Who knew you had to plan for a trip to WDW! PTR and TR Combined: Completed

[pajules]

I know I already told you how I surprised my DS about our trip to WDW, but I finally got the pictures I took downloaded into my computer.

To bring everyone up to date, I have been keeping our trip a secret since February and two days before we left decided to tell him. I wrapped up some "disney stuff" in a box with a note attached.

Needless to say he was very excited and couldn't believe I had kept it a secret for so long. Now we just had to wait 2 days and finish some last minute things like packing and then it was off to Disney!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Your little man is adorable!

I'm glad to hear you had a great trip and I hope the food poisoning wasn't of epic proportions! (NOZZUB)

 

[pajules]

First let me say that I am still figuring out the picture posting thing..which is the reason for the large pictures in the previous post. I will try to make them smaller for the next post, but this one doesn't have any pix and after reading I'm sure you will understand why.


Friday, May 2nd

Our plan was to leave after DS got home from school and be on the road by 3:30pm. Everything was going as scheduled and we pulled out of the driveway at 3:25pm. We made a stop at Turkey Hill to get drinks and we headed to the turnpike.

Our flight didn't leave until 8pm and even though it only takes an hour and a half to get to Philly I knew traffic would be a Not only would we hit rush hour but it was a beautiful Friday afternoon and everyone was headed "Down the Shore" for the weekend.

Once we got off the turnpike it was stop and go traffic all the way to the airport. What usually takes a half hour took triple that. Eventually we got to the airport and made our way to economy parking, dropped off the car and grabbed the shuttle to the airport. By this time it was about 6:30pm. Plenty of time to check our bags, grab something to eat and heat to the terminal.

Everything was going as planned, almost too well and later I found out it was just the calm before the storm.

As we walked down to the Airtran terminal I began to notice it was unusually hot. I don't think the air conditioning was working in that part of the airport and of course we were in a section were all of the flights were headed to Orlando and it was packed with families and kids. DS and I stopped at a burger King to grab him nuggets for dinner and I grabbed a turkey sandwich from another stand.

After we finished eating we found some seats and waited for the plane to arrive. A little while later over the PA we heard our flight was delayed from Orlando because of storms in the south. It finally got to the terminal about a 1/2 hour late. Once it arrived boarding was very fast. The pilots wanted to get in the air ASAP. As soon as DS and I got to our seats I went to get his Nintendo DS out and get him situated for the flight when we realized his bag with his games was missing....#@#%&! We left it on the floor in the terminal. I had to wait until everyone was on the plane and then quick ran up to the flight attendent and told her we left a bag in the terminal

So DS and I got off the plane and had to be escorted back into the terminal to look for the bag. Thankfully it was right where we left it, but I could just imagine if security had seen it and the airport was shut down for a "suspicious package."

We got back on the plane and took off...About an hour into the flight DS looks at me and says he doesn't feel well and is having bad stomach cramps. I try to get him to sleep but he can't get comfortable. Then he says he needs to use the bathroom right away! He takes off for the bathroom and is inside for what feels like forever. When he comes out his face is flushed and I know this isn't a good sign. He sits down and eventually falls asleep 20 minutes before we land.

By now it's going on 11pm and as soon as we land he looks at me and says, "I have to go to the bathroom...NOW!" Meanwhile the aisle is filled with passengers trying to get off the plane. I ask if he can "hold it" and he looks at me and says "I''ll try."

As soon as we get into the terminal he makes a mad dash for the bathroom and is inside for 20 minutes. I finally had to go in and check on him. Thankfully at 11pm there weren't a lot of people in the airport. I ask if he's okay and he says he has diarhea....oh great!

We grab our bags and head outside to look for DGM who is picking us up. We find her right away and head off to Silver Lake Silver Points. We probably only went a couple miles down the road when DS announces he needs to go to the bathroom...again.

We find a McDonald's and he runs in and it's another 20 minutes before we're back on the road. Now it's going on midnight and DGM misses the turn to the condo and we're headed down some dark...and I mean dark side road when DS says we need to stop the car. There's no where to pull off and seconds later I hear a "Blehhhh..." Yep, he threw up on me.

I put the window down and tell him to stick his head out to get some fresh air and then tell DGM she needs to pull over....NOW! We find a spot where we can safely pull off and DS jumps out of the car.....

