Ok I'll finish now that everyone's napping....
On Day 3-Monday we had nothing planned...good thing because Wilma came for a visit. We woke to pouring rain and a lot of wind. Saw that the parks were closed and also had a note on the door. So since there were no busses running and I really didn't want to drag the kids in and out of the car in the rain. I did McDonalds drive thru for breakfast. We only had snacks and lunch food in the room. It wasn't that bad, it was 6:30AM and kind of eery being on the roads, there were a lot of security around and trucks looking for trees down and stuff. They were playing movies on the TV and at least we got some decent coffee. I don't know why we never just bought coffee to make in the room. We only needed one cup each every morning, but we didn't. I suggest you bring your own!!! Anyway, since there wasn't really much to do, I did laundry. Two loads by 9AM. We were close enough and didn't actually have to spend to much time in the rain back and forth. So we played some games, watch some movies ate lunch and the kids took a nap. By noon, the sun was out and it was as if nothing happened. They opened MK and Epcot at 1, so when the kids got up we went to MK.
Now I luckily knew the weather was going to change. I checked the weather like a hawk before leaving. It got chilly!!! It was a nice change from the humidity, but the water park was out for us, because it wasn't really warm enough till mid-day and then it wasn't really warm enough. We should have hit that the first day. Oh well!!! MK was great. No crowds at all. We did the Jungle Cruise, and on Pirates of the Caribbean we had our own boat. As we were entering the woman said both sides were open. Everyone else went to the right so we went left. If was great and kind of wierd at the same time. Did Small World, kids loved it and it's really nice the changes they made. Phoo's playground was a big hit and a great way to let the little ones run around. Ate dinner at Peco's Bills. Very good and the fixin bar is great. We did Small World again, favorite for DS, Over to Toontown. We went to the store with the characters inside, forget the name. Well the princess line was packed, the middle line had Phoo and Friends and the last just had a picture of Goofy. We picked Goofy, no one was in that line. We got right in and saw Minnie, Gepetto and Goofy. We caught Spectro, walked right up like 15 minutes before started, great spot, only one row in front of us. Wanted to stay and see Wishes, but the kids were done. DS loved fireworks over the 4th, but for some reason wasn't going for it at Disney. Next time!!
Day4--MK Had breakfast at CP. Very good food here and the characters were great. The coffee actually wasn't that bad either, best we had onsite. I'm sure it's all the same but they made it right here. After, we went to Tomorrowland and saw Stitch. Did the Buzz Lightyear ride. That was fun. The kids were too busy looking around so DH and I played. I won!!! I saw the COP was open so we did that. The kids liked the dog. I don't know why but I love this attraction. I like the song, "Now is the time" better. But that's just what I was used to. Decided to do the blue tram, train thing. I've never been on it before. It goes fast sometimes, which I didn't expect. I thought it just went along slowly. It's a neat way to see Tomorrowland. DS wanted Small World again and of course Phoo's playground is right there. On our way to lunch we saw Cinderellabration. Then we ate at Cosmic Rays. The food was good, but I don't like the 3 seperate line thing. DH and I had brought our lunch but if the kids had wanted two seperate things that would have been a pain. After lunch we did Belle's Story time. HOW CUTE!!! This was a nice surprise, I wasn't sure what to expect. The kids enjoyed it. Off the to Indy Speedway. Again, no line, waited maybe 10 minutes. DS was really excited about driving these cars. We let the kids steer, well try and steer. DH did fine helping DS, but me and DD were bouncing off the rail. She did look really cute sitting behind the wheel though and doesn't mind being bounced around. Done just in time for parade. Walked over to Liberty Square and got a good spot next to Hall of Presidents. Cute parade, but AK is still the favorite. Over to Adventure Land and DD fell asleep so I took DS to the Tiki Room. Well this had changed since the last time I saw it. Which was probably 15 years ago. I remember and outside sitting area with some birds that sang. This is a very loud and dark show. Cute show, just not what I was expecting at all. Why is everything so loud?? Of course DS and DH had to do Jungle Cruise again and then we saw Jesse and Woody on the porch of the Diamond Horse. This was the longest thing we waited for. Because they had to break for 5 minutes. Back to ToonTown again. The kids really liked it here and really like the characters. Unfortunately DS won't do rides that spin or go high. So no Dumbo, Magic Carpets, he loved Small World, Jungle Cruise ,Phoo's ride. We didn't do Snow White, because I've never done it and it has the word SCARY in it. Wanted to do Philharmagic, but after "The Bug Tree", DS wasn't going anywhere you had to wear glasses. The park closed at 6 for
MNSSHP, so we took the Ferry back and had dinner on the way back to CBR.
