We aren't going to WDW every year!W/Pics & VIDEO link!!! 8/30 final thoughts!

[mickeysmyboy]

Sorry for the delay! A very lllllllloooooonnnnnggggg delay! My 2 1/2 year old laptop completely went caput and I lost all my trip notes etc! Luckily I had saved my pictures on a usb port key thingy or I would have lost tons of pictures and completely freaked!I promised myself I'd finish this before I started a pre-trip for our upcoming trips. Even if no one reads it at least I finished and kept my promise to myself

So here goes!

Day 3 part 2


We got to the Odyssey Center about 7:15 for the 7:30 Magical Gathering Illuminations Dinner and Dessert Reception. They started talking groups in about 7:20. We were the second to last group taken in even though we were one of the first to checkin, no big deal and I think it worked in our favor. The buffet dinner was very good. The food wasn't all your run of the mill Disney buffet food. They had different things and a few of the standards. Aunt Roz, the international reunion planner, and TJ the DJ were funny and cute.
Minnie and Goofy



joined the fun to dance with the kids and do a konga line! the character interaction was phenomenal!! I was so great to see the kids on the dance floor with Minnie and Goofy! The only better would have been if Mickey was there too!

After dancing it was time to head over to see Illuminations! Like I said before, being taken into the Odyssey Center 2nd to last may have worked in our favor. Us and the last group to go in were in the first group called to go over to the viewing area. We were able to get the best possible spot! They had desert, snacks, coffee and drinks. The desserts and coffee were very good! The spread looked very! Then it was time for Illuminations to start!!

These are links to my video of Illuminations! Webshots doesn't seem to have a way for me to post it in here. Either that or I can't figure it out! It's in 2 parts due to the constrictions of webshots! Enjoy! Illuminations part 1 Illuminations part 2

Being front row center for Illuminations was phenomenal!! And that's putting it mildly!! It was awesome!! There is really no way to describe how totally cool it was!! We had, at one point, fireworks shooting out of canons 5 feet in front of us! I definitely recommend this experience to anyone going to WDW in a group of 8 or more. It was definitely worth the money! I'd love to do it again, and again, and again! Even if the food was terrible and there were no characters at the dinner I'd do it again! Seeing Illuminations front row center was the best!!

After Illuminations was over we made a quick exit and were to the monorail station before the masses of people! Yippee!!!

We were back to GF around 10 and saw some of Wishes from the Monorail and more while walking to our building. It was a cool way to end the day!

We called it a night and went straight to sleep!!

Up next, morning EMH @ Epcot and DS meets Capt Jack!!!!!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Day 4, Tuesday, March 11th

Today started very early. I’m not sure what time it was but it wasn’t much past 5 when I woke up. I quickly hopped in the shower, got dressed and threw on a hat. I snuck out of the room and went and got a cup of coffee. Then I sat outside of Gasparilla’s, with a wonderful view of the castle as it changed color in the early morning hours, and wrote my postcards. It was still dark but the lighting was enough to let me see what I was doing. It amazed me the hustle and bustle going around me. The staff was out in force delivering, gardening, cleaning etc. and they did it without almost any sound!

After about an hour I got the family breakfast and took it up to the room. We were planning on going to Epcot for morning EMH. So, everyone got up, dressed and ate. We were out of the room by 7:45! Amazing!

MIL kept the baby because FIL wasn’t feeling at all well and she wanted to keep close to the resort. So she and Ryan took a walk and sat by the pool while we were gone.

When we got to Epcot we walked in with no lines, got a stroller (DS can’t go without it) and went to Spaceship Earth. We literally walked right on. DH and the kids enjoyed it a lot more then the last time. The kids because their a bit older, DH who knows. We all thought the touch screen and picture of your future was very cool. Here's a look at our futures, DS was apparently too short because he didn't make it in the picture with me!





After that it was off to get a Fastpass for Soarin. We thought about doing standby, but according to the sign the wait was already 50 minutes. It was like 8:30, how is that possible?! DH went to get the Fastpass and the kids and I headed to The Seas to wait for him. When he got back we went and did the Nemo ride. It’s not our favorite ride ever but it’s cute and it’s neat how they can project the Nemo characters into the tank! After that it was off to see Crush, which was cool as usual. We stayed in The Seas for awhile and walked around seeing all the fish and different exhibits. We saw the dolphins and two of them, I swear, looked like they were dancing together! Then Bruce tried to eat my kids!!!!! I thought he was a vegetarian?! Luckily I was able to save them, with a little help from DH!

Then it was off to The Land. We did Living With The Land. DD loved this ride, DS kept saying “This is boring, can we get off now?” Ugh! I explained to him that going to WDW wasn’t just for him and we all have things we want to do and see.

After that it was off to Soarin. DD wasn’t sure originally that she wanted to go but thankfully decided that she would go. This was our first time and it was AMAZING!!! We loved it!!! It' s definitely one of our favorite rides now!!

By then it was around noon and we figured we’d have a late night so we headed back to GF. When we got to TTC to switch monorails DH asked the attendant if we could ride up front. He said if it was open but we shouldn’t count on it being open. When it arrived 2 women were in the front but they got off! DH and DS were excited to get to ride in the front for the first time!

Back at GF we grabbed lunch at Gasparilla’s, I can’t remember what we had but it was good.

