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

[debraW76]

Oh my goodness, how did I miss this??! I loved your pre-trip report and hadn't noticed this yet!! Better late than never I guess!
Oh you are so sweet! Thanks for coming by and
First of all, congratulations!! You not only survived, but so far it sounds as if you flourished!! Good going!!!

As for Cici's, what a bummer that it was closed, but what truly amazed me is that all of the kids agreed to go the same place!! That is the one place they all do agree on! That is why I was so disappointed because I knew I couldn't find another place that they all would be happy about going.

I laughed so hard about whether your condo came with a "servant", that was one to send in to readers digest!
Hmmmm, I never thought about that. I did manage to get another story submitted and received $300. I just may try again. Thanks!
Morocco TS is one place I have no desire to eat, but I am really excited to try the CS location on our next trip!! Looks really pretty in there though!
It was beautiful inside!
Loved the SE vs MS conversation, that is hilarious!! My daughter was very much that way when she was young. I mean really young!! She started talking in sentences at 10 mos old, so that I'm sure will give you a clue. lol! She also read by age 2. When we went to disneyland when she was 2 years and 3 months old, I had a map and had marked all the rides we were going to ride on the map for her. We were walking along (she refused to ride in strollers after she was a year old), she was reading the map and someone says "Oh my Gawd, that little girl must have that aging disease". She was small for her age, but spoke so well and read, so she shocked everyone. Believe it or not that happend to us more than once, the other time when she ordered off the menu at a restaurant. That time the waitress brought over the manager, another waitress and the bartender so she would read for them. It was hilarious!
That is incredible that she was reading so young!
Glad you got a break to shop and I will be looking forward to reading more adventures!

Just found you and am going to catch up. BTW my DH is also an architect.

Aren't architects the bestest!

Happy to know I am not by myself in not liking those.

Nope. And from reading the comments here it seems like it may be a 50/50 split.

Just found your TR tonight and was intrigued by the title...you are a brave woman! We have three little ones and one on the way in October so I was curious how your trip went with so many kids. My DH and I are itching to take another Disney vacation soon but have decided to wait until after the baby comes. I will have to live vicariously through all these TR's. I love how you had a "spontaneous day"...we really need to do that on our next trip...our kids would love it! Sounds like you and your kiddos are having a great time...I can't wait to read more!

When is your baby due? I've been pregnant too and it wasn't too bad. We love going with all the kids. Each one has such a unique personality and they all give us a different perspective on each attraction.

Great installments, looks like you are having a good time. It was so sweet of you to take that picture for your hubby! Bill and I didn't care for the Zebra Domes either . You are very talented to get the food, round up the kids, and carry a sleeping baby all at the same time .

Thanks mrs. K You are very sweet to stay that.

Wow... you're my hero

Hero? Not by a long shot! and I'm glad you are here

 

[PrincessV]

We had a 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo with two full kitchens and two living rooms. It was 2000 square feet and could sleep 12.

WHOA, you've got my attention!

I know I am not going to make any friends with this but I just didn't think it was as great as I had heard.

You're not alone - I'm not a zebra dome fan either.

I penciled in "Monday 10am to 4pm - Be Spontaneous" in my agenda.

I totally appreciate planned spontaneity!

I was trying to get the big kids out of the pool, pack up all our stuff and he was just fighting me saying he wanted to go to sleep right there! Finally I got them all wrangled up and back to the room

I don't know how you do it - just one puts me under!

 

[debraW76]

Since the last update didn't have any photos I will start with some on this one.

Tau played on this one for 20 minutes while the big kids stood in line for Ride the Comix

Chi, with Alpha in the background on Ride the Comix

So we started on the top floor. Alpha, Chi, and Omicron played Invasion! An ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter: Then the same three played Ride the Comix while Delta played with the Star Wars game and Tau played with a racing game.

Then we all headed down to the 3rd floor and hit the arcade games. We all played Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam I whipped their behinds Then Alpha played Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlaster

As we were headed down to the second floor a girl named Gracie came up to us and asked if she could play with our kids. She was with her dad and he didn't want to ride the simulation games so she was looking for another family to play with. I guess our bunch looked like fun so she hooked up with us while we rode Magic Carpets of Aladdin. When we reached the front of the line the CM was trying to figure out how to seat us since everyone was riding except Gracie's dad. I guess we looked like a big, happy family because he said that 'dad could get baby Tau if he finished before mom did'. I had to explain that we had just met and that I didn't know if he wanted to be responsible for my children. The CM looked confused but said he would just put Tau on my seat behind me when he was finished.

I didn't know what we were looking for, where we were suppose to go, or what we were suppose to do so I think I just flew around this small room until Gracie and Chi found something that was really exciting to them.

