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

[chicagoshannon]

Cute pics and a great update!

thanks!

Awww! The sleeping pictures are adorable.

thanks. I was laughing hysterically trying to get her to open her eyes.

Great updates! Loved all the pics as usual. You guys actually got quite a bit dont in one day. I'm kind of dreading the Toy Story mayhem this summer. Not sure we'll make it to a rope drop or not, but I DO plan a nightime EMH so hopefully we can get on then without a 2 hour wait time. If not, I may have to grab everyone's park passes and do a solo run to the FP machine. (IF you can use a pass at the FP machine that has not been through the turnstiles yet.) Hmmm....maybe I oughta post that one on the parks board. I'm rambling aren't I? I would LOVE to see an updated Star Tours as long as they didn't pull a figment and totally mess it up. The stunt car show in the sun also has me a bit nervous this summer. We'll have our mister fans, but I'm thinking it may be a skipper.

Well, gotta run! Looking forward to more updates.

OH and good show on the Perkins dinner. That's the one thing I'll miss this summer.

oh yeah pulling figment would be awful for star tours. At least they added figment back into the ride. I remember the first year or so that the ride was redone figment wasn't even there I do miss the dream finder though.

I think you need to use all the passes to get into the park in order to use them for FP's. I wonder if you could just put them all through the scanner thingy. THey never had us do finger prints in the morning. We went the entire trip without having our fingerprints done until 1pm on our last day when we went to the MK from Epcot.

THere is a covering on the car stunt show so it's nice and shady and they had those big fans but it is quite the hike to get into the stadium. I think that if you get there like 30 minutes before show time they might let you into the closer side but it was closed when we got there. ALso they have pop machines in the stadium if you're thirsty.

 

[chicagoshannon]

great pictures! I also love the pics of Madeline sleeping. Poor baby!!!
I thought the muppet show was cute. I also really didnt care for the long walk or being crammed in those benches watching the stunt show- we had gone in 07 and I had told Wayne this time- NO way was I going back.

Glad I'm not the only one who didn't think that walk was worth it!

 

[Kirsten77]

We didn't have to take that long walk to watch the stunt show, I just remember standing for awhile in one place and then they just let us walk in and find a seat.

 

[jackieleanne]

Great photos and report and more adorable pictures of Madeline.

 

[chicagoshannon]

We didn't have to take that long walk to watch the stunt show, I just remember standing for awhile in one place and then they just let us walk in and find a seat.

you must have been a bit early for the show. We got there about 7 minutes before show time and had to walk all the way around. BY the time we reached the bleachers the show was already starting.

Great photos and report and more adorable pictures of Madeline.

THanks!

 

[chicagoshannon]

We decided today was water park day. Which park would we choose? Long ago I had decided on Typhoon Lagoon because of the tropical setting. About 2 days before we left I saw a few threads about which park was better and the consensus seemed to be Blizzard Beach because of the kiddie area and "extreme" slides. The entire week I debated back and forth, forth and back.

When we left the condo at 9amish (park opened at 10) I still wasn't sure which one we were going to. At the last minute we decided on Blizzard Beach. I could have sworn we went there on our honeymoon but when we arrived I knew that Eric was righ (darn!) and that we had only gone to Typhoon Lagoon.

Eric had an and more ticket and mom and I just had regular annual passes so we had to go buy our tickets. With that done we waited by the turnstiles. I think at about 9:45 they let us into the park. Who knew they'd have a rope drop at this park too It was nice to be let in early because we could go get changed and still be able to get a chair or 2 in the kiddie area.

We headed first to the kiddie aread, got seats and then Eric took Madeline to a slide while I took pictures (they're on a disposable camera so don't have them for the report) She went down a body slide. I'm not quite sure if she liked it. She didn't seem to want to go another time. We played with Madeline for a few minutes and then I told Eric to go do his big slides before the lines got too long. While he did those we took Madeline on the lazy river. WOW that is the longest lazy river I've ever been on!

Eric managed to get a photopass picture on the slide.

While we were on the lazy rive Madeline sighted the ski lift. She really wanted to ride on it. So after a quick check for Eric by our chairs, the 3 of us stood in line for that. I think we were in line for 10 minutes or less. Madeline loved the ski lift. We got to the top hoping to find Eric for the family raft ride. He wasn't there so we were like should we go on it or walk back down? While we were debating Eric showed up The 4 of us hopped on the ride. That ride is AWESOME! Madeline loved it!

When we got to the bottom we went back to the kiddie area. Took Madeline to the bathroom and then mom got some food for her. While she ate lunch Eric and I found the tube slides. They were pretty fun but that walk up to the top is not!

We got back to the kiddie area and took Madeline on the tube slides there.

She absolutely loved them! I think she went on like 5 times.
Madeline wanted to go on the family raft ride again. We went on it 2 more times minus grandma. It was too rough for her. lol

At about 2pm we had had enough and headed out. We bought Madeline a Nemo beach ball to play with in the condo pool.

We got back to the condo and put Madeline to bed. Eric and I decided that we wanted to go to DTD to see Star Trek that evening. Mom and Dad said that was fine.

