Where does the time go? 10/1/05-10/8/05 Photos added!!

[momoftriplets]

We headed out of EPCOT with the rest of the group. We took our time. The kids were all excited about IllumiNations & had to tell me all about it. We liked seeing Spaceship Earth all lit up. We also thought the lights in the sidewalk were pretty cool.
Even though we took our time, of course there was a long line for the bus & it seemed to take a long time to get there. We did see what we assumed was an empty bus sitting off in the distance at the parking lot. After awhile we all started thinking it was messing with us. Just sitting there, while we were waiting for a bus to take us back to the resort. I have to add this: I can't believe no one (at least that I've heard of) gets hit by a bus when they leave EPCOT. It certainly wouldn't be the driver's fault, either. So many people were truly walking right in front of buses as they were trying to get to their cars. YIKES! Watch out, people!

So, The Bus finally comes. I will try to make you understand how I felt once the bus got moving. We were lucky enough to be able to sit. However, you know how it is. SRO. After the bus left, the "trading of seats" started taking place. You know. People giving up their seats so others may sit. A woman giving up her seat so a man holding a baby could sit, an older man offering his seat to a younger woman, DH gave up his seat as well. You've seen it. You've been part of it. A lot of the people on that bus didn't even speak the same language, but they understood the motions. "Here, you take my seat" with the jesture spoke volumes when they didn't understand the words. Perhaps it was because I was tired, had been sick (but was better by that time) or maybe it was Disney Magic, but all I could think of was, "We're all on the same bus trying to help each other out while we get to the same place." Then I thought of it on a much larger scale. We are truly on the same "bus" (planet) trying to help the next person, while trying to get to the same place. (Where ever that may be for you.) Does that make sense? I just felt a profound sense of "oneness" with the people on that bus. I hope I explained that.
Up next: Blizzard Beach & DH going 60 mpg

 

[momoftriplets]

Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Are you still reading? Bless your every lovin' heart!
So this was to be one of our non-park days. We had ADR's for O'Hana & then were headed to Blizzard Beach. We took the bus to MK & the monorail to Poly. Signed in at O'Hana. Even with ADR's it took quite a while to be seated. We had a table by a window, but couldn't see MK from there. Bummer. O'Hana had just added Lilo & Stitch to this Character breakfast & the kiddos were excited to see them. DD1 loves to talk like Stitch, so she was eager to "converse" with the little alien. However, when he finally got there, she wouldn't talk to him. Our service was a bit slow I thought, but not too horrible. The food was not bad. We have learned long ago that we were definately there for the characters, not so much the food. However, I will point out that it was at these TS breakfasts that I finally got a decent cup of coffee. I finally stopped trying at the ASMo food court. Discovered later (from DIS) the food courts only use instant coffee. HOW DARE THEY!!!??? Anyway, I was less crabby with a better cup of jo. We saw Lilo first. As she was signing autograph's a manager-type CM came to our table to tell Lilo that Stitch was being naughty & she had to do something about him. She gestured like, "What am I supposed to do about him?" Cute. We could hear Stitch from a few tables away. He would dump out the sugar & jelly, then blame it on the children sitting at the table. He took the backpack of the child sitting next to us & wouldn't give it back. He sat at another table & banged his coffee cup, like he wanted service. The kids loved it. He didn't do much when he got to our table. (The sugar & jelly were already out of his reach.) I think he mussed someone's hair, though. Pluto was a lot of fun. Kiddos thought it was funny that he had to put the autograph book on his nose to sign it. Had to explain he can't see around his rather large nose. When Pluto was walking over to our table, DS had my camera. Pluto posed while DS tried to take a photo. He continued standing there when DS had problems & didn't get the picture on the first try. Very patient dog. That picture is one of our favorites of the whole trip. Got a great shot of Pluto with all the kiddos. Turned that one into our Christmas card. We saw Minnie & Mickey, too, of course. Liked the parade, even though only 2 kiddos would participate, for only part of it, & only if I joined them. Next time, hopefully they will try it on their own. I'd like to try O'Hana for dinner nex time, too. Have heard good things about it.
Up next: Inclement weather at Blizzard Beach

 

[momoftriplets]

OK - so I'm going to forge ahead and just assume someone is reading this. If not, that's OK because I'm having fun reliving the trip. I'll just be in my own little "world".