The kids wanted to go in the pool and the baby wanted Mommy. So DH and the big kids got ready for the pool. Oh no!! Crisis!! I bought DH 2 new bathing suits before the trip and asked him to try them on. He didn’t. Of course, they didn’t fit!! Way too big. I ran to Commander Porter and bought him a new bathing suit, which he loves! Crisis averted! DH and the big kids went off to the pool and MIL joined them. FIL was sleeping in their room and the baby settled down for a nap a little bit after they left. I got some time to relax and enjoy the balcony. Ahhhhhh, I wish I could sit there right now. The sounds of WDW all around me, nice warm sun, it was sooo relaxing and I got to take a little catnap!

DH and the kids came back around 4 and everyone quickly showered and got ready for The Pirates and Princesses Party!!


We left for MK around 4:30 and DH decided we should take the boat instead of the monorail. I’m ok with that BUT if we take the monorail we don’t have to fold the stroller. Because the boat from GF To MK is the smaller boat you have to fold the stroller. It just seems a little inconvenient to me when we have a perfectly good option where we wouldn't have to fold it. But, I kept my mouth shut, unusual for me, and we took a little cruise.

We got into MK with our P&P tickets and went to get wristbands. DS didn’t want to wear his. The very nice CM who helped us told me he didn’t have to. I asked her if she was sure and offered to wear his and mine. She told me no, that they wouldn’t force a child to wear the band. She said they knew a 5 year old didn’t come into the park all by himself so it wasn’t a problem. I thought that was very nice and DS was happy. We got our stroller and headed up Main Street. There were a lot of people leaving the park!

We headed to Cosmic Rays and got dinner. DH and I both had cheeseburgers I, not great but good enough and definitely not as good as the chicken sandwiches we had on Sunday. I got both kids again had chicken nuggets, I’m surprised they don’t grow feathers!! DS5 was asleep in the stroller when I got back outside from getting the food, a little surprising, but ok.

After we ate DH took DD to the Speedway and she got to drive for the first time ever! She even got a little driver’s licenses! DH said if the cast member had seen the way she drove they wouldn’t have given it to her! She bounced off the center rail the entire way around the track! LOL!

By then it was 6:30 and we headed to Fantasyland figuring we’d be able to do a lot in a short amount of time. Boy we were right!! DD and I did the tea cups while DH stayed with sleeping DS5 and baby DS, then DD, the baby and myself did Pooh and DD and I went on the Carousel, we walked right on all of them. After our carousel ride DS5 was awake we decided it was time for Dumbo, DS was still a little sleepy and hunger so he decided to stay with DH and eat his chicken nuggets while DD and I had our flying elephant flight! We waited maybe 5 minutes, enough for 1 flight between us entering the line and getting to the front. After we’d had our ride DS decided he was mad we’d gone on Pooh without him, the nerve of us!!! Gosh I’m a terrible Mommy!! So, We all went back and went on together walking directly on again. Happy again DS decided he would like to go on Snow Whites Scary Adventure and we walked onto yet another ride. Then it was over to IASW (again) walking onto that as well. Along the way we had picked up “treasure” at stops in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. So we were all decked out with beads!! Baby DS loved to pull on mine and I had to take them off!

After charging through Fantasyland we headed to Main Street to get a spot for the parade about 8. We got a great spot a little bit up the street from Casey’s. DH went to get us some ice cream and SIL and BIL met up with us. We waited a little while with a very nice girl and her son next to us. My DD played with the little boy. DS wasn’t acting like himself and didn’t want too much to do with playing or picture taking. I really wanted DD and DS to get a picture taken in front of the castle in their costumes but DS wasn’t having any part of it. I wasn’t going to force him so DD did it herself.



While we waited for the parade the baby fell asleep, shh sleeping pirate!



We saw the parade.


It was nice but truthfully DH and I both liked the MNSSHP parade better. Oh well. After the parade was over SIL and BIL left because SIL was really sick! Poor thing looked awful and was trying to fight through it.

DH, the kids and I headed over to Adventureland and we found the Capt Jack meet and greet!! DS was sooo excited he perked up instantly! There was a pretty long line. So we waited. DH, DD and the baby decided that the 9:45 fireworks were fast approaching and left the line and went to get the spot we had picked not far from the spot we watched the parade in. DS and waited some more and had a nice chat with the 2 teenage girls in front of us. DS enjoyed flirting with them because they thought he was adorable in his Captain Jack costume!


DS told the girls and I how me couldn’t wait to met Capt Jack and all the things he was going to tell Capt Jack, it was very cute! He was sooo excited!! When we got to the front of the line the CM told us and the girls that we were cutting it really close to the fireworks and that the P&P fireworks aren’t to be missed, great! What was I supposed to do?! DS said he could miss the fireworks, he had to met Capt Jack. The sacrifices of a mother! When it was our turn DS couldn’t even speak! He was completely star struck! Capt Jack asked him a bunch of questions, which I had to answer. Capt Jack commented to me that he thought “the krakens got his tongue” LOL! I thought that was funny! Capt Jack asked DS to join his crew, he did look the part after all, and told him that perhaps one day he would park his ship on our lawn because we live on an Island! DS was completely in heaven!!! He’s still talking about it and probably will forever!! After an autograph and pictures


DS and I headed out. It was, no joke, 8:43! We decided to leave the stroller and run, and I do mean run, to meet Daddy, DD and the baby. We found them exactly in the spot we had picked and the fireworks started about 30 seconds after we got there! Hooray!! I’m not one for doing things like that but I’m so glad we did!! The fireworks were absolutely amazing!!

