Who Turned on the Heat?! Our sweaty 2 weeks in May! Final Thoughts.

[chicagoshannon]

Great day at Epcot!!! That is where I messed up on the characters. We were there for the EMH one night and I had seen the fab 5 and shouldva taken Ashton than but I wanted to catch the rides (but, good thing I did it the way I did--you'll find out why in my TR later) and it was raining pretty good that night and he just looked washed out.

I think we will have to try a tour next time; if my dad comes I know he would love the "Behind the Seeds", sounds interesting...

Can't wait to read about that in your report! I'd say the tour would be perfect for your dad. I was the youngest person on the tour by about 20 years at least. lol

LOVE this picture; we skipped Daisy; each time we passed there was a 30 min wait--which meant 45 min (with breaks)

It's one of my favorite pictures. That's why I ended with it.

Holy crow!!! You've been a busy little poster! All your pictures are fabulous, as usual! I can't wait to try WCC - it looks like you all had a blast there! I'm so jealous of your date nights - heck, we barely get any of those at home, never mind on vacation!

I'm sad that you're up the last day though

We dont' get that many date nights at home either. I think maybe once every 3 months or so sounds about right.

 

[CherylA]

I just started reading yesterday but now made it all the way through. I really enjoyed your TR, I'm so excited to read a TR that finally makes it all the way through, lately everything I read the poster stops half way through and never comes back. Your daughter is adorable BTW. Thanks for letting me tag along!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I just started reading yesterday but now made it all the way through. I really enjoyed your TR, I'm so excited to read a TR that finally makes it all the way through, lately everything I read the poster stops half way through and never comes back. Your daughter is adorable BTW. Thanks for letting me tag along!

I've read a bunch of reports that never finish too. I'm not the type of person that can leave something unfinished though. In fact I'm going to put our last day up now.

 

[chicagoshannon]

We had nothing scheduled for this day except packing up. I didn't feel like I had an adequate chance to shop so my mom and I thought we'd hit up Downtown Disney one last time. After the debacle with trying to upgrade Eric's ticket the day before we decided he'd come too to get that figured out. That meant we'd be bringing Madeline along with us. My dad was staying home to sleep. He had enough of the sun.

We headed out right at opening- well the opening of Guest Relations anyway. DTD opened 30 minutes later this week then the previous week. Who knew. Eric got his ticket taken care of no problem. YAY! He now has 4 days left to use later AND 8 and more options. When ever will we use those.

Madeline had been asking to ride on a bus the entire trip. Eric took this opportunity to take her on one while mom and I shopped. They caught the bus to Port Orleans.

While they were gone mom and I got another box of potato head parts for Madeline, some more treats from Goofy's and hit up World of Disney again. We didnt' get anything there.

We called Eric and he was heading back on the boat. We met them at the dock. They had a fabulous time. Madeline absolutely LOVED Port Orleans French Quater. She played with the gators, played in the park, and walked around a bit. This was another time I wished Eric had the camera. She was a very happy camper. We thought POFQ would be a good option for our possible trip in October at that point. Where would we decide to stay??

We headed back to the condo. We might have gotten lunch on the way back or eaten something there I dont' remember. I do remember going swimming though. It was our last chance to swim for a while.

Eric is wearing a shirt because he got sunburned pretty bad at Blizzard Beach. He almost didn't come with us to the pool. We headed back to the condo for nap time and pack time. I think we hit up IHOP for supper. It was raining by this time. I think this was the start of the torential rain storms they had.

We had to pack up the car in the rain. We left at around 4am the next morning. We wanted to stop at Dinosaur World on the way home since we couldn't on the way but it was yet again raining. Maybe next time.

We arrived home in the afternoon the next day to a lawn 18 inches long

THE END!

Next time: the wrap up. What did we miss, what do we hope to do next time.

