Updated 9/6**I must be crazy cause I took 5 kids to WDW alone! -

[debraW76]

I brought with me two touring plans for EPCOT. One for making rope drop and the other for sleeping in. After driving for 10 hours and staying up until 3 unpacking and getting comfortable, I made an executive decision to use the sleep-in touring plan. Jenna even volunteered to take the kiddos to the pool so that I could sleep in extra late.

Unfortunately that didn’t happen since I was the first one up at 7:00. I used the time to enjoy my coffee with Jenna and to chat with her. I learned that she works 18 hours a day, 7 days a week for 3 jobs. One of her jobs she uses a marketing tool.

Everyone, meet Certainty.

Certainty is Jenna’s mascot for one of her businesses. Certainty goes everywhere Jenna goes so she went to the parks with us. I was impressed by how well Certainty helped in opening doors for Jenna to talk about her business.

The kids woke up at 8:30 and found their Tink bags. They got some candy, gum, a compass, and a light up spinning toy. I gave them the choice of going swimming or going to EPCOT. They were all ready to go to the parks so I told them to get ready, eat breakfast, and pack their bags as quickly as possible. We were out the door by 10:00 and in EPCOT’s parking lot just 8 minutes later. I was floored by how close we were to Disney property without staying onsite.

After parking we split up – My niece and SIL rode the bus to DHS and Jenna, the kids and myself were staying in EPCOT. Tau immediately spotted the monorail and wanted to ride it so I promised we would before we left that day. Jenna still needed to buy her tickets so I told her we would just meet on the other side of the gate since I knew it would take a while to get all 5 kids through.

Now I need a backstory on our tickets. I purchased non-expiration tickets 2 years ago – some got 10 and others got 7 day tickets. We used 3 days our first trip. Then I took Chi back for her birthday and we each used two more days. When we went in October we got one day passes on our KttW cards and they had to split our stay between two rooms so we each got two one day passes. I thought I had kept a good count of how many days each person used and knew how many days each person had on each card and what was the most economical way to upgrade everyone to 4 day passes this trip.
​

Unfortunately when I got to the front of the line I soon discovered I had made a mistake somewhere because Delta and I didn’t have any days left on our paper tickets. To make it worse Chi and Alpha were on the other side of the gate. Luckily I had an understanding CM who allowed them to come back through the stroller entrance to stand by me while I figured everything out. Then we all got back in line and made it through the gate together. Whew!

We waited just a few minutes on Jenna to join us and finally we were ready to start our day!

EPCOT Continued...

 

[cmp1111]

Unfortunately that didn’t happen since I was the first one up at 7:00. I used the time to enjoy my coffee with Jenna and to chat with her.

Typical, but nice to have quiet time with your friend...

Unfortunately when I got to the front of the line I soon discovered I had made a mistake somewhere because Delta and I didn’t have any days left on our paper tickets.

Oh, no! But I'm glad you got it worked out. Sounds like a good start!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeah, anytime I think I am going to sleep in, it never happens!

Oh, no about the ticket snafu! So glad you got it straightened out and were able to make it through the gates!

 

[dd50]

I can't believe that CiCi's was closed. I thought those things only happen to me. I have also been there with a bunch of different tickets that I had figured out until I got there.

 

[Busymom85]

Great report. Can't wait for more.

 

[mobes_jk]

Bathrooms. This was a big deal for me and I had thought about it for a long time before leaving. Of course Tau still goes in with me. I wouldn't mind taking Delta and Omicron in with me but Alpha just seemed too old IMO. So we did let them go into the boys rooms.

On the drive down I just found the cleanest, brightest gas stations and took turns with my SIL standing outside the door. I always checked first to be sure there was only one entrance/exit and no windows. In the parks I tried to pick RR inside restaurants because those seem less busy. But when we did have to go inside the parks it was the same thing - just checking to be sure it only had one entrance/exit and just standing outside the door. I felt better knowing they were all together and they had to enter together and exit together. Hope this helps.

How old are your kids?

.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Looks like you guys are ready to start a wonderful day at Epcot. At least it didn't take you long to get the ticket situation straightened out.