So we took the bus from Poly to Blizzard Beach. Kiddos had really wanted to do this when we were there in 2003 so we promised we'd hit it this time. Arrived shortly after opening. Few light crowds. We changed into our suits & got the locker rental. Went to stake out some chairs. (Not a hard thing to do, because, like I said, no crowds.) We were sitting in the sand, under an umbrella, getting ready to venture out, when the voice on the loud speaker said there was impending weather & the park was temporarily closed. No rides were available, get away from the water. Were told by a CM we couldn't sit under the umbrella, so we moved in further & played in the sand. It actually took awhile for the weather to clear. Sprinkled a bit, but nothing too horrible. Then we were off.

DH wanted to try Summit Plummit right away, so I took the kids to the mini-slides. Didn't watch DH going down SP that time. He told me it was the longest 3 seconds of his life! He felt like he was stepping into thin air as he was getting onto the slide. He ended up going down 3 times. We did watch him the other times & I got a great shot of him coming down by using the "sports" setting on my camera. He was clocked going 60 mpg!!!! WOW!

DS wanted to do Teamboat Springs, so, up we went. All 130 some stairs. Yes, I counted. This slide was so fun we did it at least 5 times. (Let's see, 130 steps, multiplied 5 times... hmm....carry the one.... YIKES! No wonder my feet hurt.) Now, you may ask, why didn't you use the chair lift. Go ahead - ask. BECAUSE IT WASN'T RUNNING! It was working for a very short time & we took it up once, but it stopped & started a number of times while we were on it. We just finally gave up & used the stairs. Yes, all 130 of them. On our first trip up the stairs, we stood & enjoyed the view. We could see so much of WDW from up there. I wish I could have brought my camera, but it's not waterproof & I wasn't going to walk all the way up there, snap a picture & then walk back down. As we were still on the raft, at the end of Teamboat Springs, a CM is standing there, in the water, with a camera. Let's take a picture to commemorate our Teamboat Springs adventure. I really wanted a picture of the 5 of us on a ride (attraction) and I knew this was my best chance because DS is so not a thrill seeker. (I would have loved one from ToT, but I knew that wasn't going to happen.) Anyway, we had the picture taken. Initially, it was against my better judgement. There I was, in my bathing suit, wet hair, and no make up or glasses. Turns out I absolutely love that picture. It really captured the fun we had on that ride. We are all smiling really big, our hands & arms around each other. Great shot. OK this may be , but we really need to know something about the photo's taken at BB. Imagine the layout of our photo: From left to right, DS, me, DD2, DD1 & then DH on the very right-hand side of the photo. He is sitting with his legs crossed, Native American style. (Forgive me if I offend anyone with that reference, but I need it to explain the photo.) Anyway, DH is sitting like that & the BB logo it right *there*, if you get the drift. Now, this has made DH rather uncomfortable. I told him, I'm sure the BB logo is always in that spot. You just happened to be sitting right there in our photo. So, we need to know, Is the BB logo in the lower right hand corner of all the photos, or, as DH asks, Were they trying to cover something up. Please help me put his mind to rest. We really love that photo, as does everyone else who sees it, but the question always comes up, Gosh, Dan, what's going on here?

After having lunch at Lottawatta Lodge, we walked up the other side other side of the mountain & went down the individual slides. Great fun - lots of stairs. DD2 & I went on the lazy river while the others went on Teamboat Springs again. We found out later, the dripping water in the tunnel is not heated! Man was that cold! All the other water that gets shot at you or drips on you is heated, but not that tunnel. Next time, we'll get out & walk around the tunnel. All in all, we had a great time at BB. We left around dinner time, laughing & exhausted.