 

[my2disneyboys]

Shannon!
Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. I love all the pics- but that picture with Madeline and Daisy is perfect!!!!! I LOVE it!!!!!
We just stayed at POFQ this time- we had stayed at POR last time and I dont know why I just liked it better... I had a really bad experience at check in and I think it just made me not like the place this time It really is good for the little kids though- being so small and the pool area is great for the little ones! The busses were great- we had the rental but sometimes took the bus to MK and it was always there in 5 mins or less! But before I go on anymore I will have to read your next pre trippie to find out where you will be staying on your next trip!!!!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Shannon!
Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. I love all the pics- but that picture with Madeline and Daisy is perfect!!!!! I LOVE it!!!!!
We just stayed at POFQ this time- we had stayed at POR last time and I dont know why I just liked it better... I had a really bad experience at check in and I think it just made me not like the place this time It really is good for the little kids though- being so small and the pool area is great for the little ones! The busses were great- we had the rental but sometimes took the bus to MK and it was always there in 5 mins or less! But before I go on anymore I will have to read your next pre trippie to find out where you will be staying on your next trip!!!!!

yes you'll have to wait and see what we chose.

 

[khertz]

I joined in late, but I just caught up with your entire TR. It looks like y'all had a great time (minus the heat of course!). Madeline is just adorable, I loved all the pictures of her with the characters. Now I'll be watching for your October TR later this year!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Thanks for sharing your extremely long vacation with us. (Jealous!) Although I'm not jealous that you drove. I've done that before and will never do that again!! You guys had a wonderful trip and I'm glad I got to experience it through your TR!! I can't wait for you to start your PTR for the fall!

 

[Kirby]

I want to stay at POFQ next time we go to WDW.

When you begin you PTR, just post on this thread and all of us will get the heads up! I'd love to read it and hear all about your next trip!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I joined in late, but I just caught up with your entire TR. It looks like y'all had a great time (minus the heat of course!). Madeline is just adorable, I loved all the pictures of her with the characters. Now I'll be watching for your October TR later this year!

We did have a great trip. Thanks for reading!

Thanks for sharing your extremely long vacation with us. (Jealous!) Although I'm not jealous that you drove. I've done that before and will never do that again!! You guys had a wonderful trip and I'm glad I got to experience it through your TR!! I can't wait for you to start your PTR for the fall!

Thanks for following along. Your trip was almost as long

I want to stay at POFQ next time we go to WDW.

When you begin you PTR, just post on this thread and all of us will get the heads up! I'd love to read it and hear all about your next trip!

I'll probably start the PTR tomorrow sometime. I'll definitely post the link here and in my siggy.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I want to get my PTR started tomorrow so here are my final thoughts from our trip.

1.) Driving wasn't as bad as I anticipated with Madeline
2.) Going with a 2 year old was definitely NOT a waste. She loved it and talks about it all the time!
3.) Taking grandparents along is a good idea IF you either have 2 cars OR stay on property so you don't have to all stay together.
4.) Getting to the parks early is definitely a good idea!
5.) when you go as a family for the first time with a toddler it's a good idea to spend most of your time in the Magic Kingdom


Things I wish we could have done more of:
a.) Hotel touring. We didn't see any of the Epcot hotels or Animal Kingdom
b.) Animal Kingdom. Felt like we didn't do much here, it was too hot.
c.) exploring Main Street.
d.) roaming around Fantasy land
e.) taking our time!

Over all we had a wonderful time. Even though I complained about my dad a bit I'd take the grandparents again in a heartbeat. It was wonderful watching them spend so much time with Madeline. Now I'm ready to go with just us, the family of 3.

 

[MickeyLover20]

It sounds like you had a great trip! I can't wait to take our daughter, I'm not sure when but hpefully in the next 2 years or so, she is only 6 months old. I will definitly be following along with your next trip!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Great report Shannon! Thanks for letting me follow along.

Like your final thoughts. You will have to take the wishes and put them into the plan for the October trip. Can't wait to start reading that PTR!

 

[KathyRN137]

Wow, Shannon! You have been a busy poster!