Eventually we get to the condo. DS makes another trip to the bathroom and proceeds to continue this routine every hour all night long.

I let him sleep in the next day and by noon he was feeling alot better and was ready to "hit the parks."

Coming up...Our first day at Walt Disney World

 

[chcmama]

Oh, I'm sorry your ds wasn't feeling well, that must have been a rough flight and rough night. I'm glad he felt better later that day. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

 

[askelton]

That is the worst kind of sick to be. I'm glad your DS was better soon and ready to hit the parks!
​

 

[PrincessV]

As soon as DS and I got to our seats I went to get his Nintendo DS out and get him situated for the flight when we realized his bag with his games was missing....#@#%&! We left it on the floor in the terminal.

Oh no!!!!

Thankfully it was right where we left it, but I could just imagine if security had seen it and the airport was shut down for a "suspicious package."

Hooray! Can't you just see the bomb-sniffing dogs gathered around the Nintendo?!

About an hour into the flight DS looks at me and says he doesn't feel well and is having bad stomach cramps. I try to get him to sleep but he can't get comfortable. Then he says he needs to use the bathroom right away!

Poor baby! that is the absolute WORST. benn in that position once and it was not fun.

Yep, he threw up on me.

Nothing says "I love you Mommy" quite so well as puke.

I let him sleep in the next day and by noon he was feeling alot better and was ready to "hit the parks."

for a fast recovery! Think it was the BK?

 

[pajules]

Think it was the BK?

Yup...I'm pretty sure it had to be the chicken nuggets weren't fully cooked. So, if you're flying out of terminal E at the Philadelphia Airport, avoid the BK. Trust me, you'll thank me later!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Oh my gosh!!! That is terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Hmm.. very odd... I ended up double posting but the system kept saying I had to wait 40 seconds and so it wouldn't post it. Twilight zone at the boards today perhaps?

 

[MomsOf2boys]

"I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...."

Okay, that's not exactly true, but I'll be back next sunday after my 7 days at Disney and 2 days hanging with relatives in Ocala.

I can't thank you enough for all the stuff I've learned about Disney vacations. I wasn't just kidding when I chose the title for my PTR. I honestly didn't know people did this. (wait, is that a good thing or a bad thing ) Thanks to you I'm heading south prepared and ready for battle...no rain, no love bugs, no screaming kids can hold me down! Okay, one screaming kid can and that's only if he's mine and when that happens, sometimes I try to pretend I'm invisible....I'm sorry to say though it only works in the movies!

So, I've got my tickets, camera, itinerary planned (best days for each park), touring guides, ADR's, hidden mickey spots, good walking shoes, glow sticks/bracelets for fireworks, HDMH's for bags, must have in park snack list.....oh and I packed clothes too.

Oh, one last thing that I thought was funny. Last night was open house at school and I was talking to my son's teacher about the trip and she asked if he was excited, etc....I replied..."Yes, DS can't wait!" I actually called him "DS" to someone...she just looked at me funny. I laughed on the inside, blushed on the outside.

But yes, Brady (that's his name) is over the moon and says he may even take a picture with a character Keep your fingers crossed!

Can't wait to write about the trip and "finally" post some pix.

See ya in 10 days!

Good thing you weren't talking about CM's as someone might wonder if it had anything to do with BM's? "We had some great CM's at the hotel"

 

[LISAMWDW]

Poor little guy! Hopefully it got out of his system!

 

[pajules]

After a very restless night I was worried today was going to be a bust. But, fortunately by around noon DS's stomach seemed much better and he was ready to hit the parks.

Our first stop...Epcot.

Don't you just love the glasses!

It's probably been 10 years since I've been here. I came back in the 90's with a bunch of friends but for some reason, I just don't remember much about Epcot. It probably has something to do with our attempt at drinking around World Showcase.

Because I seemed to have deleted my memory cells from that trip Epcot was as new to me as it was to DS. By the time we got there, the park was pretty filled with people. Since I had read the UG and gotten lots of tips here on the DIS I knew our first step was to get a FP at one of the more popular rides. We decided to get FP's at Soaring and made our way over to The Land. Once inside DS announced he was hungry. I was a little worried about giving him anything to eat but thought we would at least try something. He decided on the "make your own mini sub" and I got spicy shrimp sushi roll. It was pretty bland and I wish I would have gotten the goat cheese and beet salad I had read about, but oh well I guess I'll save it for next time.