When we got back to ASMo, DD1 begged to have a hair wrap. I had been putting her off. Last time, they all had their faces painted at MGM Studios, & were looking forward to it again this time. I told her, if she got the hair wrap, she couldn't get her face painted. She was OK with that. So she had her hair wrapped. For those of you not familiar with this, they take a strand of your hair, towards the back & wrap 3 different colors of string around it. It gets held in place by some beads that your purchase to put at the end. DD1 had shoulder length hair at the time. I think it cost $1.50 an inch. With the beads I think the total was about $18-20. I was chatting with "the guy" while he was wrapping her hair. Remember, I chat with everyone. I asked if he needed to take a class to learn how to wrap hair. Yes, & he needs to be licensed, too. I found that surprising. Don't know why. Anyway Guy said the wrap would stay in her hair for anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. I gotta tell you, I finally cut that string out of her hair three months later!!! Well worth it. Lasted much longer than the face paintings, too, I might add. You can see the wrap in her school pictures & everything. It was quite a conversation starter.

Thanks for reading!!!

Up next: Our longest day, literally & figuratively! DD2 melts down - watch out!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am very much enjoying your report! We were at WDW two weeks after you and your report is bringing up some good memories. You also have me thinking maybe we should think about switching from a moderate for our December trip to getting two value rooms, adjoining. Something to ponder! Keep it coming!

 

[momoftriplets]

I am very much enjoying your report! We were at WDW two weeks after you and your report is bringing up some good memories. You also have me thinking maybe we should think about switching from a moderate for our December trip to getting two value rooms, adjoining. Something to ponder! Keep it coming!

Thanks so much for reading!!! I would totally recommend 2 adjoining rooms at the value resorts. Like I said, I couldn't imagine the 5 of us in one room at a moderate.

Now ----- does anyone have an answer about that BB logo?

 

[byoung]

Thanks for the report.

 

[princessjv]

I am reading! We were there from the 4th-13th and we are from MN too! Boy it was hot and HUMMID that week!

Keep it coming!

 

[monymony3471]

I am reading and will keep on reading. I have to, you have me sold on riding Soarin' now.

We went to BB in 2003 and I got on the ski lift with my son without even thinking the effect it would have on me and I, the grown adult, flipped out on this thing. I freaked. I guess I'm afraid of heights, the poor kid who was sitting with us probably thought I was a crazy lady. I was holding on to my son as if he was about to fall off. I was shaking and crying and couldn't wait to reach the top so I could get off. My husband was behind us and when he got off, he saw the look on my face and I practically collasped in his arms.

After that, there could have been 500 steps. I didn't care, we walked the rest of our trips on that slide. I remember counting about 127 steps. I could have bee a few off.

 

[BeckWhy]

I think that parents and children should be complimented on their good behavior more often. I try to do it whenever I see children being good.

 

[pumba]

I have a problem with imax things too and the first four or so times on SOaring I opened one eye or shut them both......and then peek again.....but the last six times I loved it.....yes we had good luck going on the ride.....totally awesome..

My niece and family went to disney last year with their triplets who just turned 9.......one girl and two boys.......they had an awesome time....glad that you did too....

Thanks for posting

 

[momoftriplets]

OK, OK! I'll quit whining that no one is reading! Thanks for validating me!

Pumba- 6 times on Soarin'? How lucky is that? I wish we would have been that lucky!

BeckWhy - We do catch our kids being good & praise them often. As you will see in my next post, we ran those poor kids ragged that one day at AK & MK with EMH. DD2 was just soooooo overly tired. We made it us to them.

monymony3471 - YIPPEE!! You'll try Soarin'! Be sure to let us know how it goes when you get back! About the chair lift at BB - yeah, I didn't like it too much either. I could be off on my count of the stairs, as well. I just know there were a boat load of stairs at that place.