Day5---Epcot and some MGM. We ate breakfast in Epcot. The kids had French Toast sticks at the Electric Umbrella and we had bagels from the bakery across the way for it. Got hot chocolate instead of coffee. It was good. The pastries in there looked really good. We did Journey into Imagination first. This is nothing like I remember. I knew they changed it, but I didn't like this at all. I don't like the new song and the play area seems less. Both DH and I wanted to try Test Track so we each did single rider lane while the other stayed with the kids at the exit. This is really nice because the kids can color and be kept entertained. It only took us like 30 minutes to both ride. We were going to do the Land, but 45 minutes seemed a little long for the kids. So we went over to Morocco to find Jasmine. DS loves her. Well after being told different times and waiting 45 minutes, no princess' were in Epcot that day. The times guide said 12:30-4, and diffferent CM's said like 5 minutes, 10 minutes, finally I had one call to find out. I should have done that in the first place. So if you really want to see someone have them call to find out or check with Guest Relations when you get to the park. That way no expectations go up in flames. So we took the boat over to MGM. We did Playhouse Disney again and saw Mike and Sully. My DS loves them, but wouldn't you know it, wouldn't go near them. DD went up twice. They are really big. We have cute pictures of them towering over her. Just in time for another parade so we were right in front of the hat. Great spot, not more than 15 minutes before it started. Again cute, but love AK. Took the boat back to Epcot on the way stopping at Beaches and Cream. Heard they had the best burgers. They were good, but nothing I would make a point of coming back for. Our waitress though was the best and the ice-cream was good. Back to Epcot. The kids weren't into much so we just headed back to the room.
Day6--AK again and Epcot. We got here on time to see the opening. VERY CUTE, kids loved it. This time we went right to the Safari with everyone else, but only waited maybe 10 minutes if that. While this was good, the first one was soooo much better. We saw a lot of animals, but they were closer and more on the first one. 1PM is the time for me. We ate breakfast at Tusker House. Really good cinnamon buns hear and the kids had cereal. Next off to Rafiki's Planet watch. Again, we're animal people so this was great. We saw Rafiki and Stanley and the little petting are was cute. They had brushes for the kids to use on the 500 goats walking around. DS also encountered the talking trash can. He still talks about it. It told him it was Pushes grandmother. Very cute. After a long week, the kids were tired so we went back to the room and we also had 5:30 ADR for Chef Mickey. CM was a lot of fun, the kids like twirling their napkins and that their food was at their level on the buffett. We saw Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald Duck and Chip and Dale. The food was really good, especially the parmesean mashed potatoes. Our waiter wasn't bad, but wasn't anything special either. He didn't something to the people next to us because they didn't tip him. So after we went over to Epcot, via the longest route to drive there. When we left CR I just followed the signs to exit, but we seemed to really go out of the way, but passes a lot of resorts I've never seen before. DH rode Mission Space and said it was awsome, not for me. I really wanted to do Soarin' and should have but didn't, figures I'd do it on the way out. The was EMH and it was open till 12. We got a spot around the Odyssey building for Illuminations, DS woulnd't go any closer. Not the best spot of course but we could see some. Used the baby care center here. AK has the best hands down!! So after Illuminations there is this mass exit of people. We stay put as the masses disperse. Well after that we had World Showcase to ourselves. Which was fine by me because I love the countries at night. DD feel asleep and DS got a mask in Mexico and we were off. My husband soon figured out that Food and Wine also included BEER. So I grabbed some sangira and he drank his way aroudn the world and DS made a mask. We had the best time. DD slept the whole time and DS just wanted to get to the next country to see what they had to add to the mask. We were done around 11 and DS was very excited to have finished and get his poster. On the way out we went by Soarin'...50 minute wait and people were still coming to get in line. It was too late so I missed it. I should have done it earlier, but we had a great night so no complaints.
Day7--Last day. So I decide to let DH and DS sleep in and grab DD and go off to find decent coffee. Again, should have just went to the store and bought some to make in the room, but I was feeling adveturist. MY BAD!! You really shouldn't go exploring in a town you're not that familiar with. We got lost. This one road just turned into a huge highway, right out of the blue. Anyway, after stopping for directions, boy did I look like and idiot, we made it back with good coffee and breakfast. I did see some really nice homes a long the way, but why are the backyards screened in....bugs???
So off the AK again, I know 3rd time. We loved this park and still can't see why people dismiss it. Of course we had to do Flights of Wonder again and Dinoland. The plan was to eat lunch and then head over to MK for some last favorites. Well after lunch we got in the car and the kids fell asleep. We should have just gone to MK and let them sleep in the parking lot for a little bit. But we took them back to the room. Well three hours later, they work up and MK was closing at 6. We didn't buy tickets for MNSSHP because I wasn't sure how the kids would have been with it. DD likes spooky halloween, but DS is a little scared of some things and I didn't want to ruin MK for him, so we decided to play it by ear when we got there. Well while they were sleeping and realized we weren't getting in there unless we had tickets I tried in vain, but it was sold out. Friday night before Halloween, of course it would be, but we tried. The kids didn't know, so after they got up we went to DTD. Had dinner and then went to Disney Quest. This was fun, but really needs an update in the little kids section at least. It looks like you used to be able to win tickets and get prizes but now it's just free play and no tickets. The kids had a good time. Went back to World of Disney and what a zoo!!! DH took the kids to the legos and I did some speed shopping and saved 10% by showing my Disney Visa. Went home packed and that's it....very sad leaving.
I have to say this was the best vacation we've ever taken. We always do a week at the beach and little day trips, but it's always with extended family. This was just the four of us, and we had a great time. People thought we were crazy for taking the kids while their still young. I can't tell you how many times I almost cried because of their reactions to things. It was priceless. While we didn't do a lot and missed a whole lot, we took our time, did what the kids wanted and have even more reason to go back. We got the 7 day hopper with everything because we didn't want to be limited and had planned on a water park, the weather just didn't work out that way. It was worth it. We ate CS because it just seemed easier with the kids. It really was the best time and love all the pictures and memories we have. Plus I just got my DVC info in the mail yesterday, now I just have to convince DH it's a good thing to buy into. We'll see!!
