what we found when we finally made it back to WDW--FOR MY NEW FRIENDS NEW EDIT #279

[racefanof88]

Glad you made it home safe. Sounds like your trip started off as an adventure. Can't wait to read more.

 

[chicagoshannon]

WOW that's quite an adventure so far! Can't wait to hear about your universal day.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hood needs work; so it is off in the pic
it has hood clips and the guy forgot to lock them needless to say it flew off

 

[longing2Batdisney]

We woke up around 6:00 am--ate breakfast at the townhouse--called Universal to see if Joe could get his ticket there so we could skip Shades of Green for now...very unfriendly operator said yes just go to customer service... which is suppose to open for 8:00 am it did not open until 8:45 am

we finally made it in the park around 9:45 am
Gwendolyn wanted to start in Suess Landing which was fine with me and Ashton. We rode "cat in the Hat" and "one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish"
Ashton wanted to ride both again and again...
we purchased the meal deal plan (19.99 all you can eat at three resturants--quick service--perfect with the three older kids)

went to "Posideon adventure" Ashton was scared and this messed him up fro a while with other rides and shows...

we made it to 'Jurassiac Park" (spelling) than as we were going to toon town the sky fell out...

after the rain (1.5 hr about)the crowds disappeared we were able to ride what we wanted over and over--it ended up being a great afternoon

Joe waiting for his ticket...

waiting for Joe & Gwendolyn and I wanyed a pic of Ashton's outfit

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Going to MIL's house to p/u the pets. While we were gone she had Buddy (our 4 mo Lab) neutered; Cinnamon (our 12 yr old poodle) had teeth pulled; and Brownie (our 7 yr old Dachsund) had her teeth and ears cleaned**she did not need she just went to the vet a month ago w/ a clean bill of health**. I was also told she would like to keep Sunny (sun conure-bird) for breeding and was going to give us a new baby (no thanks--loud but beautiful bird--and we have enough pets); and she clipped Kaleigh's wings (blue front amazon parrot).
My MIL is an animal nut; FIL is bed ridden and we think this is her sanity (although it started years before he became sick). She has 5 sm dog, 6 or 7 cats (all in a kitty condo); and probably over 100 birds (she breeds) she has cockatiels, cockatoos, parrots of many varieties, sun conures, love birds, amazon greys, etc...

Oh! well no new post today; two hour drive and a nice visit.
have a great day, everyone!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hi Connie! Glad you made it back safely. Looks like you have a great TR started. Love your pics!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Enjoying the trip report so far. We used to go to Universal Studios on our trips but, after going the first two or three times, we decided we wanted to concentrate more on Disney. It's nice to see how the Studios have changed.

 

[racefanof88]

Good pix at Universal. I am thinking about going for one day when we are there in September.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

we ate breakfast at the townhouse; got off to a decent start; the rain held off again until the afternoon

we were able to do everything (except Ashton & I missed Barney --that I had built up for weeks before our trip--we were waiting in line for the Simpson's when I realized it was late in the afternoon; so I did not ride the Simpson's and went looking for Barney--this was when I had my meltdown with Gwendolyn) Gwendolyn was told to call me when they were finished and I would meet them to so Ashton & I could ride ET with them.; They did not call (good thing we rode w/o them--but, Ashton wanted to ride again and I told him to wait)they went ride ET and left Danny w/no phone to find me

they decided to get in the Mummy again before we left they were able to ride it at least 4X's that day.
I did not take many interesting pics this day

see the ugly shark movie prop... check out the next pic

end of the day: he thought it was an ice cream

OH! it is a rice krispie treat

next installment: Bonnie joins our choas...
and we finally arrive at WDW

off note: Dayne, Gwendolyn, (Joe has not said as of yet), and Danny prefer Universal and mostly Islands of Adventures--if it is a slow time of year you can easily do one park a day...we were able to do everything except Barney and the Terminator...w/crowds
I prefer WDW!!! Ashton seemed to like both (of course, his rides are great in all six parks) our next visit will not include the Universe but WDW and Seaworld--we have not been there since 1985. And, Gwendolyn, Joe, and Dayne can plan their own trip--if they join us--I think they will...so I will probably have to add the Universe again **but I don't have to pay this time**
Danny & I said we would probably pay for their room (one room for them to share); but, they will have to pay for food, tickets, and etc.--that is how my parents always take us along on vacations

 

[chicagoshannon]

that shark thing looks creepy! I love that he thought the rice crispie treat was ice cream. lol

 

[racefanof88]

That is a cute picture of Ashton thinking it is an ice cream.

I made Amanda, Tyler and Matt buy their tickets and food. I paid for the cabin, groceries, and several meals, but they bought most of their own food. It has been a long time since we went to Universal. Dale and I went to City Walk in July of 2005, it was raining then too............