 

[DisneyJo]

Glad you managed to get the tickets sorted and wow you were close

 

[debraW76]

Typical, but nice to have quiet time with your friend...

Oh, no! But I'm glad you got it worked out. Sounds like a good start!

Yes, I do enjoy quiet mornings

Yeah, anytime I think I am going to sleep in, it never happens!

Oh, no about the ticket snafu! So glad you got it straightened out and were able to make it through the gates!

well it was only straight for a day or two...

I can't believe that CiCi's was closed. I thought those things only happen to me. I have also been there with a bunch of different tickets that I had figured out until I got there.

Nope, stuff like that happens to us all the time. I *really* thought I had the tickets figured out and was quite surprised that the two didn't work.

Great report. Can't wait for more.

Thank you!

We'll have to do something similar for our upcoming trip, on which (thankfully) my MIL has decided to join us. One of us will just have to wait for the boys outside the door. As far as the ages of our kids is concerned, on our next trip we will have: DD12, DS8, DS6, and DD3. Our oldest is very responsible, but I don't know if I would have felt comfortable ever giving her that job. I can't say how glad I am to have my MIL join us!

Your trip report is off to a great start! I'm glad you were able to work out the ticket issue with minimal hassle, although it must have been a bit of a nuisance.

Having another adult did help a lot. I think I could have handled part of the trip alone. But really did need another adult for some of the time. At times when it was just me and one had to go to the bathroom I had no choice but to load everyone up and we all had to go together. Times like that would have been nice to have another adult to watch the other kids while I took the one to the potty (or if they would have all just went when I told them to but whaterver).

Do you have a PTR?

Looks like you guys are ready to start a wonderful day at Epcot. At least it didn't take you long to get the ticket situation straightened out.

Not too long.... this time....

Glad you managed to get the tickets sorted and wow you were close

All straightened out...for now...

 

[mobes_jk]

Do you have a PTR?

I'm not a very entertaining writer, so I've never done a PTR or TR. I probably should, however, since I never seem to be able to remember all the details. I really enjoy reading some of the great TRs here, though!

 

[debraW76]

After we all made it through the gate we waited on Jenna to join us. Then we headed straight to Soarin to get some FP. Then we road Living with the Land (5 minute wait). I haven't ridden this in years and really enjoyed it. I found it fascinating and was quite impressed with the technology behind 'farming'. Not having been raised on a farm myself it really opened my eyes to some of the science and engineering behind it.

Then we headed over to the Seas with Nemo and Friends. Chi was wearing her Auburn hat and received quite a few "War Eagles" on the way. She loved the attention!

I also had an interesting conversation with Omicron about the difference between Mission:Space and Spaceship Earth. It went like this

Mom, what is in that big ball?
Spaceship Earth
Is that the thing that has the green side and orange side?
No that is M:S
Where is M:S
Its on the other side of the park
Oh, are we going to ride it?
Yes
When?
Probably after lunch
What time?
I don't know what time exactly but I promise you we will ride it today.
OK
Is M:S inside that big ball
No that is SE
What is SE?
It's a ride about the history and future of the earth
Does it have the pilot, navigator, commander, and engineer?
No that is M:S
Where is that?
On the other side of the park
Are we going to ride SE
Yes
When?
after Nemo
I thought you said after lunch?
No that is M:S that we will ride after lunch
What is M:S?
That is the spaceship ride that has the different jobs you were just asking me about
Oh, then what is in the big white ball?
SE
Are we going to ride that?
Yes
When
After NEMO
What time will that be?
Listen I am going to tell you this one more time then I don't want you to ask me any more questions. OK? SE is inside that big white golf ball over there. It is a slow moving ride that shows you the history and future of the earth. We are going to ride that after NEMO. M:S is a different ride that is across the park that you cannot see right now. It is the one that has the two side (orange and green) and the 4 jobs that you have to push the buttons. We will ride that and TT after lunch today. I do not know what time it will be because it all depends on how long everything else takes.

This conversation was about 15 minutes long and we had it about 4 times that day!