Stay tuned. I will try my best to post the start of our very long day, later tonight.
Barb

 

[BeckWhy]

I am eagerly waiting for your next post... this is the first trip report I have actually read the whole thing.

 

[jaycns]

Sounds like you guys had a whole lot of fun! Thanks for sharing it with all of us!

 

[momoftriplets]

Wednesday, October 5, 2005
This was our longest day in the parks. We knew ahead of time it would be, so the previous night, after we got back from Blizzard Beach, we were pretty laid back at the resort. We also took our time in the morning & had breakfast in the ASMo food court. Here is what we had planned for this day: Animal Kingdom til it closed at 5:00. Then we had a 6:00 ADR for Boma. (I really wanted to see AKL & had heard great things about Boma.) After dinner, we were going to hit MK for EMH hours til Midnight. Wishes was at 9:00. It was our only night to see it because of MNSSHP & our schedule. I had missed IllumiNations. I was NOT going to miss Wishes. Wasn't sure if we would last til midnight, but we were going to try.

DH works with a woman, whose son is a performer at Festival of the Lion King. Coworker told her son we were going to WDW. Son told coworker that DH should call him when we get to WDW, tell him when we would be in AK, & he would get us priority seating for FOLK. Cool. So after our adventures at BB, DH calls coworker's son. We told coworker's son we would be at the 10:00 show. He said, be at the the exit of the theatre at 9:30. He wasn't working that particular day, but would set everything up for us. As we get to the exit of the theatre, the crowd is just getting out from the previous show. We wait for them to pass & DH starts to walk up to the CM. CM asks, "Are you Dan?" "Yes." "Great. We'll be ready for you in a minute." I was impressed. Not that coworker's son had made the arrangements (we were very thankful for that, BTW) but that DH didn't have to say a word. I was afraid he would have to say, "I'm Dan & so&so said blah,blah, blah..." Anyway, we waited a few minutes when a different CM told us to follow her. We went into the theatre & it was completely empty. We had our own "handler". The CM put us in the very front row & told us to wait for her after the show so we could go meet some of the performers!!! That we were not expecting. It was so cool being that close. Just watching the performers close up was amazing. A lot of them waved to us as they walked/danced by. Timon really played up to DS, who was sitting on the end of the bench. Timon put his arm around DS & kind of cowered behind him during the "Be Prepared" song. He (Timon) also posed right in front of me so I could get a great shot of him. All this, while the show was going on!!! TOO COOL!!!! So after the show, we waited for the CM to come get us. She brought us down a hall way & through a back door. We were in kind of a small courtyard behind the theatre. Then about a dozen of the performers came out. Lots of the animal characters & the one main narrator-guy. Don't remember his name. Timon was there, too. We chatted with them briefly & got our pictures taken with them. Talk about a magical moment. They were all so kind & gracious & appreciative of us for coming to the show. That was a one of a kind experience. We couldn't stay long because ther was another family waiting to greet them & then they had another show to get ready for. A few months later, when we were watching the Christmas parade from WDW & we saw a lot of the same performers!! We were like, "Hey - we met him, & her, & I think her, too...." It was a very special time for our family.

I'm not as familiar with AK as I am some of the others, so I will do my best telling you what we did. As long as we were in the area, we got autographs & photos of the characters. Then we headed over to DinoLand. We walked right by the tree of life. When we saw It's tough to be a bug last time, DD2 flipped out & DH had to take her out of the theatre. We decided not to risk it this time, so we headed over to DinoLand. DH wanted to ride Dinosaur. Kiddos were terrified of it last time & it didn't matter to me one way or the other, so DH went to that while I took kiddos to the Boneyard. They liked "digging" for artifacts while DH did his thing. Cell phones came in handy, yet again. DH called a bit later. "Where are you?" "Potty break." We all went on Primevil Whirl. I must be getting old, because spinning rides just don't do it for me anymore. It was good because it was something DS would go on, so we could enjoy it together, even if we were in 2 different cars.