Even Tau got to ride the Carpets of Aladdin

Next up was Virtual Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold The Jungle Cruise had a very short wait like 5 minutes or so but the Pirates ride had a 30 minute wait. This was going to be the last ride and the kids wanted to wait so we did. When we got up to the front Gracie, Alpha, and Chi went on the first boat then I was going to ride with Tau, Omicron, and Delta. When the CM brought us to our boat she asked Omicron if he wanted to be the boat captain. He of course said yes so she put him in front of the wheel. Tau wanted to be the boat captain so he started yet another fit and would not let up. So I wound up exiting with him before the ride started.

Apparently someone spoiled my child. This is when I decided that we would not go back until he was no longer spoiled.



Next...Day 3 part 3

 

[mickeystoontown]

I try to plan a sleep in/do whatever day. But, after about 2 hours, I start getting antsy and feel like we just have to do something...anything!

It looks like you guys are having fun at Disney Quest. I am not a gamer at all but I really enjoyed spending time at Disney Quest. I have to agree with you on the Carpets of Aladdin ride.....my husband and I could never figure out what we were supposed to be doing. Our 10 year old, however, knew just what he was doing.

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[daisyduck7]

It has been a while since I contributed, but catching back up was fun. When mrsmarksomeday wrote that she didn't know how DD did all this(4 kids, food trays, and a sleeping baby), I had a wierd case of deja vu(?splg). I must admit, it does seem rather difficult to do, but then, it is a genetic trait. When DD was a baby.......well, she was about 11 mo.old, she was the youngest of 4. This is the days BRCS(beforeREQUIREDcar seats), and I was also a smoker at the time, and the car I drove was a column stick shift. Someone once said to me "You are the only person I know that can have a baby in one arm, a 3-yr.old beside her in the front seat, an 11 yr. old, and 13 yr.old in the back seat, a cigaret between your lips, and changing gears while riding down the road, and you've never gotten a ticket or had a wreck. How do you do it ?" To which I responded, "Hey, I'm GOOD at what I do, and God watches over my children." So there ya go, what more can I say other than I taught her well, or should I say, she learned while still in her mother's arms.
The kids do look as though they are having a ball in every thing they go at, and just what do you mean, someone has spoiled Baby Tau? He is NOT spoiled, he just enjoys.......um.......expressing himself.......yeah, that sounds good. Well, I got to get up and get out of here. I'll catch everyone on the flip side, ok? Luv, luv, luv you guys bunches and bunches. Bye Sugah

 

[debraW76]

I try to plan a sleep in/do whatever day. But, after about 2 hours, I start getting antsy and feel like we just have to do something...anything!

It looks like you guys are having fun at Disney Quest. I am not a gamer at all but I really enjoyed spending time at Disney Quest. I have to agree with you on the Carpets of Aladdin ride.....my husband and I could never figure out what we were supposed to be doing. Our 10 year old, however, knew just what he was doing.

Looking forward to reading more.

Glad I wasn't the only one confused on carpets of Aladdin. yes, it was hard for me to not have anything planned for a whole day. But I think the kids enjoyed getting to make some of the decisions. And miraculously they were all in agreement in what to do so that helped a lot!

It has been a while since I contributed, but catching back up was fun. When mrsmarksomeday wrote that she didn't know how DD did all this(4 kids, food trays, and a sleeping baby), I had a wierd case of deja vu(?splg). I must admit, it does seem rather difficult to do, but then, it is a genetic trait. When DD was a baby.......well, she was about 11 mo.old, she was the youngest of 4. This is the days BRCS(beforeREQUIREDcar seats), and I was also a smoker at the time, and the car I drove was a column stick shift. Someone once said to me "You are the only person I know that can have a baby in one arm, a 3-yr.old beside her in the front seat, an 11 yr. old, and 13 yr.old in the back seat, a cigaret between your lips, and changing gears while riding down the road, and you've never gotten a ticket or had a wreck. How do you do it ?" To which I responded, "Hey, I'm GOOD at what I do, and God watches over my children." So there ya go, what more can I say other than I taught her well, or should I say, she learned while still in her mother's arms.
The kids do look as though they are having a ball in every thing they go at, and just what do you mean, someone has spoiled Baby Tau? He is NOT spoiled, he just enjoys.......um.......expressing himself.......yeah, that sounds good. Well, I got to get up and get out of here. I'll catch everyone on the flip side, ok? Luv, luv, luv you guys bunches and bunches. Bye Sugah

Hi Mom. I was waiting for you to catch up!

