Wonders10's First Dis Report *NEW* 5/4 Part 4

[Wonders10]

Part 1

This trip came about a few months ago. We’re from south Florida after all so we tend to go to WDW quite often. For the past few years, it has been once in the spring (April/May) and once in the Fall/Winter (sometime in Oct-Dec). It depends if we want to feel all Christmas-y or if we want to eat and drink at the food and wine festival. Summer is almost always out – it’s just too darn hot and crowded and since we can go at other times of the year, why would we do that to ourselves?

Since I haven’t mentioned my traveling companions yet, let’s do so shall we?

1. Me (Shannon) I’m 25, a graduate student, and I love WDW. Duh – who on these boards doesn’t? I plan and plan while my mom rolls her eyes wondering why I have to plan so much. I try to explain to her using food as an example since its something we both enjoy. “Mom, do you want to know that you have a seat at your favorite restaurant? Or do you want to just assume they will squeeze us in, and when they can’t, you will complain about how awful your lunch is elsewhere, and say that next time we should make reservations?” This has happened almost every single trip we’ve taken. I’ve learned my lesson. Make at least one PS a day and plan your day around it. It makes everyone much happier. Also, I get grumpy if I’m hungry and I can whine like a baby if I’m so inclined. I try to control this at WDW though – it’s usually not too difficult. My favorite ride is anything at WDW. I like the cheesy classics and the thrills. It’s all very, very good.

2. Mom, will also be known as Grandma during this trip, her age is appropriate to being a mom/grandma. Wants everyone to be happy and never says what she wants. Truly lives for other people’s happiness. Favorite ride? Tower of Terror.

3. Claire, my niece, mom’s granddaughter. She’s 5, almost 5 ½. Absolutely adorable little girl with a heart of gold. So smart, sometimes I forgot she is only 5. Next year she will be in gifted Kindergarten – that’s right Kindergarten, Gifted Kindergarten. I had no idea that even existed. Anyway, she has been so many times (6?) that she could probably name all of the rides. She has a new fear of, well, all things fearful. I’m hoping that she will come out of this a little during our trip. Although I can’t blame her. I was, and still am, the same way about many things. Her favorite rides are Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Figment, Soarin’, and the Tea Cups.

4. Owen, my nephew/godson, mom’s grandson. He’s 3, almost 3 ½. Their birthdays are 2 years and 5 days apart from one another. I couldn’t really think of a Disney character that fit me, my mom, or Claire, but Owen definitely has one. Stitch. He wanders and wreaks havoc, but at the same time can be the sweetest little boy you’ve ever seen. You know you’ve spotted us when I or my mom is constantly saying “Owen, over here” or “Owen, look out” or just plain “Owen” to bring him back to Earth. Honestly, he’s a good kid but he’s a 3 yr old boy and it shows. He’s also in speech therapy right now which is neat since that is what I’m getting my master’s in. Everyone always turns to me when they cannot understand him. So sometimes there is a lot of “say it again” or “show me” or “I don’t know what you’re saying”. Luckily he is so patient with us and we usually figure it out. He loves Pirates and the Tea Cups. I’m hoping and praying that he has grown a few inches because I really want him to hit the 40 in mark so he can go on all the “big boy” rides. Plus it will be a heck of a lot easier to get Claire on the rides of he can go. She doesn’t want to leave anyone out, especially her little bro. My gut tells me he hasn’t but I’m a glass full kind of girl so I’m holding out hope for a last minute growth spurt. He hasn’t been as many times as big sis, but his count isn’t too shabby either, about 3 trips.

So that’s the crew.

You might be wondering were the kiddies’ parents are. Well they are around. Just not anywhere near Disney. They aren’t really Disney people. They’re not even, “let’s do it for the children” Disney people. My SIL never went as a child so I don’t think she gets it and my brother went once or twice and liked it enough but would rather see other places. Me? I could live there. Literally. Give me a blanket and a pillow and a bench on Main Street and I’m good to go. So we will take the kiddies to WDW for some special time with Grandma and Aunt Shannon while Mommy and Daddy have some alone time.

Because we’re Fl Res and visit so often, our trips are usually 4 nights or less. This is for a number of reasons. 1) I feel bad keeping the kiddies away from their parents for too long. 2) It gets expensive. 3) I don’t like to leave my pooch, Phoebe, at the “Pet Lodge” longer than 5 nights and 4) shorter trips = more trips.

For this trip we are arriving on a Saturday and leaving on a Wednesday. That gives us 3 full days and a half day (arrival day) to cram in as much Disney magic as possible. This go round, we’re staying at POR. I love this resort to bits but I have truly been spoiled by the Poly, specifically Poly Concierge. That’s where we stayed our last two trips and the convenience alone is worth the money in my book. But we are trying to be a little more frugal this go around so we’re “slumming” it (not at all) at POR. I’ve got my POR DMVC ready to go to save us even more money!