We loved them!! DD commented that Cinderella was not going to happy with the people who do the fireworks because they shot some off her castle!

By the time the fireworks were over DS wasn’t himself again and we decided we might want to call it a night soon. We went over to Fantasyland to try to met Ariel, but the line was reallllllly long, like an hour long!!! No way!! So we went over to the Belle Meet and Greet and DD got an autograph and picture.


DS wanted nothing to do with it LOL! He really wanted to go back to the hotel by then. DH and I both offered to DD that if she wanted to stay and do more of the P&P things one of us would take DS and the baby back and the other would stay with her. She said she’d like to go back too and actually admitted to being tired!! She never gets tired and NEVER admits to it!! So we headed for the monorail and were back to GF and in our room a few minutes after 11.

It was a good night, but I would have like to do more of the party things, not just rides. There's always next time

 

[mickeysmyboy]

So, no is reading this. I'm ok with that, really I am. I vowed to finish it and finish it I will! So. onward and upward!

Wednesday, March 12th

Today we were heading to AK! I got up first, as usual, showered and got ready and then woke the family to get the kids ready. Then it was down to the concierge lounge to have breakfast. We got to AK about 10 I think.

We headed straight back and got our FP for the safari. Then it was onto the Pagani Trail. We saw the meerkats! That little one was so cute!

The Gorillas were out and showing off for everyone. One of them was lying right up against the glass on his back with his hand on his head. He looked like he had a headache! I couldn’t get close enough to get a picture, but I did get a picture of a beautiful, huge silver back!

We wandered the rest of the trail, it was a bit crowded, so it was hard to see everything.

Crowds seemed to be the theme of AK that day.

When we got out of the trail DH’s phone rang and FIL and MIL were in the park and headed to us. We met them and headed toward Kali River Rapids to get FP. Along the way we met SIL and BIL. We got to see DeVine (sp? Sorry) I was so excited! She was so stunning and graceful! Amazing! I tried to get some pictures but there were so many people I couldn’t.

We fought the crowd over to Kali. The standby wait was only 10 minutes, how is that possible?! The park was a mob scene and it was very warm. DH, FIL, and DD went on, the rest of us opted out. SIL and BIL went off to see somethings on their own and MIL and I went on a needless walk about ½ across the park looking for the exit for Kali! I didn’t remember that the exit was behind (kind of) the entrance and we walked all past EE before I realized we definitely were not in the right place. DUH! So, we went back. To bad I asked 3 CM’s before someone knew where the exit was! As we walked up to wait DH, DD and FIL walked out, almost bone dry!!! Boy they got lucky!! FIL got the big soak last time!!

DS was dying to go “to the dinosaur playground PLEEEAAAASSSEEEE Mommy!” So, we headed over, again fighting what seemed like a mob of people and the kids played for a while until we had to head for our FP for the safari. We split from MIL and FIL and went over.

It amazes me the amount of people willing to wait on a 50 minutes standby line instead of getting a FP, doing other things and going back. What’s the point?

We enjoyed our Safari and we had a great driver! He was very funny!! We saw this giraffe trying to bend over

a lone elephant,

and a bunch of other animals, no lions though !

After our Safari we were sick of fighting crowds and it was getting hot so we decided to get some lunch and then head out. We went over to Flame Tree BBQ. DH got ribs, even though he knew he’d have ribs at dinner that night, I got a salad with chicken in it, and I’m pretty sure the kids had chicken nuggets again, big surprise. DH really like the ribs, he kept saying they were excellent and I really enjoyed the salad. The chicken in it was spicy though!! It was a big kick in a salad!

After lunch we decided it was too warm and crowded in AK and DS really didn’t seem himself even though he insisted “I’m fine” every time we asked so we went back to GF.

When we got back DD decided she wanted to go in the pool again. MIL volunteered to take her and DS decided he wanted to stay in the room and watch TV and play.

DD and MIL had fun at the pool. DD, according to MIL, had a little boy following her around the pool showing off for her. Oh my, they start way to young!!!

DD and MIL came back and we got ready for our 7:15 ressie at Hoop De Doo. We left our room at 5:45 figuring we had plenty of time to there. But FIL and DH decided they wanted to take the boat to MK and get the boat to FW. UGH!!! Hello people!! We stayed at a monorail resort for a reason. As the boat from GF pulled up at MK the boat for FW left. We waited almost an hour for another!! I was a bit annoyed!! Not to mention I really had to go to the bathroom!! Really, really, really had to go to the bathroom! I was tempted to go into MK and use the ladies room but I was sure if I did the boat would come. When we finally got to FW, at 7:10, I had to run to the bathroom! I nearly wet my pants! That would have been oh so attractive! Not to mention, at that point we were pretty much late. I hate to be late!! It's part of my DNA not to be late! My mom was late for her wedding, no joke! The person who was supposed to drive her forgot! So, ever since then being on time to her is being 15 early! I tried really hard not to be annoyed and not strangle DH and FIL. We were on vacation after all.

We got into Hoop De Doo with no problem and had a great table in the second row. FIL loves Hoop De Doo!! He loves it even more now! This is why!

Yes, for those who have been to HDD, he was the one that Dolly tried to get to root for her side when each side of the audience competes. She kissed his check and left a big old red lip mark! Oh my! He was in his glory!!