Just before heading into the Seas Pavilian I looked up and admired the beautiful blue sky and thought to myself what a beautiful day it was!

We got in line for Nemo (10 minute wait) and then wandered around the Seas exhibit looking at the dolphins and sea turtles and other fish. I remembered the two times I went SCUBA diving in there and wished that I could go again. We kept an eye on the TUrtle Talk with Crush but everytime they were about to start a new show one of the kids had to go potty.

Eventually we made it to the dump shop and I looked out the door to see the pouring rain. Well that is Florida for ya! Unfortunately I left my planner on the stroller and forgot to put the cover on the stroller. I left the kiddos with Jenna while I ran outside to cover the stroller and to recover my planner (or what was left of it). Made it back to the shop and Omicron and Chi were buying them a webkinz. Tau by this time had collected about one of every bag of candy and I soon learned that he could not linger in gift shops anymore. I had to drag him out kicking and screaming because I wouldn't by that poor child 10 lbs of candy.

Soon it stopped raining and we made our way over to SE only to have the exact same conversation with Omicron that we had before. We walked on Spaceship Earth with no wait! After exiting, Jenna took the kids to the fountain while I got us FP for TT. Then we were headed to make our lunch ADR at Mahrakesh in Morocco. I wanted to be lazy and take the boat but just my luck the boat wasn't running so we walked around via Canada.

On our way I got a Text message from our friends (Nathan, Cheryl, and three kids Samual, Peter, & Clara) who were there that day. They were having lunch in France.

EPCOT...Continued

 

[DisneyJo]

The conversation with Omnicron is hysterical and you bad Mother you for not buying your poor little boy some candy

 

[cmp1111]

I also had an interesting conversation with Omicron about the difference between Mission:Space and Spaceship Earth. It went like this
This conversation was about 15 minutes long and we had it about 4 times that day!

You are a more patient person than I am .

Just before heading into the Seas Pavilian I looked up and admired the beautiful blue sky and thought to myself what a beautiful day it was!

Sounds ominous...

Eventually we made it to the dump shop and I looked out the door to see the pouring rain.

Yup, what I feared.

I had to drag him out kicking and screaming because I wouldn't by that poor child 10 lbs of candy.

Geez, mean mommy...

 

[lisalonglash]

I also had an interesting conversation with Omicron about the difference between Mission:Space and Spaceship Earth. It went like this

Sorry, but

This conversation was about 15 minutes long and we had it about 4 times that day!

Oh no, 4 times?!

Just before heading into the Seas Pavilian I looked up and admired the beautiful blue sky and thought to myself what a beautiful day it was!

Uh oh

Eventually we made it to the dump shop and I looked out the door to see the pouring rain. Well that is Florida for ya! Unfortunately I left my planner on the stroller and forgot to put the cover on the stroller. I left the kiddos with Jenna while I ran outside to cover the stroller and to recover my planner (or what was left of it). Made it back to the shop and Omicron and Chi were buying them a webkinz. Tau by this time had collected about one of every bag of candy and I soon learned that he could not linger in gift shops anymore. I had to drag him out kicking and screaming because I wouldn't by that poor child 10 lbs of candy.

Sorry for the rain! What a mean mommy you are for not letting that child have 10lbs of candy!

Soon it stopped raining and we made our way over to SE only to have the exact same conversation with Omicron that we had before. We walked on Spaceship Earth with no wait! After exiting, Jenna took the kids to the fountain while I got us FP for TT. Then we were headed to make our lunch ADR at Mahrakesh in Morocco. I wanted to be lazy and take the boat but just my luck the boat wasn't running so we walked around via Canada.

I walked around Canada today - and yesterday and the day before Marrakesh looks so interesting! I'd love to have a meal there someday

On our way I got a Text message from our friends (Nathan, Cheryl, and three kids Samual, Peter, & Clara) who were there that day. They were having lunch in France.

Ooooh, ooooh, I wanna have lunch in France! I hope you all had a great meet-up in Epcot!

 

[debraW76]

I'm not a very entertaining writer, so I've never done a PTR or TR. I probably should, however, since I never seem to be able to remember all the details. I really enjoy reading some of the great TRs here, though!