I am glad that I caught up on your last day! Isn't it fun to finish a report and then segway straight into a PTR?!

I had so many chapters to catch up with that I can hardly fit in all my thoughts, but a few are:

I'm so glad you and Eric had date night together! I love walking around the MK with Ed, just doin' a whole lotta nuthin but soaking up the atmosphere!

You certainly did get hit with a lot of high temps, but I'm glad you missed all those rainy days that a lot of other DISers got!

The sun and heat, plus all the walking must've been tough on your Dad... I'm sure he'd enjoy WDW a lot more in the cooler weather. We made two trips with Ed's Aunt (78) and it certainly is "different" when you room with and tour with older people... they naturally have a different rhythm than parents with young kids. There's a reason its called the Generation Gap!! But, seeing Madeline have so much fun must've been such a treat for them both!

I'll definitely be on board for the PTR... I hope you choose POFQ. We've stayed there twice and loved it!!


Kathy

 

[MaryAz]

Great TR, loved all the pics! Thanks for sharing your special trip with us!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Shannon,
Thank you for sharing your family fun... I have enjoyed pre travel and now post travel w/ you. Can't wait to follow along on your next adventure...

Oh! and I completely understand what you mean about shared travel

GREAT REPORT

POFQ is wonderful!!! we are thinking CBR or POFQ next go round I want to do AKL but don't want to pay the price

Connie

 

[chicagoshannon]

It sounds like you had a great trip! I can't wait to take our daughter, I'm not sure when but hpefully in the next 2 years or so, she is only 6 months old. I will definitly be following along with your next trip!

We took Madeline to Sea World and Universal when she was about 10 months old. The trip was fine but not really any lasting memories from that trip. She was 2 years and 1month on this trip and it was just amazing. I think anything 18 months and later is a good age.

Great report Shannon! Thanks for letting me follow along.

Like your final thoughts. You will have to take the wishes and put them into the plan for the October trip. Can't wait to start reading that PTR!

Yes and speaking of "wishes" we'll have to make sure to see that next time too!

Wow, Shannon! You have been a busy poster!

I am glad that I caught up on your last day! Isn't it fun to finish a report and then segway straight into a PTR?!

I had so many chapters to catch up with that I can hardly fit in all my thoughts, but a few are:

I'm so glad you and Eric had date night together! I love walking around the MK with Ed, just doin' a whole lotta nuthin but soaking up the atmosphere!

You certainly did get hit with a lot of high temps, but I'm glad you missed all those rainy days that a lot of other DISers got!

The sun and heat, plus all the walking must've been tough on your Dad... I'm sure he'd enjoy WDW a lot more in the cooler weather. We made two trips with Ed's Aunt (78) and it certainly is "different" when you room with and tour with older people... they naturally have a different rhythm than parents with young kids. There's a reason its called the Generation Gap!! But, seeing Madeline have so much fun must've been such a treat for them both!

I'll definitely be on board for the PTR... I hope you choose POFQ. We've stayed there twice and loved it!!


Kathy

yes my dad was a bit frustrating but nothing like your Aunt Ruth. He's also not quite 60 yet so a bit younger then her too.

Great TR, loved all the pics! Thanks for sharing your special trip with us!

Are you writing a TR? I need to find it.

Shannon,
Thank you for sharing your family fun... I have enjoyed pre travel and now post travel w/ you. Can't wait to follow along on your next adventure...

Oh! and I completely understand what you mean about shared travel

GREAT REPORT

POFQ is wonderful!!! we are thinking CBR or POFQ next go round I want to do AKL but don't want to pay the price

Connie

I just noticed your ticker. Maybe I should put one up.

 

[chicagoshannon]

PTR is started here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32141174#post32141174

please join me.

 

[Kirby]

Ahhh, I can't believe your trip report if over! I enjoyed reading it so much. On to your PTR........

 

[lisalonglash]

Great wrap-up, Shannon - I'm sad your TR is over

However, I'm off to your PTR now!