After Hoop De Doo we all decided to call it a night. As we headed from FW to MK we saw the electric water pageant go by and as we headed from MK to GF we saw the beginning of Wishes. We watched the rest from the dock at GF. It was beautiful and a great way to end the day!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Still chugging along, all alone

Thursday, March 13th ( I didn't take a lot of pictures this day for some reason, sorry!)

We slept late again today. When we went down to the lounge for breakfast they were in the process of cleaning it up. Oh well, we headed over to Gasparilla’s got breakfast and went and sat by the pool with MIL and FIL. After breakfast and an eye opening, or closing depending on which way you look at it, view of a man in a speedo DH, the kids, myself and FIL headed to the bus stop to get a bus for Hollywood Studios. MIL stayed behind.

We waited 45 minutes for a bus! It was unbelievable! There was a couple waiting who had been there for an hour! We saw at least 2 buses for everywhere else, 3 for AK!!

Once the bus came and we finally got to HS it was 11:30!! Ugh! We headed straight to get FP for Star Tours. DS had been talking about Star Tours for a long time and he LOVES Star Wars. Unfortunately, by now I could tell he was sick and he wasn’t having the best time. We headed over to see Muppet Vision after getting the FP for Star Tours. I sat this one out because the baby was sleeping and I didn’t want to wake him. The rest of the gang was gone a good 45 minutes and I used some of that time to get a fake Mickey Mouse Tattoo on my ankle. It was Sorcerer Mickey, my all time fav! When the gang came out DD decided she would like a tattoo as well and go Mickey on her arm. DS didn’t want one, this is unusual for him. He loves fake tattoos.

We headed back to Star Tours and DS and I went to outer space! DH stayed with DD and FIL had gone to meet MIL. DS loved Star Tours and decided to spend some of the money he had saved for the trip in the shop. He bough a few action figures and a Sand Trooper costume! After DS shopping trip we watched The Jedi Training Academy. DS didn’t have it in him to volunteer, poor thing! He was dying to be in it! But he looked terrible and I can only imagine how he felt! I offered to take him back to the room but he insisted on staying in the park.

We had poor timing that day and missed the new Playhouse Disney. We had wanted to see it! Oh well, we’ll get to it next time.

We did get to see a “preview” of Block Party Bash!! It was the 13th and it was official set to open until the 14th. DD and I thought it was great!! DS couldn’t have cared less. DH said “what’s a parade at Disney without Mickey?” I tried to explain to him that that was kind of the point. But, like I said, DD thought it was great! It was action packed, full of dancing, jumping, partying etc.

DD got to go out and dance the Macarana and at the end they shot little nerf balls out of ball canons and DD is still happily playing with the one DH caught.

After Block Party Bash it was time to head over to Hollywood and Vine for our early, 4:30, dinner reservation with the rest of the family. We enjoyed our dinner although by this point we were getting a little sick of the same WDW buffet food. Next trip our dining strategy will be a bit different. DS didn’t eat on bite of his dinner and was very warm to the touch. I offered again to take him back to the room. But again he refused.

When we were done with dinner DH and FIL took the kids to see the High School Musical show which was already in progress. No matter what DD was happy to see it. MIL and I went over to the first aid station and I was able to get children’s advil for DS. The CM was super nice and I was completely shocked that the advil was free! I was also shocked my how many people there were in the first aid station! One poor man sitting there all wrapped in a blanket looked horrible!

We then made our way over toward One Man’s Dream. DH and I haven’t gone through there yet and I was eager to see it. DS said he didn’t want to go so MIL stayed with him while the rest of us went in. I really enjoyed! As did DH, DD and FIL! We waited around for a bit after that and had ice cream.

actually, I think the ice cream may have eaten DD...

DH, SIL and BIL decided they wanted to go on the Great Movie Ride so we headed that way and decided to head toward Fantasmic after that.

We got to Fantasmic shortly before 8. The stadium was packed! But thanks to a wonderful CM we got great seats. We sat for a little bit and DS began to cry. I had known all day that he was sick but he wasn’t willing to admit it. I decided to take him back to the room and he was finally willing to go. We stopped along the way at one of the shops and I bought him a DVD to watch back at the room, I felt terrible for him! The poor kids was sick and he had really wanted to see Fantasmic. I promised him we'd go back again on another trip. When we got to the exit I thought about taking a taxi to get back quicker but a bus was waiting for us!!

We go back to the room pretty quickly and stopped at the concierges desk in our building. The girl was able to change the name on the reservation for The Keys to the Kingdom Tour DH and I were scheduled to do in the morning. I figured, and was right, with the shape DS was in at that point I wouldn’t be able to go. I had them put FIL’s name on it so he could go with DH in my place. I was a little disappointed, I must admit, I had been looking forward to this since I made the reservation. But I knew my boy needed Mommy!

By the time the rest of the family arrived back at the rooms DS was fast asleep watching Snow Buddies. They all enjoy Fantasmic, although MIL said it was LOUD!

I got the baby ready for bed and thought he was warm as well, ugh! What a time for the little one to get sick for the very first time!!

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

No worries ... I'm here reading. I like to find reports that are done or pretty far along so I don't have to wait for installments.

Great report. Sorry everyone was getting sick. Hope it turns out okay. Look forward to reading about the rest of the trip.

 

[disneypartyof4]

Just found your trip report. Love all of your pictures, can't wait to read more!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

No worries ... I'm here reading. I like to find reports that are done or pretty far along so I don't have to wait for installments.