I’m really looking forward to this trip because this semester (as I type, it will be over in one week!) has been killer. Papers, Projects, and Phonological Disorders Oh My! I don’t think I’ve worked this hard in school since 5th grade. Seriously. I’ve always just gotten by in school with A’s and B’s without too much effort but not anymore sister. Now I have to work at it. A lot. But it’s grad school – I’m supposed to be busting my butt right? Anywho, once school is out, I have 3 weeks of bliss and that is when this trip will take place. In the middle of the bliss. I don’t have to pack a school book, a binder full of notes, and I don’t have to worry about all the extra work I’m gonna have to catch up with once we get home. Fabulous.

Something that I have started to notice as I plan and go on more and more Disney Vacations is that not only do I pay for hotel, tickets, food, etc. but I buy clothes. Practically an entire new wardrobe of “park attire” that I will only wear when at WDW. Sure, I might bust out a top or two down the road, but for the most part, I only wear these things at WDW. I try to tell myself that it is ok. And that maybe other people (probably women) do it to, to some extent. I’m from Florida and all, but I hate wearing shorts. I feel naked in them. For the past few years I have lived in capris and skirts. But I can’t wear those at WDW. Other people can pull it off, but I cannot do capris and sneakers (aka tennis shoes, running shoes, etc.). My legs are short and capris are practically full length pants as it is. The last thing I need is a pair of sneakers hiding more of my skin and me looking like I’m wearing pants from the 5th grade. And a skirt? At WDW? Uhh yeah right. No one needs to see a woman in a flowy, flowery skirt and Nikes climbing out of Space Mountain. As for tops, I’m weird about wearing sleeveless because I don’t really like my arms although I’ve seen other people’s arms in sleeveless clothing that looked much worse than I think mine look. But still, I try to look my best even though my body isn’t the best right now. Anywho, in case you all haven’t noticed it – Florida is hot. And I don’t like to be hot or get my nice clothes sweaty so I have to buy *new* tops and bottoms for the parks. And since I can’t do capris, skirts and sneaks or sleeveless at the same time, I need to get shorts too. Thank goodness Bermuda shorts are the in thing right now because I don’t feel quite as naked in them. And so the vicious cycle continues about 2-3 weeks before our trip. I start thinking about what clothes I want to take, realize I would never wear that to a theme park and head to the mall where I buy shorts and tanks that I will probably never wear again. Don’t get me wrong, my entire vacation wardrobe isn’t new – usually just an outfit or two. And with the Bermudas being as popular as they are right now, I think they might make it out of the closet a few times this summer. And for the most part, I’m trying to be as frugal about buying these new items as possible since I know that I probably will not wear most of it again. Hi. I’m Shannon. And I’m a shopaholic.

Up Next – Our arrival or “Get off the phone - we're late!"

 

[TammySB]

Cant wait to read the rest of your report!! Keep it coming

 

[mouseaddicts]

tooo funny!!! I have two DKs who were/are also in "Gifted Kindergarten" - yeah, they have it. My son's in it now & my daughter was, but now she's in 3rd Grade going on High School!!! She's a trip .......

Shopping for new clothes .....
Okay, I'll fess up .... I'm guilty! Not only do I buy myself new WDW clothes, I buy them for EVERYONE!!! Right now, we have clothes and SHOES on layaway for our July trip! Oh well, we'll look good, right?

 

[jackdis]

Enjoying your report so far......

 

[Wonders10]

Part 2

The day has finally come.

Luckily we don’t have to get up too early because we can’t drop off Phoebe (the dog – catch up people) until 9am. Don’t get me started on how annoying this rule is. Pre-Phoebe, we’d be on the road by 6am, 6:30 tops. But not anymore. I know I could have dropped her off the night before but the thought of us sitting at home while she is alone at the “hotel” is just too sad for me.

I know, spoiled much?

Anyway, just as we are waiting to walk out the door, my mom calls my neighbor to ask her to get our mail for us. She tried calling the night before but their daughter was on the internet and they have dial-up. And here I was thinking that I was the last person in the world to finally switch to DSL. Guess I was the next to last. Either way, we are starting to run late. Late by my standards anyway – I had a strict plan to leave at 8:40 and it was already 8:46 when my mom dialed the phone. My neighbor is a very nice lady but she can talk and gossip til the cows come home. It didn’t help matters that there is some serious gossip about my other neighbor that she just had to share with my mom. The conversation was going something like this:

Mom: okay well we’ll see you when we get back…
Neighbor: blah, blah, blah…police came…blah, blah
Mom: wow, okay thanks…
Neighbor: blah, blah, blah…when are you leaving?
Mom: right now
Neighbor: Oh. Did you hear about blah, blah, blah…?

Finally she got off the phone and we all loaded into the car. About 10 minutes later Phoebe is pulled from my grip. I remind myself that I’m going to Disney so I don’t cry and we’re off to pick up the kids. They live about 40 minutes north of us, on the way to WDW.

When we get to their house, the kiddos are sitting on the sidewalk in their carseats, with their suitcase without Mom or Dad anywhere in sight. We load the kids and we’re off.