After lunch we grabbed FP's for Soaring, but they couldn't be used until 5:45-6:45pm I guess we would have to wait. We headed over to watch "Honey I Shrunk the Audience." It was okay. DS seemed to like it more than I did...he freaked out when the mice got loose and screamed like you wouldn't believe when the snake did too. Of course we both got a chuckle and a little wet when the dog sneezed. After this we went into the Kodak area where you can do all of the funny pictures.

This was ours:

Next we headed over towards Fast Track but it was a 75 minute wait. Mission Space was also a long wait. DS was starting to get a little grumpy and wanted to ride some "real rides." We decided to head over to Animal Kingdom. As we made our way to the gate we stopped to grab a strawberry smoothie because it was HOT.

Then made a shortcut through Innovations

Grabbed a few more pictures...

...and headed off to the buses. We didn't have to wait very long and before we knew it we were there.

DS was much happier because he knew this park. We were here for a day back in 2006 so had a pretty good idea of how the park was set up and which rides he wanted to go on. Our first stop was the Boneyard in Dinoland. He ran off some steam and I sat down and took a breather. Next it was on to Primevil Whirl which is DS's favorite ride at AK. Unfortunately it's not mine. But, like a good Mom I sucked it up and went on 3 times...in a row!

Finally I had to call for a break. That ride is brutal for adults! DS agreed and we decided to walk over towards EE. But not before stopping to get a quick pic.

DS was still trying to decide if he wanted to ride EE or not. I think he was a little scared of the Yeti. After watching for a little while he decided he wanted to wait. No problem, we would be back tomorrow.

We stopped to grab a few more pictures of the monkey's

and then it was time to head back to Epcot to use our Soaring FP. It was back on the bus and back to Epcot. By now it was about 5:30pm and the crowds were thinning out. We walked over to The Land, walked into the FP line...which was great since there was still a 60 minute standy. Soaring was defiintly the best way to end our 1st day. We both LOVED it! I have to say, it was probably my favorite ride of the whole trip. DS kept putting his arms out in front of him like he was superman and kept saying, "This is awesome." I had to agree. I loved the wind in my hair, the smell of the oranges, and even the golf ball. The only thing I would add would be if they could add mist on your feet when you fly over the ocean...now that would be cool.

By now we were both pooped. It had been a long day without a lot of sleep. We gave DGM a call and she was waiting for us by the time we got out to the parking lot.

Once we got back to the condo, we had KFC and some mac and cheese and I think everyone was asleep by 9pm.

All in all, a great first day, but we still had lots to do.

Coming up, Day 2: Animal Kingdom again...will DS tackle the Yeti and ride EE?

 

[PrincessV]

I just don't remember much about Epcot. It probably has something to do with our attempt at drinking around World Showcase.

I may or may not have had a similar experience.

Or three.

I love this pic! And I have to comment on your hair, which looks FANTASTIC! I have a very similar cut, but can you say FRIZZY? I'm so jealous of yours right now!

Next it was on to Primevil Whirl which is DS's favorite ride at AK. Unfortunately it's not mine. But, like a good Mom I sucked it up and went on 3 times...in a row!

OMG! You deserve some kind of medal for that.

Soaring was defiintly the best way to end our 1st day. We both LOVED it!

Awesome!

The only thing I would add would be if they could add mist on your feet when you fly over the ocean...now that would be cool.

This is a GREAT idea!

 

[LISAMWDW]

Good stuff! Keep it coming! Glad you DS was feeling better!

 

[askelton]

Next it was on to Primevil Whirl which is DS's favorite ride at AK. Unfortunately it's not mine. But, like a good Mom I sucked it up and went on 3 times...in a row!

You are a better woman than I!

The only thing I would add would be if they could add mist on your feet when you fly over the ocean...now that would be cool.

Since I wear flip flops, my feet are bare for Soarin' and I always want to feel water on my toes.

...will DS tackle the Yeti and ride EE?

I hope so!!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Next it was on to Primevil Whirl which is DS's favorite ride at AK. Unfortunately it's not mine. But, like a good Mom I sucked it up and went on 3 times...in a row!

God. Bless. You. 3 Times.

The only thing I would add would be if they could add mist on your feet when you fly over the ocean...now that would be cool.