 

[debraW76]

At the end of DisneyQuest is (you guessed it) a dump shop. Omicron wanted to spend more of his birthday money so he bought a monorail and Pluto for Tau (for his birthday) and bought himself the Alpha dog from the movie UP. It is hysterical. It has several comments it says and sometimes its voice changes just like in the movie. He gave Tau the monorail then but wanted to wait and give him Pluto at his birthday party.

Then Alpha remembered the nickels and dimes trick he bought from the magic shop and wanted to see what else they had. The magic shop was empty so they had the magicians full attention. After showing the kids a few simple tricks he decided to go with the Chinese Sticks

Alpha normally hates shopping but he was so excited to be in the magic shop. He said that he wants that to be his tradition, that he wants something from there every year. Every year? Did he just say every year? YES! I have another disneyfan in the family!!

Then Chi saw the trick and wanted a pair too.

Omicron decided on the magic cups set and a magic wand. Finally we were in line when Tau announced he had to go potty. I could tell he was serious so we had to all leave line and exit the store to find the closest bathroom. Wheh! Emergency diverted.

During the potty break my SIL called and said they were done with MK and were ready to leave. We decided they would take the monorail to the Contemporary then take the bus to DTD since we were still shopping.

After the potty break we went back to the magic store but this time it was much more crowded so we had to wait a little bit to be waited on again. But the kids already knew what they wanted so it didn't take too long. While the three made their purchases Delta said he wanted the Chinese sticks too. But unfortunately Delta spent most of his money already in EPCOT. He was disappointed and I could tell that a meltdown was soon to follow so we all headed to the van to go back to the room.

I called my SIL to see where they were and after some talking I found that they were on the Marketplace side. So I loaded the kids up in the van and we drove across the parking lot to pick them up. Except you can't just drive across the parking lot. You have to exit the parking lot, drive down the main road, then re-enter the parking lot. But alas, we found each other and soon we were all ready to go back to the room.

Once back in the room I got the kids fed and bathed. I did some laundry and put all the clean clothes on the table. I had the kids sort through the clothes to pick out their own and fold them. This is new to them because at home I keep their dirty clothes separate because each child has their own hamper in their rooms. I wash and dry each kids clothes together so that I don't have to figure out what belongs to whom. I was floored when Omicron announced that he wanted to separate everyone's clothes and fold them himself because he thought it was fun!

Guess who is doing laundry when we get back home?

 

[jcc0621]

Boy is Omicron going to regret that statement

 

[cmp1111]

Sounds like a pretty successful shopping day!

Omicron can come by my house anytime...

 

[dd50]

Boy is Omicron going to regret that statement

That's what I was thinking.

 

[lisalonglash]

What a sweetie your Alpha is Oh, my oldest son absolutely the magic store at DTD! What a neat place! He got the golf tee trick and was absolutely thrilled when the guy took him into the "secret" room to teach him the trick before we left the store

Omicron is going to regret that comment, I'll bet

 

[daisyduck7]

Okay, has Omicron gotten all the laundry done yet? Or has he figured out that it is really work to do all THAT MANY clothes. I remember when all 4 of ours were at home, if I missed a day doing the laundry, it was up the wall the next day. Now, about the WDW FEVER. Every time I come to the disboard , I start getting that hollowed out feeling, you kniw, like something is really missing in my life right now? I start hyperventilating, then I begin to feel kinda.......um....... nauseous , and the palms of my hands begin to feel sweatty, and I say to myself, I say "Self, what is wrong with you?" And then, I finally realize. EUREKA !!!!!!! I need to plan a trip, a trip to.......WDW. I'm hoping to go sometime in October while school is out for Fall Break. I need to get with DD and figure about how much do-re-mi it will take because she is soooooo goooood at planning things, making lists, catagorizing(bet ya'll didn't know I knew big words like that,hunh)(Anybody that can plan for 4 hours of spontaniety is a top ranking planner) Oh, dear, I feel the beginnings of a coming on from brain-overload. I gotta go for now, so I'll be lookin at ya later. Bye,Sugah hugs and kisses all around.. LUV, LUV, LUV all of you:love

 

[debraW76]

Boy is Omicron going to regret that statement

Yea, he hasn't done any laundry since we've been home.

Sounds like a pretty successful shopping day!

Omicron can come by my house anytime...

We definitely had fun. Since my boys hate shopping I try to let them shop for fun things to slowly win them over.

That's what I was thinking.

Not yet anyway.

What a sweetie your Alpha is Oh, my oldest son absolutely the magic store at DTD! What a neat place! He got the golf tee trick and was absolutely thrilled when the guy took him into the "secret" room to teach him the trick before we left the store

Omicron is going to regret that comment, I'll bet

We didn't get invited to the secret room this time. Maybe because it was so crowded (or because i had 5 kids and he was afraid!)