So after we got some McD's for them Eric and I took off. Star Trek was AWESOME! We both loved it! For dinner we chose Earl of Sandwich. We split the Hawaiian sandwich. Ghiradhelli was calling our names. I had the peanut butter sundae ( I think called Gold Rush). It was too much peanut butter and not enough ice cream. Or maybe the ice cream had just melted way too fast. I think the hot fudge was too hot. I couldn't finish it. I can't remember what Eric had but I'm sure it was a close to just plain vanilla ice cream as possible. lol

Off to Basin for a Mother's Day gift for my mom. I got her the bath bombs. It was almost time to go but I wanted to show him the lego store first. I thought he'd want to buy Madeline some more Duplo but he didn't. Eric then made an executive decision to take the boat to the West Side. We debated about taking the boat to POR and back but the West Side boat was waiting so we just hopped on that.

It was a wonderful evening! I think we'll definitely miss being able to go out alone on our October trip.


Next time: Mother's day at AK. The Hotter then bleep day!

 

[KathyRN137]

Madeline sure did look like she was having fun on those tube rides!

And I'm with Eric... if I ever was brave enough to ride Summit Plummit...I'd close my eyes too!!

Glad you got to have a "date" on your trip!


Kathy

 

[lisalonglash]

That looked really fun! Unfortunately, we do not have any waterparks scheduled for this trip, maybe next time.

Madeline looked like she was having a blast! I'm with Eric and Kathy - I'd close my eyes too!

 

[MagicShell]

I enjoyed your updates. I LOVE the pictures of sleeping Madeline. She had a big day! I have never seen the Little Mermaid show. It has never worked our for us. I really want to someday. I don't care for the stunt show at all. My son liked it especially the Herbie part, but I don't ever have to see it again. We love the Beauty and the Beast show. We see it every trip.

 

[my2disneyboys]

you know, I never consider the water parks! I guess, I dont want to miss being in the parks!! But they look fun. Your date night sounds SO nice. That is the ONE thing that I wish Wayne and I could do.... But we did the family trip and never again... and I am scared to have someone come to the room to watch the boys. When they are old enough for the Neverland Club I think we will drop them off for an evening so we can have a date night in disney!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm back!! need to find where I left off ... and catch up...

 

[MickeyLover20]

Great report!!! Madeline is adorable! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[MaryAz]

Great uodate. BB looked like so much fun. We had it planned but got rained out....Glad you had a fun night out!

 

[Kirby]

Subscribing. I've enjoyed your trip report. Your little girl is a cutie!

What condos did you stay in? Maybe I missed the name earlier in your posts. Did you like them? I've never stayed anywhere but on Disney property but would consider it if the price were right.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Madeline sure did look like she was having fun on those tube rides!

And I'm with Eric... if I ever was brave enough to ride Summit Plummit...I'd close my eyes too!!

Glad you got to have a "date" on your trip!


Kathy

Having a date was nice and we get another one coming up. I'm not even brave enough for those slides and if I had been I wouldn't have posted a pic of me. No one needs to see pics of me in a swimsuit.

That looked really fun! Unfortunately, we do not have any waterparks scheduled for this trip, maybe next time.

Madeline looked like she was having a blast! I'm with Eric and Kathy - I'd close my eyes too!

Madeline loved it after she warmed up to the idea. Maybe on the trip after this one you can go to a water park. They're fun for a half day excursion.

I enjoyed your updates. I LOVE the pictures of sleeping Madeline. She had a big day! I have never seen the Little Mermaid show. It has never worked our for us. I really want to someday. I don't care for the stunt show at all. My son liked it especially the Herbie part, but I don't ever have to see it again. We love the Beauty and the Beast show. We see it every trip.

I wont' be doing the car stunt show again I don't think. We'll be doing the mermaid show, playhouse disney and beauty and the beast again in October I'm sure.

you know, I never consider the water parks! I guess, I dont want to miss being in the parks!! But they look fun. Your date night sounds SO nice. That is the ONE thing that I wish Wayne and I could do.... But we did the family trip and never again... and I am scared to have someone come to the room to watch the boys. When they are old enough for the Neverland Club I think we will drop them off for an evening so we can have a date night in disney!

I don't blame you. Madeline will be joining us on our anniversary dinner in October. There is no way I'd have someone come to our place to watch her. I'd do Neverland club though for sure. The waterparks are fun but if I only had a week I doubt I'd go.

I'm back!! need to find where I left off ... and catch up...

Welcome back! Can't wait to read about your trip!

Great report!!! Madeline is adorable! Can't wait to hear more.

Thank you!

Great uodate. BB looked like so much fun. We had it planned but got rained out....Glad you had a fun night out!

Sorry you got rained out. There's always next time. We were going to play mini golf but got heated out. lol It was way to hot to play.

Subscribing. I've enjoyed your trip report. Your little girl is a cutie!

What condos did you stay in? Maybe I missed the name earlier in your posts. Did you like them? I've never stayed anywhere but on Disney property but would consider it if the price were right.