Great report. Sorry everyone was getting sick. Hope it turns out okay. Look forward to reading about the rest of the trip.

I'm glad I'm not alone!

Just found your trip report. Love all of your pictures, can't wait to read more!

Thanks!!!

New installment to come tomorrow!

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

Will watch for it. Have enjoyed your posts so far!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Day 7, Friday, March 14th

DH’s 33rd birthday!!

Thursday night/Friday morning proved pretty sleepless for me. The baby was not at all happy and fussed the whole night. My poor baby boy definitely didn’t feel well! Both my boys were terrible sick, it seemed!

DH and FIL got up and snuck out of the room pretty quietly to head for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. I woke up as they left. I'm still in trouble for not wishing DH a Happy Birthday before he left!

Unfortunately, the baby decided now was the time he was actually going to sleep. Oh well, I was able to pack to leave the next day while the boys slept. Poor DD was stuck in the room with me, MIL and her two sick brothers. But she made the best of it and made us very proud! She never complained or whined once!

The boys slept together in one of the beds for quite awhile.


The both surfaced a bit and feel back to sleep at separate times. I knew from seeing both of awake and feeling their burning hot foreheads they needed to see a doctor.

With the other members of the family having been sick earlier in the week MIL had spoken to the concierge about our opinions for medical care. I knew I could either take them to the walk-in clinic or call the doctor service MIL gotten the number of. If DH hadn’t been on the Keys to the Kingdom I probably would have taken them to the clinic but I wasn’t comfortable taking the 2 of them by myself and I wasn’t going to drag DD and MIL with me. So I called the service. One of the doctors called me back within 2 minutes of the page and I spoke to him for about 10 minutes. He explained to me how the service worked, the cost, etc. I told him to send someone out. It was about 11 when I got off the phone with him and the doctor who was sent knocked on the door about 11:45!! I was very impressed!

I answered questions about both boys medical histories and illness. He examined DS5 first because he was awake. His fever was 103.1!!! After a very thorough exam the dr. determined that DS had bronchitis! UGH! He gave DS Motrin and told me to alternate the Tylenol I had been giving him and Motrin until the fever went away and he told me the exact amount it give him for his weight. He also gave DS his first dose of Zithromax. Next he examined the baby. His fever was 102.3! After the exam he determined that the baby had an ear infection in his right ear!! UGH again! He gave me the same info on the Tylenol and Motrin, gave him Motrin and his first dose of Amoxicillin.

The doctor was wonderful! He spent almost 2 hours with us! I felt like I had been to medical school after he left! It was well worth the money, especially because I got it back from the vacation insurance. He told me he’d call the Rx for both boys in as soon as he left and the pharmacy should delivery it within 2 hours. He also told me that since they had had their first doses and 1 dose of Tylenol (I gave them earlier in the morning) and the dose of Motrin he had given them not to be surprised if they perked up and were ready to go again in a few hours.

As he was leaving DH and FIL got back from the tour. They loved it, DH thinks he’s cool now that he has all this Disney knowledge! He says "do you know..." and I just pretend I didn't know it already I took the opportunity to go get lunch with DD, SIL and BIL at Gasparilla’s. I had a delicious Italian Sandwich on some sort of herb bread. It was so yummy and hit the spot!! Then it was back to the room.

DH, DD, SIL and BIL decided to take out Sea Racers. They had a blast! They saw the boat from MK to WL beached somewhere over by the Contemporary!! He said all sorts of Boston Whalers were racing to the scene to get it unstuck! They didn’t see how it happened but DH figured they had gone to far to that side to let another boat pass. They came back with a story that’s for sure!

By the time they got back it was time for us to think about our dinner plans. We were supposed to go to DTD to Fulton’s Crabhouse for DH’s birthday. MIL and I had discussed a bunch of other options incase the boys couldn’t go out. But the dr. was right, the boys had perked up! DS5 was ready to go, he wanted out of the room! The baby was his old happy self again, laughing and smiling. In fact neither one of them showed one sign of beginning sick again!! That dr. must have been magic!! Maybe the medicine had a little bit of pixie dust in it!

So we all headed to DTD. We had a crazy bus ride! I don't know what the drives problem was but he couldn't drive! He stopped at a green light, ran a red and was terribly jerky on the breaks! Ugh!! We did, however, sit on the bus with a really nice family from Canada with a really cute little girl! We go of the bus at the second stop with the family and it was raining a little. I watched in horror as a kid who was wildly swing an umbrella around and around (parents completely unaware) nearly took our new little friends head off! I literally skimmed her face! Her mom was so upset! So was I! The kid just kept walking, parents still unaware!

I headed to guest services because I needed to printout our boarding passes for the next days flight home. I wanted to be at guest services at 5:25, the time of our flight home. But we didn’t get to DTD until about 5:50. I sent the rest of the family to Fulton’s to check-in for our 6 pm ressie and I went for the boarding passes. I was a bit concerned about the time. I knew DH, the kids and I would be able to board between A and B (we fly southwest) no matter what but I was a little worried for MIL and FIL. Somehow we got A boarding!! Another little bit of magic! Yippee!! When I checked in for our flight down I was on my computer at exactly the time 24 hours before and go the beginning of B?!