Oh, I didn't know you had to be an entertaining writer
I think you should give it a try anyways. Every TR is different and appeals to different people.

The conversation with Omnicron is hysterical and you bad Mother you for not buying your poor little boy some candy

TOld you my kids drove me crazy on this trip.

You are a more patient person than I am .



Sounds ominous...



Yup, what I feared.



Geez, mean mommy...

Oh, guess my foreshadowing wasn't subtle enough

Sorry, but



Oh no, 4 times?!



Uh oh



Sorry for the rain! What a mean mommy you are for not letting that child have 10lbs of candy!



I walked around Canada today - and yesterday and the day before Marrakesh looks so interesting! I'd love to have a meal there someday



Ooooh, ooooh, I wanna have lunch in France! I hope you all had a great meet-up in Epcot!

Yep 4 times. Even Jenna was starting to keep her distance from him

Haha! about walking around Canada!

They enjoyed the French meal. They saw Remy!

 

[crocko]

Was gone a few days....just catching up with first day activities.



~ By the way, I believe niece-in-law is correct term, but in my situation I would probably just call her my niece. ~

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Ok, I just LOVE how you decorated your van for the trip down there. The "I hrt DIS" license plate add-on was a nice touch for the photo.

Ha, it really is too bad that when you rent a condo a servant isn't included. Perhaps they need to start offering that as an add-on?

Man, it sounds like Omicron was really trying to plant those subliminal hints for Mission Space. Perhaps that was just his inner DIS-addict coming out. Next time, you'll need to make him his own itinerary so hopefully he won't be asking so many questions.

 

[debraW76]

Was gone a few days....just catching up with first day activities.



~ By the way, I believe niece-in-law is correct term, but in my situation I would probably just call her my niece. ~

Welcome back!

Ok, I just LOVE how you decorated your van for the trip down there. The "I hrt DIS" license plate add-on was a nice touch for the photo.

Ha, it really is too bad that when you rent a condo a servant isn't included. Perhaps they need to start offering that as an add-on?

Man, it sounds like Omicron was really trying to plant those subliminal hints for Mission Space. Perhaps that was just his inner DIS-addict coming out. Next time, you'll need to make him his own itinerary so hopefully he won't be asking so many questions.

If I did that then he would just read it to us every minute of every day.

We are now walking to Spaceship Earth... Then we are going to get FP for TT... THen we are going to lunch...Is that right mom?...That is what it says on this list...Mom? Is that right...The list says we are riding Spaceship earth next.. Right now we are still walking to SE...Is that where we are going? That is what the list says.. We've ridden 3 rides so far today... and have 10 more to do... SE is our 4th ride on this list... Is that right mom? That is what I counted...see one, two, three, and 4th is SE...Is that right? Mom. Mom. Mom. MOM! is that right? XXX will be our last ride of the day... Is that right mom. Is that what we are doing last? Then we are going home? Are we going home after we ride that? Illuminations is at 9PM. Are we staying to 9PM? What time does the park close? So Illuminations is after park closing? What do we do then? We are still walking to Spaceship Earth right mom? IS spaceship earth this way because that is where we are walking and that is what is on our list to do next.



God, I love him! But my kids do drive me crazy sometimes.

 

[daisyduck7]

Yep, that is exactly what the day would be like with Omicron and his list of the itenerary. He kinda reminds you of a bulldog with a bone. He couldn't be more singleminded even if he had blinders on. This TR sounds like it is going to be more fun than the one from Oct. 08.. I can't wait until other days come up. This is still only the first day.......right ? Got to hurry off again. Got lots to get done between now and 6:00 P.M. I'll talk to everyone later. Bye, Sugah. Love you.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am wiping the tears from my eyes over the conversation between you and Omicron about Mission: Space and SSE. Kids can be particularly infuriating, can't they??? I also found it very funny because I guess it can be confusing since at one point in the trip I told Charles to meet us at SSE and he ended up in front of Mission:Space.

There are some days that I really hate those dump shops!