Thank you. We stayed at Windsor Hills. It was very nice and super convenient. Much bigger then a hotel room that's for sure! It was 5 minutes or less to Disney property.



I was at my parents yesterday and today so not update. I'll update tomorrow sometime. I have to put more photo's on photobucket first though.

 

[bertegirl]

Wow...we so need to go back when its not so hot. We hardly did anything at Disney Hollywood Studios. I think we rode TOT or Jason did, Rockin Roller Coaster, The Toy Story Ride and watched Playhouse Disney and Beauty and the Beast. We were just too hot to enjoy the park that day.

I so wish we had done a water park after seeing your photos. I didn't realize there would be things for Jenny to ride on!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Wow...we so need to go back when its not so hot. We hardly did anything at Disney Hollywood Studios. I think we rode TOT or Jason did, Rockin Roller Coaster, The Toy Story Ride and watched Playhouse Disney and Beauty and the Beast. We were just too hot to enjoy the park that day.

I so wish we had done a water park after seeing your photos. I didn't realize there would be things for Jenny to ride on!

yeah that heat was a killer. There is a lot of stuff I keep seeing in other people's TR that we missed too. At BB there is a whole section for Jenny. It looked really fun. Austin would even have a whole area to himself too.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Today was our first before park opening ADR. We were headed for Tusker House. Our ADR was for 8:25 am. I wanted to get there early so that maybe we'd get seated sooner. We arrived a few minutes before 8am I believe.

It took us until at least 8am to walk to the turnstiles. When we entered they gave my mom and I a flower. Madeline got one too. We then took a nice leisurely stroll toward Tusker house.

When we got to the bridge we ran into a photopass guy.

This picture cracks me up because Eric looks less then thrilled.

We then checked into Tusker house. They take your picture when you get there.

We sat down and had plenty of time to get our food before the characters came around. There was a decent selection.

The first character we saw was Daisy.

She was ok. Sometimes I dont' think they know how to act around the smaller kids.
Then we saw Goofy.

After Goofy they did the little dance or parade or whatever around the restaurant. Personally I think they could do without that because it's so frustrating to see Mickey or whoever coming around and then a table or 2 before it's your turn they go off for like 15 minutes to dance.

After the parade the big cheese came by

And then Donald started making the rounds. By this time we were finished eating and just waiting. The clock was ticking away. I could tell they were about to do another parade. The handler could tell we were ready to go and just waiting on Donald so thankfull she let him greet us before he left. I'm so glad becaue the characters spent MAYBE 30 seconds with us so waiting another 15 minutes for that would have been torture.

Donald was the best character of the morning for sure.

When we left the line to check into Tusker house was massive. I was certainly glad we ate when we did. We headed off to the safari.

I think we had a 10 minute wait or so.
There were a lot of animals out.

cont'd next post

 

[chicagoshannon]

We ran across the poachers camp but all was fine in the end

We did the animal trail next. Didn't see many animals here though. I think it was too hot.

Next we headed toward Expedition Everest to get fast passes. On the way we ran into more drums.

and a little further down the road we had a family picture done.

We walked past the bird show and briefly thought about seeing it but decided it was too hot. It felt like about 110 degrees out there! We grabbed our fastpasses and headed toward dinoland. The nemo show was at 11:30 (I think) so we'd hit that after Dinosaur. I planned on spending quite a bit of time in dino land but it was way way too hot. Mom took madeline on the flying dinosaurs

and the rest of us went on Dinosaur

We vetoed the dig area and headed to Nemo. Ah air conditioning!

It was a great show. Madeline enjoyed it. After the show we headed toward Everest. This would be our first ride on it. Neither of my parents wanted to go on it so Eric and I got to ride twice. What a fantastic ride! I love it!!!!!

We decided to leave. It was just way way too hot. I wanted to get one special shot before we left though

By now we were all thoroughly melted so it was definitely time to go! I believe we were out of the park around 1pm. There is a lot I feel we didnt' get done here. I'm hoping it's cooler when we go in October so we can see/do more.

Madeline fell asleep in the car ride back to the condo (a 5 minute ride). When she woke up we went to do some hotel touring. We parked at the TTC and then walked to the Polynesian. We then rode the monorail through the Grand Floridian (no one felt like getting out) and to the Magic Kingdom. We hopped on a boat to Fort Wilderness. I wanted to show Madeline the ponies. Unfortunately by the time we got there the pony rides were done for the day but she still got to see them.

We then hopped on a boat to the Contemporary and walked around a little. It was getting kind of late so we hopped the monorail back to the TTC. It was now about 6:30 so we headed to the car and drove to the Outback for supper. We thought it would be crowded but we were seated right away.

We had a decent day. Didn't get all we wanted to done but it was definitely better then last years Mother's Day at Burger King. lol

Up Next Day 10- Magic Kingdom

 

[my2disneyboys]

you didnt mention about the tip from Tusker House... I think i remember you saying that your DH wasnt too happy with the service there. We had to wait 15 minutes for the check it was so annoying!!!!

Didnt you love being in the park before everyone? It is also cool that when you leave Tusker House, you are right at the rope for Safari before the big massive crowd rushes in!!