I very quickly walked over to Fulton’s. I somehow beat the rest of the family there. They must have taken the LOOONNNGGG way around, LOL! We were seated on the top deck and had a great staff of waiters etc. The food was phenomenal! DH had Narragansett Lobster. It was already taken out of the shell with breading and seasoning. He loved it! He's still raving about it now!I had a lobster tail and crab legs. They were so tender and juicy!! It makes my mouth water to even think about it! I can’t remember what MIL and FIL had but they loved it as well. The waiter brought DH a chocolate cake with fudge over the top for his birthday. That was delicious as well! The only thing was the meal was super expensive, at least in my book. There were 4 adults and 2 kid (the baby didn't eat off the menu) and the dinner cost like $400 !! We had2 appetizers which we spilt, MIL and I had wine, DH and FIL beer. Seemed a bit pricy!

After our wonderful meal it was time for DS’s much anticipated and much saved for trip to the Lego Store!! He was very excited! He picked out a few Star Wars Lego sets and we had them shipped home. He asked me countless times between getting home and when the package arrived with his legos would be here!

Then we went over to World of Disney! I did the rest of my souvenir shopping. I had all of that shipped as well. I had already packed and there was no way I was getting it in my bags.

After our shopping trip it was time to head back to GF for bed. We got to our room about 9:30 and went straight to sleep with the intention of getting up early and heading to MK for some final fun before we had to head home!

Sorry for lack of pictures for this day!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

For those interested I started my pretrippie for our upcoming trips! The link is on the bottom of my siggie!

Day 8, Saturday, March 15th

Today is the day we had to go home.

We got up early, got ready quickly, packed up what little was left to be packed, left the bag with MIL and FIL, who intended on taking the morning a little slower, and we got breakfast. After breakfast it was off to MK via the monorail. I took some pictures of the view along the way knowing it would be the last time I see this view for awhile

I love the monorail! And I LOVED staying at a monorail resort! I can't wait to do it again!

We got to MK a tiny bit after 9 and went through security very quickly. DD and DS enjoyed the old shoeshine stand while DH got the stroller. LOL, I had to explain to them what a shoeshine was!


We walked up Main Street and got to see the performers on the Trolley sing “Clang, Clang, Clang, went the trolley…” I was so happy to actually see this performance. Before now I had only ever heard the song on my parks CD!


Then it was off to Fantasyland. We stopped a bit so DH and I could have a little tiff. DH was very excited to share with me the wealth of Disney knowledge he had gained the day before when he and FIL went on Keys to the Kingdom. I felt like was rubbing it in that I didn't get to go. He apologized and promised he'd take me on it in the future and I apologized that I was acting like a brat and told him it was the only thing I really wanted to do this trip. That done with we were off to Peter Pan had been closed for most of the week for refurb and its one of DS favorite rides. We waited only a few minutes and enjoyed our trip to Neverland. While we waited on line there was a really adorable family, Mom, Dad and 3 little ones all probably under 10 who where about to go on their first ride of their first trip!! I felt so excited for them I got tears in my eyes! I gave them a few tips and they thanked my a lot!

DH and I had given the kids complete control of the rides we went on because it was our last day. DS want to go on HM one more time. Of course DD wanted to sit this one out, she’s a lot more timid them DS, and DH wasn’t feeling himself (my thought was great, one more sick person and a sick DH is a lot worse then a 2 sick kids.) So DS and I headed for HM leaving DD and the baby with DH sitting on a bench by Cindy’s carousel. DS and I waited maybe 5 minutes, just long enough for him to make a ghostly face at me

and for me to read him most of the tombstone, which he thought were hysterical! We love HM!! I have a vague memory of riding it when I was a kid but I haven’t been on it since then. It’s great! The stretching room is so cool and all the effects are outrageous!! DS and I bid farewell to HM until next trip and went to find DH and the other 2 kids.

DD wanted to see PhilHarMagic one more time. DS opted out of it because he’s decided he doesn’t like the champagne cork popping part, I’m always willing to go see PhilHarMagic, it’s my favorite! So, DH and I traded kids and DD and I saw PhilHarMagic.


After PhilHarMagic DD and I found DH and the boys, DH had drank a lot of water and was feeling better, thank god! So we decided to head to Toontown to see if we could say goodbye to Mickey before we left. The magic must have been with us that day because we waited less then 5 minutes!! The kids were happy to see Mickey one more time and the baby really seems to adore Mickey!!! He’s definitely my kid! I’ve loved Mickey for as long as I can remember!! We got some pictures and said goodbye.

We tried to go through Minnie’s House next but it was jammed with people waiting to see Minnie, no way! When we left Minnie’s House DS got brave and decided it was time to try the Barnstormer!! He had chickened out twice earlier in the week. I guess he figured it was now or never. So we left the baby with DH and DS, DD and I head for the Barnstormer. We waited maybe 5 minutes and got on. The kids sat in the car infront of me so I could see them. I made the CM who was attending to the lap bars check them twice because I couldn’t do it myself. I apologized to him for making him do it twice and he said it was ok. DS LOVED it!! DD says she did too but I swear I heard her yell “we’re gonna die!” But, she says it wasn’t her, we’ll see if she goes on it next time!

Then we decided it was time to head for the Crystal Palace. We had an 11:50 ADR for lunch and it was probably 11:30. The park seemed packed!!! Crazy packed!! People were everywhere. We felt like we were fighting our way through! Ugh!! I was starting to get annoyed and for a brief moment thought I was glad to get out of this nut house!