So it was lunch time. I had heard great things about Tusker House & wanted to give it a shot. So we walked all the way through the park to get there. DD2 decides, there's nothing she wants on the menu. Come on, honey. You can try ---, or You like ---. Nope. No good. (We hoped this attitude wouldn't continue all day.) She wanted burgers - which were aaaalllll the waaaayyyy bbbacccckkkkk whhheeerrre weeee just came from! OK - let's just get some food & then everybody will be much happier. So we're standing in line, along with everybody else (I really gotta work on that!) when we asked DD2 to go find us a table. Experience tells us, when DD2 gets in a mood, distract her & make her feel helpful. (In her defense, she is really such a sweet girl, but when she gets like this, she will argue with you about the color of the sky.) So they all go off DON'T LEAVE THE BUILDING!!! & come back a few minutes later. We found a table. Great! We omitted the part - sit at the table so no one else takes it. After giving these instructions, we were good to go. So, tummies full, attitudes much better all around. See how that works?

So kiddos decided they wanted to do Primevil Whirl again. Maybe it should be called Primevil HURL, instead!!! OK - I can't be the only one whose ever thought of that!!! I'm sure we didn't do this right after lunch, but can't remember what we did in between. Anyway, I went with DD1 & DS. Which leaves DH & DD2 in the car behind us. As we're exiting the ride, laughing all the way, for some reason I turned to look back at DH. He's got this puzzled look on his face. "Where's my cell phone?" "Gosh, honey, I don't know." It was no longer clipped to his belt. Great!!!! Let's just lose the phone in WDW!!! DD2 wanted to do flying dino ride - what is that name!!??? Triceritop Spin - there it is!!!! So I put her on that while DH went immediately back to Primevil Whirl to look for his phone. I thought it was gone forever, but a few minutes later, he came back with it!!! The CM had just found it on the ground. It must have hit against the side of the car & flown out. It was pretty scratched up & didn't work. Miraculously, it worked just fine the next day! It was as if it needed just a little rest after getting thrown around, then it was OK. We didn't care - we were just glad it was found & it worked.

Then we walked past Expedition Everest & took a few pictures of the construction. Yet another reason to go back soon. Kali River Rapids was calling to us. DD1 & I wore our ponchos. (See previous post about wet socks & such.) The other 3 goofballs didn't. As we went down the last hill, the raft spun & DH got SOAKED!!!!! We were laughing so hard. As we exited the raft & walked past those waiting to get on the attraction, I pointed to DH, telling those waiting in line, "This could be you.....This could be you." We couldn't believe the number of people who asked him, "Where were you sitting?" Like it matters!!!!!! I still laugh hysterically about that!!!! Because we were already wet, some more than others, we decided to go again. The same thing happened! DH got the brunt of the water. He didn't care. Like he said, what's the difference between soaked & drenched? Not a lot! As we were sitting in the raft, waiting to exit, one of Florida's wonderful afternoon showers hit. It is the sunshine state, afterall. I tell you, that rain was worse than attraction. We all got drenched. Even my socks got wet - you know how I feel about wet socks. (OK - I know - I should have planned ahead, put shoes & socks in a locker & wear watershoes on this attraction. I heard this tip AFTER we got back from WDW. There's always next time.) So we were drenched. It was 3:00. Park was closing in 2 hours. ADR for Boma in 3 hours. Told DH, we can't go to Boma like this. Not only will it be very uncomfortable, we will freeze in the air conditioning. We decided to cut AK short & head back to the room to change.
Up next: The LLLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG Walk to the bus & Boma or no Boma?

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I just started your entire trip this morning! I want to read the rest It's Great. I think that is really cool that you found out how they calculate the wait times. And do you make it to Boma?

 

[lindakmonty]

waiting to hear more !!!!