Great update! Can't wait for more!

 

[pajules]

Today was Sunday and while we all wanted to sleep in today, I knew that getting up early would get us into AK and out by noon. Our goal today was to hit EE...hopefully and the rest of the park that we didn't the day before.

After getting everyone up, dressed, and fed we headed over to AK and got there right around 9:10am. As I mentioned before my Mom (DGM) was also on the trip but didn't have tickets to the parks. We also only had one car, but she was happy to be our own personal driver. She dropped us off and picked us up every day and it couldn't have been easier. When we got to the gates we just told the CM's she was dropping us off. Then she went to where the taxi's do drop offs and we got door to door service.

The big question today was would DS ride EE. We'll get to that part of the day in a little bit, bit first things first we made another stop to Dinoland and yes another stop on Primevil Whirl, followed by another ride....I think that brings my ride total to 5 and unfortunately it didn't end there.

Finally I convinced DS to ride something else and we took a spin on triceratop spin.

From here we headed to Everest to grab FP. DS was still a little nervous, but I told him we could grab the FP's and he could think about it for a little longer. Next it was off to Kali River Rapids. I forgot to mention that we tried to ride this the day before but it was shut down. DS decided to pass for now on this too and instead we went looking for gorilla's....

We also saw some mear cats which DS thinks are soooo cute.

After trekking through the jungle, DS was feeling the beat and got down!

Then it was back to EE

We got right in the FP line and DS didn't even hesitate, he was READY! Along the way we both enjoyed looking at all of the pictures and items on display. Then we got into a big discussion about the Yeti and if he really existed. After seeing some of the photos, DS was convinced he was real and I didn't feel like spoiling anything for him. I'm lucky enough that he still believes in Santa Clause too!

When our train arrived we were in the last seat. There were two teenage boys in front of us and they were great about getting DS pumped for the ride. Once we started, DS got really into it and screamed, "Everyone put your hands in the air." It was so funny! He was fine until we got to the part of the ride where the track ends and from then on I'm not really sure if he saw much of anything because he grabbed my arm and proceeded to put it over his eyes. Even in the picture they take on the ride you see me and then you see DS with my arm over his eyes

But I was very proud that he rode it and decided to reward him with a pin. We got an EE pin which he then told everyone was extremely rare and you can only get at AK. Again, I didn't want to burst his bubble they were available all over WDW. When we were at the counter paying, he got some pixie dust....an EE sticker from the CM for braving EE.

I had hoped our next stop would be "Tough to be a Bug"

But DS is majorly afraid of bugs. We're talking freaks out when he sees an ant. So we bypassed this and decided to call it a day. The sun was extemely hot and the park was starting to really fill up. We made our way to the exit and on the way out ran into a bunch of characters. You all know this story. All I wanted was one picture with DS and somebody. I honestly didn't even care who...just one. We saw Flik from a Bug's Life and there was no line. I got out the camera and asked DS to take my picture, which he did

But I was hoping that after that he would let me take his picture. Well, boy was I wrong. DS proceeded to lecture me that not only did he not like characters, but this one was a BUG....duh!

It was back to the condo where we had lunch and then DS and I both fell asleep. After dinner we had planned to go over to DTD. We piled in the car and headed out. First stop World of Disney to officially start DS's pin collection. We headed to the pin section where DS got a lanyard and a pack of POTC pins for trading. Then it was over to the boys section to look around....

He also made his first pin trade with a CM. Second stop, the Lego store.

Then it was off to my stop for the night....Goofy's Candy Company.

Yup, I got dark chocolate covered pretzel sticks with peanut butter cups, chocolate chips and caramel. Holly goodness! I snacked on this all week long.

After waiting for my pretzels to "chill" it was getting pretty late...only 10pm for normal folk. But DS usually goes to bed at 8:30pm and anything after
9pm and he's dragging....okay I am too

So back to the condo and a good night's sleep...

Day 3: Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!

 

[chcmama]

I'm enjoying it so far. I can't believe you rode primevel whirl so many times, I rode it once and I think dh rode it 3 times with the girls. I did not enjoy it, to jerky for me. Can't wait to read more.

 

[askelton]

Whoohoo for DS riding EE!
​

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Glad to hear your son rode EE! I am psyching my son up for it now. Told him I will need someone to ride with in case I get scared. hahaha