Plus it was hot and humid!! It was 11:30 and the thermometer on DS’s stroller said it was 92. We got to The Crystal Palace and MIL and FIL were waiting for us! We signed in and waited a few minutes. The line for the buffet was very long, DH and I usually have the strategy of one of going first and taking DD and the other waiting with the baby and DS and then switching. It seemed like it took DH forever to come back! But, we enjoyed our lunch when we finally got it!! We were inside for a good 45 minutes and had finished lunch before the characters came around and they came around literally one after the other! The kids enjoyed their time, all be it brief, with Pooh, Piglet, and Eeorye. Tigger was the best!! He absolutely adored the baby and the baby returned the feeling!! Tigger spent a lot of time at our table fawning over him. It was so cute!!!


After we had seen the characters and began to wrap up our lunch DD realized that it was time to go home. She got very upset and started to cry. It’s hard to know what to say to your child when their crying for a reason that makes you sad too. But I told her that we’d be back, probably sooner then she knew.


When we left the Crystal Palace MK was a sea of people and it was really warm. We decided it was time to head out. DD and I stopped in The Emporium to buy a few last souvenirs. Then it was off to the monorail station. We hungout in the lobby for a little while and rested. DD and took a walk and took some pictures around the grounds.


Our limo was set to arrive at 3. We went outside about 2:45 it was already there. We had been upgraded to a stretch hummer. I thought that was an interesting upgrade. I much preferred stretch excursion we'd had when we got there. Not to mention the thing wrecked of smoke! It was disgusting Our driver also left a bit to be desired for! He didn't out the luggage in the car. No joke. DH and FIL did it themselves. DH and FIL always help the driver while me and MIL get the kid situated in the car. This guy seemed like he was in a big hurry and was trying to rush us off. We were 15 early! I don't know that I'd use happy limo again after this experience. It really turned me off.

When we got the the airport a very, very rude skycap checked our luggage curbside. All I could think was, back to reality. Security was a breeze and we were off to the gate. We had some time to kill. We relaxed, had a snack and the kids played with a little girl they made friends with. We were a little concerned because we had a 5:35 flight from MCO to Islip, NY. The earlier flight from MCO to Islip had been delayed. But our flight was right on time, we left before the earlier flight! The flight was very smooth and uneventful. We landed back at home, collected the luggage and went home!

We actually got to sleep late the next morning. I never, ever, get up past 7 at home. It felt good. We got up and DH made breakfast. Sunday morning DH always makes pancakes and bacon. Then MIL came over to watch the kids. DH and I had a little trip to make! It was time for us to pick the newest member of our family!!
Yes, our puppy was 8 weeks old, old enough to leave Mommy, and ready to come home!! We've been preparing for him to join our family since he was born, January 21st. We drew names out of a hat to see if DD got to name him or DS got to. DS won the draw so he named him.

His name?

Pluto!

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

Bummer about the sick kids, but at least the meds let them bounce back enough to finish the trip. Thanks for sharing the experience w/ the call doctor. Will file away that little bit of info ... hopefully we'll never need it but it's nice to know.

I feel your daughter's pain about leaving. It makes me cry, too.

Nice way to plan picking up your puppy upon your return. Perhaps that helped ease the pain of leaving Disney.

Great report. Will take a look at your next pre-trip report when I have a chance.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

final thoughts on all the magic this trip...

Traveling with a baby- It was a breeze!!! He was sooo easy and sooo good all week!! He flew really well, he couldn’t have cared less. He slept almost the whole way down and a little on the way home. He had a blast. He loved Mickey and he loved Tigger! He also loved IASW! He napped in the stroller when he needed to.

The Grand Floridian – AMAZING! Being upgraded to concierge was wonderful! The staff at GF where all fantastic! Our housekeeper should get an award for being the best employee! She was phenomenal! Our room was impeccable! She left towel animals for the kids, she even left 2 stuff animals for DD on her birthday! We saw her in the hall many time and she was so genuinely nice! She even checked on us the day the kids were sick! The concierge lounge was great! Gasparilla’s was good. Everything at GF was truly top notch!!

We didn’t find it stuffy or to fancy. I will say 2 things. There were a lot of older people. A lot. Some of them seemed a bit bothered by kids being around. Hello! Its Disney! To us, DH, myself and MIL and FIL, it didn’t feel as Disney as WL or AKL. It felt like a really nice hotel. Depending on who you are depends on that being good or bad.

We wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again. But, we’ll probably wait until the kids are a little bigger. We’ve stayed at AKL, WL and GF now. WL is our favorite by far!

DD birthday – I give my kids birthdays 150% of my creativity and energy. I think its because I’m not fond of my birthday, 12/28. I want every birthday of theirs to be something special and something to remember. This was definitely something special and something to remember from start to finish! There was Disney Magic around us all day! I got choked up many times! I’m so glad we did it! She’s a wonderful kid and she deserved it!

DH asked, “If this was her 7th birthday what are you going to do for her sweet 16?” Start saving now dear!

Our Magical Gatherings Experiences – We did the Magical Fireworks Cruise (on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon for Wishes) and the Illuminations Dinner and Dessert Reception.

Both were wonderful!!

The fireworks cruise was A LOT of fun. I think we all thought that there would be actual deserts before the cruise at the reception, not just snacks. There were no chairs to sit on in the reception room, that was a little weird. But, Capt Hook and Mr Smee were great!!