 

[momoftriplets]

So we were soaked and had decided at 3:00 to head back to the resort to change before headiing to Boma for 6:00 ADR's. You would think 3 hours would be enough, but No, sorry. As we walked back through the park, towards the exit, we took our time & enjoyed the sights & sounds of the middle trail part. (I realize I'm not doing AK justice by not knowing what that area is called, but I will apologize personally to AK next time I get there.) Well, about this time, DD2 (sweet girl) decided her shoes were way too wet & didn't want to wear them. I can relate to this, but I'm 40 & she's only 8 (at the time.) Sorry, honey, you have to keep them on. I don't want to keep them on. But you must, it's the rules. So it starts................. We headed to the exit & the bus. Well, because of the rain, everyone was heading to the exit & the buses. DD2 didn't want to wear her shoes, then her legs were tired. Sorry, we can't carry you. These 2 sentences were repeated many, many times on the way to the bus. (What color is the sky, Jenn? Purple. - You get the idea.) When she's in these moods, I try everything. Here's my Mommy Guilt coming out. I try talking to her, I try not talking to her, I try reasoning with her, I try being stern with her. It's best to just let it run it's course as best we can. Well, those poor people waiting in line with us had to hear this, too. SORRY!!! Because there were such lines for the bus, it took quite a while to get back to the resort. I tell you All Star Movies never looked so good!!!!

By the time we got back, we would have had to change our clothes & then leave immediately to allow enough time to catch a bus back to AK, to then get another bus to AKL for 6:00 ADR's at Boma. That was not going to happen. DD2 plopped on the bed & turned on the TV. I tried to explain the situation to her. She didn't care. (Did I tell you she's a lot like me?) She was not moving from that bed. OK. Let's reassess the situation. Trying to rush her out the door would get her in more of an uproar & would be no good for any of us. She was quite obviously telling us she needed some down time. SOOOOO, here was the new plan: We'll give her the down time she needs. I called Disney Dining & asked if they had a later ADR for Boma. The CM from DD was fabulous. The only thing they had was 9:00. Sorry, I'm watching Wishes at MK at 9:00. Do they have anything for the following night? Sure ---- at 9:50 p.m. Who eats that late? I said, sorry, we have 3 small(ish) children & a mom with poor blood sugar. We need to eat earlier than that. I finally conceded that we were not going to get to Boma. (See here's another reason to go back. I need to make a list!) Before the CM would cancel our ADR at Boma, she made me say the words, "Yes, I want you to cancel our ADR for Boma tonight." She knew I wanted to go & didn't want to cancel it for me until I was certain there was no way we would make it. So I had to think of a new, new plan. We were on our way to MK for EMH. Were there any TS ADR's anywhere in the park for later that night. No, sorry. OK ---- Good thing I'm a quick thinker. We would scrap our TS for that night but pick it up the next night. I asked CM to check other TS places for ADR's at a reasonable time for the next night, but it was to be one of our non-park days, so it would have to be at a resort. She asked where I wanted her to check. I threw out some names that I had heard on the boards here but none of my suggestions had openings for the following night. Finally I said, "You know these restaurants better than I do. How about if you just go down the list & see what you find?" She came up with Maya Grill at CSR for 6:00 the next night. Great. What a help she was!! So - here was the updated plan - We would rest at ASMo for a bit & then head to MK for EMH & just grab dinner at a CS there. Great!!! We're on!!!!

Everyone's shoes were still wet, of course, so we wore our sandals. I hate wearing sandals in the parks because I just feel they don't support your feet well enough & you end up with sore feet. I know other's would argue that thought, but - hey - it's my trip report! Everyone's shoes were vinyl/leather so they were dry by the next day. DD2's shoes were canvas & it literally took DAYS for them to dry. She ended up wearing her flip flops a lot.

Up next: evening EMH at MK. Magic!!! Plus, part 2 (or is it 3?) of DD2's rough patch (she really is a sweet girl!)