And then, I finally realize. EUREKA !!!!!!! I need to plan a trip, a trip to.......WDW. I'm hoping to go sometime in October while school is out for Fall Break. I need to get with DD and figure about how much do-re-mi it will take because she is soooooo goooood at planning things, making lists, catagorizing(bet ya'll didn't know I knew big words like that,hunh)(Anybody that can plan for 4 hours of spontaniety is a top ranking planner) Oh, dear, I feel the beginnings of a coming on from brain-overload. I gotta go for now, so I'll be lookin at ya later. Bye,Sugah hugs and kisses all around.. LUV, LUV, LUV all of you:love

Mom, you should start your own Trip report. If you are interested let me know and I will help you get it started.

 

[debraW76]

I know I have been neglecting this thing. I plan to update this weekend!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for an update!!!

 

[debraW76]

June 9, 2009
Animal Kingdom​

6:00 AM I wake up. Ugh! Why can't I sleep late on vacation?
6:45 AM I wake everyone else up to get ready for AK!!
8:03 AM We leave for AK
8:09 AM Enter AK parking lot (yea that's right 6 minutes )

We park and walk to the gate. It take about 5 minutes to get through security. Nope, not because there was a line but because Omicron had to take every stinking thing out of his bag to show to the security officer and tell him what everything was, how much it cost, where he bought it, and why he was bringing it into the park. Luckily there wasn't anyone behind us.

We make it to the gate and put sunscreen on while we are waiting for them to open the turnstiles. When it was our turn to enter the gate I let my SIL and niece in first to 'catch' all the kids as they enter. I went in last with Tau in the stroller. However as I pushed the stroller about halfway through the stroller entrance the little booger climbs out the back of the stroller and tries to go through the turnstile. This would have been ok I guess, except that the people behind me had already put their ticket through. Finally I grab him and drag him kicking and screaming through the stroller entrance.

I wonder if I am the only parent who drags their kids to a DW park?

So finally we enter the park and I am trying to hustle everyone to the Tree of Life for the rope drop. But no! The kids were well engaged in an animal presentation. So I wait patiently for the nice CM to finish all the while thinking "I got everyone up early and hurried them to the park to make rope drop for this?"

Once she was done I called the kids to me and 3 came. Omicron was still asking questions.

Yikes!

Finally I take matters into my own hands and drag him away kicking and screaming. After all that this is how close we got

However, we were still lucky to land beside an empty bench. The kids were able to stand on the bench to get a clear view of the characters during the opening ceremonies so I guess it worked out.

We still made it in front of all these people. This is my niece and SIL and the large crowd behind us.

As soon as the rope dropped we split up. I took tau and Delta to get us FP for EE and my SIL and niece took the big 3 on Dinosaur. We met back up in Dinoland. They wanted to ride Primevil Whirl so I told my SIL and niece to take them on again while I took the little ones on Triceratops Spin. However, when they got up there Omicron wasn't quite tall enough so they sent him over to me. He was extremely disappointed. But that wasn't my biggest worry at the time. He had his heart set out on riding RNRC and they both had the same height requirement. So I knew that an even bigger disappointment would come at the end of the week.

But I knew worrying about that now wouldn't do us any good. So on to having fun today!

After riding triceratops Omicron complained about riding a baby ride. However secretly I knew he had fun because I could see his face while he was riding it.

After that he wanted to go back to the gift shop at Dinosaur and since they were still in line for Primevil Whirl I agreed. We walked to the gift shop and he bought a dinosaur. Now Omicron was officially out of money.

We walked back to PW and heard someone calling my name...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, I was cracking up at Omicron unpacking his bag and showing everything to the CM! Too funny! I am telling you, he and Connor would get along like long-lost brothers! I hate that he wasn't tall enough to ride Primeval Whirl though -- Connor was FINALLY tall enough this year for it.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Yikes! That rope drop crowd is scary!

 

[debraW76]

Oh, I was cracking up at Omicron unpacking his bag and showing everything to the CM! Too funny! I am telling you, he and Connor would get along like long-lost brothers! I hate that he wasn't tall enough to ride Primeval Whirl though -- Connor was FINALLY tall enough this year for it.

I think he will be just tall enough next time for PW and RNRC. Yes Omicron and Connor do seem as though they would get along.

Yikes! That rope drop crowd is scary!

It didn't look that bad when we were there. I was though disappointed that we were not closer to the front since I had gotten every one up so early

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh my goodness, the story about Omicron taking each and every item out of his bad and talking about it soooo sounds like my 12 year old son. If there's an ear to listen, he'll talk into it and it seems like it always happens when we are in a hurry.