 

[leamom2princesses]

Ashton looks cute with his rice crispy treat. Great pics again. I've never done Universal-just not that interested for some reason. Maybe I'll go over to the darkside one of these days. We have done Sea World. Joe and Lindsey like it-I'm indifferent. We will probably try to fit it in again next year because Josie is old enough to understand and enjoy it.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Universal is alot like Hollywood and IOA alot like TOT, RR, SM, and TM it is alot of fun;but I still prefer WDW; I do not ride anything that goes upside down or huge drops...I still need to do SM; I love BTMRR although I skipped it this year...

 

[mickeystoontown]

I soooo agree with you about Universal Studios. It's fun but I like WDW a whole lot more!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

We started our day by packing up the truck, eating breakfast, and went to All Star Sports to check in I had checked in on line, we walked right up to the counter and they had adjoining rooms but our room was not a king. So, she found us a king (IT WAS READY), but, the kids would be on the same floor but down and around the hall we were in 241 and they were in 212; their room was not ready. We unloaded everything into our room.
We left went to Shades of Green to purchase our tickets. We finally made it to Animal Kingdom around 11:00 and we still had to wait for Joe to activate all our tickets. Realized I forgot my camera; so, I had to use my phone for pics...

We got into the park went straight to we walked right on "It's a Bugs Life"than onto dino land to ride Dinosaur and the newer rides (remember we haven't been since '01). So, we got our fast passes and went had lunch. That is when we learned how Disney's parent swap works ***this is the first time ever I prefer the way Universal does something--you walk through the line w/ the child and at the end you sit in a room and wait for the other to get off and than you go right back to the front of the line***we did not care for the parent pass system at Disney.

After this the older kids and Danny left us to go ride EE and the water ride (can't think of the name at the moment). Bonnie & I went see the tigers, Danny met back up with us and we went to Rafaki's planet watch, we went back to catch Nemo but it was full already... that is when the sky fell out...
we sat huddled w/all the other people...later walked over to the safari's this is when we found out it runs in the rain we rode three times the boys LOVED it. We left after this...
we went to DTD to eat that evening and turned in...
Ashton showing us the tiger (there is a tiger walking back there)

Ashton's first encounter w/a character

Ashton loved the Planet watch!!!!

the only parade we caught and the only time Ashton was able to see Donald Duck

will add the few DTD pics next post

 

[racefanof88]

Florida can't say they had a drought this year. I think the only souvenirs Disney sold while we were there were ponchos.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

so, after a long wet day --we went walk through DTD
(now both Bonnie and I are both navigators and we were letting each other take the lead--neither of us p/u a map of DTD)

So, we told Danny to park by the AMC and we went looking for Earl of Sandwich {I know you are rolling about now--Shannon} and we did not bring the stroller along. I would not let Blake sit in it (I felt he was to heavy and since it was not mine) and Ashton wanted to be like Blake--needless to say Ashton was carried...

the Earl of Sandwich was great (sorry no pics--dealing w/a very hungry Ashton it was not possible) Danny got the meatball & coleslaw, Bonnie the club & noodle salad, me the Hawiian BBQ & coleslaw (Danny was suppose to get the potato salad), Blake had the kid pizza sandwich w/choc pudding, and Ashton had the tomato soup. All was very good...

Bonnie & I after a rainy day **why didn't we think to take a pic before we started our day--LOL!

Danny & Ashton w/the lego water serpent

 

[longing2Batdisney]

On Monday, Memorial Day -- it was nice each time we presented our tickets the CM's would ask who was the military person--and would always "Thank" Joe.

We started out day by eating breakfast at the resort and headed over to HS. We rode the "Great Movie Ride" than split up. Danny and the kids went ride TOT & AS; Ashton & I headed over to "Playhouse Disney" where we found the Little Eienstien characters and Handy Manny, Ashton really loved "Playhouse Disney", it really was alot of fun. We than went over to see "the Little Mermaid", Ashton really enjoyed this, too.

We met up with the rest of the group and headed over to "Toy Story Mania", the rain looked like it was on the way after this so we headed back to the resort for a quick bite and to let the rain pass...

Joe took this one so I would finally have one w/me in it... (we didn't have a photopass yet...)

Ashton navigating...

decided he wanted to go see Mickey...

HE LOVED THE CHARACTERS...

he loved Handy Manny...Handy Manny tickles cute little boys...

Ashton & I at Playhouse Disney--everytime you time him to smile he closes his eyes

Next up Magic Kingdom for wishes (I had completely forgot about Spectro until the next day--that is why we missed it )

 

[my2disneyboys]

Great pictures! I was interested to see your pics to see how the rain impacted your trip but so far it doesn't look like it has impacted anything!?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I have one pic coming up of Ashton w/the rain...but we tried to be back at the resort for nap time w/the rain--it usually hit between 1-3 pm; since we did not do dining we just ate most meals at the resort and napped. But, it did impact us in that we missed almost ALL the shows... and I tried to keep the camera away during the rain...we played in the rain one night at Epcot and one night at HS more on that to come...

the pics in DTD it was drizzling on Danny & Ashton by the lego serpent...

But, that gave me more reason to talk Danny into going back soon (that and I want to see WDW for Christmas)