 4 yr old and am headed there with her in the Fall... -- I am looking forward to the remainder of your trip report!

 

[Happy Elf]

I too have a 4 yr old and am headed there with her in the Fall... -- I am looking forward to the remainder of your trip report!

Glad to have you along! Hannah was fun on the trip, but boy did she side-track my planning! I see you are going in October, I'm sure the weather will be cooler as well and that will help. The heat really took it out of us!

 

[Happy Elf]

After DTD, we headed back to Pop to take a swim. It was Owen’s first swim. He seemed to really enjoy it. I didn’t take any pictures of swimming because it was sprinkling.

After swimming, we had dinner at the food court. After dinner, we headed back to the room, but not before Hannah wanted to run in the Goofy fountain. I told Ben we should let her, because we were going right back to the room to get her PJ's on and her clothes would dry! She had a wonderful time!

After a dip with Goofy, we headed back to the room to get ready for bed. It had been a long day and we were tired! And the alarm would go off early the next morning...

 

[IluvXU]

Found you!

 

[MeMom]

After DTD, we headed back to Pop to take a swim. It was Owen’s first swim. He seemed to really enjoy it. I didn’t take any pictures of swimming because it was sprinkling.

After swimming, we had dinner at the food court. After dinner, we headed back to the room, but not before Hannah wanted to run in the Goofy fountain. I told Ben we should let her, because we were going right back to the room to get her PJ's on and her clothes would dry! She had a wonderful time!

[/SIZE]

Did she start out running around the edges, and then get closer and closer into the water? That's what Brooklynn does - several laps around the outskirts, then finally she ventures nearer to the action.

I know Hannah had a great time getting wet in her clothes. That's always fun for kids. I'm speculating that she slept well that night, too! Water play usually makes for a good night's sleep.

 

[Happy Elf]

Did she start out running around the edges, and then get closer and closer into the water? That's what Brooklynn does - several laps around the outskirts, then finally she ventures nearer to the action.

I know Hannah had a great time getting wet in her clothes. That's always fun for kids. I'm speculating that she slept well that night, too! Water play usually makes for a good night's sleep.

Yes, she started out around the edges then jumped right in! Oh, she slept great that night! I think we all just crashed into bed!

 

[Happy Elf]

Found you!

Yay! I hope you had a fantasic trip as well!

 

[kschafer]

I'm not sure how the last update missed my attention. Hannah looks like she is having a blast in the fountains. I think if it were just about my bedtime, I would jump in too!

Oh, and I like the bigger pictures personally

 

[Happy Elf]

Sunday, June 14, 2009-
We were up at 6:00 am that morning to get ready for Disney's Hollywood Studios and the last day of Star Wars Weekends! We had breakfast at the Pop food court and then we boarded the bus for DHS.
Once we got to DHS, Ben and Hannah headed straight to Star Tours, the Star Wars ride. Hannah was finally tall enough to ride and she was quite excited to ride with Daddy!

Hannah really enjoyed the ride! Ben said they waited about 20 minutes. I was surprised because people were EVERYWHERE in the Star Wars area. Ben enjoyed seeing the Star Wars characters all dressed up, but didn't want to wait in line. I would have liked to get Hannah's picture with Darth Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald, but she wasn't interested in waiting. R2-D2SPOILER AHEAD: Ben did think it was really neat to R2-D2 because he was RC and he saw the guy that was controlling him. I will say the guy was pretty was disguised, but Ben worked with RC airplanes, so he knew what to look for. He really wanted to talk to the guy, but didn't want to draw attention to him and ruin the magic for the kids.

 

[Happy Elf]

While they were doing that, Owen and I went to get Fastpasses for Toy Story Mania. After getting Fastpasses for around 1:45, Owen and I slowly wondered down the Streets of America. It was a peaceful walk because there was not many people there yet. We met back up with Ben and Hannah outside of Star Tours.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am here! Great trip report so far! Hannah and Owen are just too cute for words!

 

[MeMom]

I think all the signs in Hollywood Studios are cool.

Those white guys - are they good guys or bad guys?
I know nothing about Star Wars. When we were there during SWW last year, I thought they were up there to protect us, but then I think later my boys were talking when one of the movies was on TV, and I got the impression the white guys were on the bad team.

I thought I was really being protected that day, but instead I think maybe I was in extreme danger.

I bet Hannah felt so grown-up on this trip getting to do new things. How fun!

 

[Happy Elf]

I am here! Great trip report so far! Hannah and Owen are just too cute for words!

Thanks...I think they are pretty cute too, but I'm a little biased!

I think all the signs in Hollywood Studios are cool.

Those white guys - are they good guys or bad guys?
I know nothing about Star Wars. When we were there during SWW last year, I thought they were up there to protect us, but then I think later my boys were talking when one of the movies was on TV, and I got the impression the white guys were on the bad team.

I thought I was really being protected that day, but instead I think maybe I was in extreme danger.

I bet Hannah felt so grown-up on this trip getting to do new things. How fun!

The white guys...stormtroopers...are bad guys! They are with Darth Vader. Hannah loved being able to go on the big rides. She begged to go on Everest. I barely convinced her she was too little.

 

[Happy Elf]

After Star Tours, we headed to see Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage. Owen and Hannah both enjoyed this because it is their favorite cartoons brought to life! The whole family enjoyed the show.

Owen was just mesmerized and Hannah loved the bubbles! We really enjoyed the show, but we really wish they had benches for the adults.

 

[Happy Elf]

When the show was over, we headed outside and there was June from Little Ensteins. The wait was very short so we got in line.

We also saw Handy Manny, but his line was quite long and Hannah did NOT want to wait, she wanted to go see Ariel! I was sort of surprised because she really likes Handy Manny, but not as much as Ariel! But first we had to take a potty break. I changed Owen and Ben took Hannah, when Owen and I were done, we visited the little shop (sorry, I don't remember it's name) and got Owen some Mickey Ears. He let us get a couple of pictures, but then they came off his head!

So we headed to see The Voyage of the Little Mermaid! Hannah loved the show and Owen took a nap because it was nice and dark!

Ater our Voyage with Ariel we took a break and got Itzakoozies! Those are yummy huge popcicles! You will soon see the drippings on Hannah's shirt! While we were eating our Itzakoozies we decided where we wanted to eat lunch. We had planned on Pizza Planet, but it was around noon and knew it would be packed! So we went to Rosie's All-American Cafe and had burgers and fries. After lunch, it was time to use our Fastpasses for Toy Story Maina!



How do you change the title? I would like to tell people when I update, but don't know how to change the title. Thanks!!!