Our pirate for the cruise was fantastic!! He was absolutely hilarious and so in character! He also was able to entertain the children and the adults at the same time which was wonderful!!

Seeing Wishes from the water was beautiful!! It was the full the effect of how it looks! Unbelievable!

The Illuminations gathering was wonderful from start to finish! The food was great, the staff was wonderful! Our waitress was the best, she even brought us a handful of new pin (our tickets to the event) when FIL lost the back to his. He was crawling around on
the floor looking for it. She saw him and told him “Your on vacation! Get up! I’ll get you a new one!”

Minnie and Goofy coming in to dance with the kids was great! It was wonderful character interaction!

The viewing area was wonderful! I can’t even put into words how beautiful and wonderful it was to see Illumination front row, center!!! When I get the time I’ll download the video that I took of Illuminations and post a link.

We wouldn’t hesitate to do Magical Gatherings experiences again!

CM’s – I only had 1 negative experience with a CM. It was a girl working at Tinker Bell’s Treasures. She just seemed very unhappy to even be there sighed at me.

The rest of the CM’s we came in contact with were fantastic! They really helped make the magic!!

Back in Jan or Feb I sent an email to WDW corp complementing them and thanking them for all the wonder help I had gotten from the CM’s while I was making all of our plans and changing things etc. I did the same for the actually trip. I explained to them that we ruely had a magical time and thanked them telling them that disney magic is alive and well and will be apart of our family forever. A few weeks after I spent the email the phone rang while I was cleaning up dinner. The caller ID said Disney MGM Studios. (I think they forgot to change that) I nearly feel over. There was a very nice women on the phone from WDW corp thanking me for the email and letting me know that they have sent it to higher ups in the company! WOW!

Other guests – There’s been a lot of talk about rude people in the parks. We encountered a few. But truthfully it wasn’t bad. The day we left MK was a mob scene, there were a lot of pushy people. A guy actually cut me on line in The Emporium! It was my turn to make my purchases, I had been waiting for a minute or 2. This guy actually ran, I mean literally ran, to get in front of me. I turned to DD and commented that we just got cut in line and that the guy must have been in a big hurry! SIL and her DH encountered someone on an elevator that made a rude comment about "American germs" if you come to Disney and don't like "American germs" youy should have stayed home!

The good out numbered the bad!

We encountered many people on the monorail, waiting on line, on the bus, at the bus stop, in the stores etc who were so nice! They also, like the CM’s, helped make the magic!!

Dining – We enjoyed Spirit of Aloha more then I thought we would! The food was pretty good, the guys all loved the ribs. I don’t think we’d do it again though. DD and I had a wonderful time at 1900 Park Fare on her Birthday, we may try lunch or dinner in the future! Chef Mickey’s was a hit as usual. We had a great time at Hoop De Doo as usual, especially FIL!! DH and I would like to take trip off of this next time. We’ve been 3 times now. Hollywood and Vine was ok, the same stuff at Chef Mickey’s without the atmosphere. Fulton’s Crabhouse was delicious!! Expensive $$$$ but delicious! Crystal Palace was good as usual, but by Saturday we were getting a little sick of the same buffet food!

Next trip, in Jan, we’re taking my sister and her family. We're going to tsticvk to the old favs but try not to do as many buffets. DH and I can't wait for grownup dining when we go to the world alone in March. When we go with FIL and MIL again we’re going to really try new things for us!

Shopping – I love to shop!!! As usual I spent way too much money! But no where near as much as last time. I’m getting better!

We didn’t have any problem with availability of things. If I didn’t see a size I needed I was able to find it elsewhere either in the same store or in another store.

Crowd level – AKL was packed when we were there! But other then that there were times the parks seem crowded but we never waited long for anything!

Weather – The first day, Saturday, March 8th and Sunday the 9th were cold!!! The rest of the week was nice. It rained Friday night while we were in DTD and the next day was humid and hot. I couldn’t possible do WDW in July or August!!

Length of stay – We stayed 7 nights, 8 days. It’s funny, the beginning of the week I kept talking about staying 10 days one time. By the end of the week we were all so ready to go home. We couldn’t do 10 days!!

Illness – UGH!! When the trip ended only 2 people had felt fine the whole time. DD and MIL. My 2 DS, FIL, SIL and BIL all got sick. I suffered from sinus headache attacks from the Florida Spring and DH suffered from who knows what the last day.

The sickness really held us back this trip. But, like I said to DH, it wasn’t our first trip and it wasn’t our last so it wasn’t too big of a deal.

Best part of the trip – Hmmmmmm, The surprise of being upgraded to concierge was super magical and DD birthday being magical from start to finish were the best parts!!

Worst part of the trip – The illnesses!!! Ugh!! And I missed Spectromagic again!!!!! OMG!! I can’t believe it!! I swore I wouldn’t leave WDW without seeing it! But I did! We would have go back to MK our first night to see it but it was sooo cold I was shivering! I just couldn't do it!

Lessons learned – Everyone being sick really held us back. It completely changed our touring style. The biggest thing I learned is that getting to the park later, 10:30 or 11 messes up the whole day. Next time our strategy will be to get to the parks around 9, or earlier if its EMH, and get back at a decent time at night. Our late night on DD’s B-day was a killer! We also learned its time to try some new restaurants!


We had a wonderful time!! We had a lot of Disney magic around us the beginning of the week! We could have done with out the illnesses but it was bound to happen on some trip. All the planning and time put into planning was well worth it!!