 

[momoftriplets]

After being couch potatoes for a bit, we were off to EMH at MK!! We were excited. I can't remember what time we got there, but it was early evening. We went immediately to get our wrist bands for EMH. This was set up right in front of the camera shop. One CM put each of our tickets (cards) though her hand held reader, then we moved on to the next CM, who gave us our wrist bands. Very fast & efficient. The memory card on my digital camera was full, so I wanted to download it onto a disc. The camera shop did that for $12.99. The CM told me I could download as many times as I needed to onto that same disc & it wouldn't cost me anything else. They provide the service for free, you just have to purchase the disc. After downloading the chip, she put the disc into a laptop to confirm my pictures were there. Perfect. $12.99 was much cheaper than buying another memory card that I wouldn't use again (until I got back to WDW.)

We saw a few minutes of Cindarellabration before it started raining & the show was cancelled. We headed to BTMRR. While we were in line for BTMRR, a guest asked what our wrist bands were for. Of course, I told her. We also hit Mickey's Phiharmagic on our way to TomorrowLand. When we got to Space Mountain, the CM wouldn't let the group in front of us into the line because they didn't have wrist bands on. We also did Buzz & I think I actually beat DH this time, even though he was shooting me in the back of the head!!

It was probably about 8:30ish by now & we were really getting hungry. Decided to grab food at Cosmic Ray's & grab a couple of tables in Tomorrowland where we could eat & then just wait for Wishes. DH & I each had the pork sandwich at Cosmic Ray's. It was really good. When we were ordering our food, I asked a CM for a rag to wipe the outside tables with since they were still wet from the rain. I was perfectly willing to take the rag myself, wipe the tables, & bring the rag back, but she wouldn't hear of it. She followed us all the way out the restaurant, to our tables near Space Mountain & wiped them down for us! Bless her heart!! So tummies were full once again. We hung around our tables for a while & then WISHES!!! Boy, am I glad we didn't miss that! It was so wonderful. Well worth the effort to get there.

After Wishes, we hit a few of the other rides, but the main thing we rode was BTMRR. DS loves this attraction! By this time, it was about 10:30. There were virtually no lines. We would get off the train, run around to the entrance & get right back on again. The second time we did this, we asked to sit in the very front. Not a problem. The third time in a row we rode the train, the CM (who gets everyone off the train) looked at us & said, "Why don't you guys just stay there?" We loved it!! That was the best! Riding 2 times in a row without having to exit. COOL!!!

We finally decided to head out of the park. I loved seeing the castle lit up. Took some great shots of it. My favorite is where you can see a perfect reflection of the castle in the water. Beautiful.

We stopped for a snack on the way out. The cart's card reader wasn't working so they didn't want us to use our snack credits. Wrong!!! The CM's ended up just giving us our snacks without using any credits. The bag of DD1's popcicle had a hole in it, so the popsicle fell onto the ground. Because of the number of dirty feet that had walked in that very spot that day, the "5 second rule" didn't even begin to apply!! CM didn't seem pleased when I asked for a different one. I had just gotten it for free, you know.

So, snacks in hand, we headed out of the park. The bus lot was soo full & DD2 started up again. She was SOOOOOOOOOO tired. I want mommy. Mommy's right here honey. Mommy. Yes, sweetheart. If you get any closer to Mommy, you'll be behind me. We knew, because the line for the bus was so long, we were going to have to stand. DD2 didn't WANT to stand. She wanted to sit. DH & I decided we would just get on the first available bus for ASMo & not worry about sitting. Once on the bus, DD2 continued her crying/whining. A wonderful gentleman offered his seat to me. I declined, but told DD2 to sit. She didn't want to sit. Yes, honey, please sit. I don't want to. Finally, DH, in his deep Daddy voice, Jennifer, SIT DOWN!!! She did & fell asleep holding my hand on the ride back. YIPPEE!!

We survived our long day at AK & MK! Horray!!!

Up next: Typhoon Lagoon, or no?

 

[BeckWhy]

Wow! I am proud of you guys! I can't do all that and I'm only 23! (Well an out of shape 23 year old.) Anyways, I love hearing your story. I can't wait for more!