Actually what did happen was even farther from that scenario. The kids were not even packed yet. The suitcase was still in the closet, the kids’ clothes were folded in piles on the kitchen counter, and Owen was walking around with no pants on. But mom and dad know that we mean business so the packing was done pretty quick. We loaded up their car since we’d be taking it instead of my moms (DVD players are a gift from above) and we were off after a few hugs and kisses from mom and dad (for the kids, not me). As I mentioned, we took my sister in law’s car mainly because it is roomier (a Honda pilot compared to my mom’s Saturn Vue) and they have a DVD player. These kids can talk up a storm so anything to keep them quiet and occupied is a blessing. However, all they wanted to watch was The Letter Factory. I never knew this company had DVDs but I did buy their fridge phonics sets for my nephew for Christmas. It teaches you all about the letters, what sounds they make, and how they make words, etc. The DVD’s are about 30 min in length and it took us about 2 hours and 30 minutes to get there. You do the math. If I didn’t know what letters made what sounds before this trip, I certainly do now.

Finally I saw the best exit on the Florida Turnpike – Osceola Parkway. Yippee, no more turnpike! In no time, we were pulling into POR and parking the car. As we walked into the POR lobby I noticed all the families glaring at me with what I suspect was Disney-freude. I get it too, but on this day I glared back with the “nanny, nanny, boo boo – I’m just starting my vacation-freude”.

Mom took the kids to the bathroom while I checked in. There was a room available in the mansions but I wanted alligator bayou. I knew my mom wouldn’t enjoy sleeping with my nephew so I really wanted that trundle. Plus I was really into the woodsy themeing of that section. She said she could put us there – but we’d have to wait. Not a problem.

I met up with mom and the kids and we headed to the food court for a quick lunch. I had the obligatory first day chicken tenders, Mom had a hot dog, owen had kids chicken nuggets, and Claire had a ham and cheese sandwich. Rant: This sandwich was $7.39. Why the heck is a sandwich that I can make at home for less than a third of that costing more than a cheeseburger and French fries? To make matters worse, she didn’t even eat it.
After we ate, I decided to see if our room was ready yet even though it was not yet 3pm. But it was! Were in AB, bldg 15 , 2nd floor. Not a bad walk to the food court, quiet pool or main pool. Today was supposed to be an AK day but after lugging everything upstairs, seeing that it was close to 3, we just decided to skip AK and head for the pool. After changing into our swim wear, we walked to Ol’ Man Island. The water was freezing! But we all managed to get in and then it was really refreshing. Turns out we decided to do our weekend at Disney during a heat wave as it was 90 almost the entire trip. It felt just like summer which sort of defeated the purpose of going in April. Owen and I braved the slide a few times and once we were all pruny, we headed back to the room.
All cleaned up, we walked to the marina and loaded the boat to DD. We were in the last two rows. During the captain’s spiel, he said to remain seated if you are a little boy with blonde hair and a blue shirt. Umm Owen is a little boy with blonde hair and a blue shirt. I turn around and he has this unbelievable look on his face. The look of “I don’t care that I got caught – but who is watching me?” Priceless I tell you. After that the trip to DD was relatively uneventful.
Dinner was Earl of Sandwich – yum-o! All of us enjoyed this meal. Then we browsed some of the shops so the kids (and me) could start thinking about what we wanted to buy. I decided I wanted a watch but I would wait until later in the trip. Claire wanted everything. Owen was clueless about it all. And my mom never buys anything. We were going to grab dessert at Goofy’s Candy Co but we were really tired and ready to head back. Instead, we grabbed a snack at the food court on the way back to the room – ice cream for mom and I and cookies for the kids.
Once back in the room, we got the kids ready for bed and they fell asleep almost instantly. I fell asleep around 11:30 after watching some TV. Now I think I mentioned that Claire and I would be sharing a bed. This is not the first time. I will admit that I need my space and fear that when I’m married my husband and I will have Lucy and Ricky beds. But this girl hogged that bed so bad I was ready to scream. I woke up numerous times to her leg draped over me or kicking me, or her arm hanging over my stomach. So I would lift her and put her on the very edge of the bed, way on the other side. Before I could close my eyes, she was already back touching me. It was going to be a long night. . .

Up Next: Have you seen my magic? and You have to go the bathroom again?

 

[swillis]

So funny! I always shop for clothes (that I don't really "NEED") before I go on vacation. My mother and I could have turned it into an Olympic event before our last cruise.

And I think it's only fair that your bro and sis-in-law watch your pooch while you take their darling children to the House of Mouse!

Lovin your report...keep it comin

 

[OhMari]

I love your humor, "kids sitting in their carseats, at the curb with their luggage, no parents in sight" you really had me!!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[fabumouse]

That's the way 5 year olds sleep! It's torture. They root around for anything breathing and hang on until morning.

Great beginning - looking forward to the rest.

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoying ~ Can't wait to read more

 

[Disney owl]

waiting for the rest

 

[TLinden16]

What a nice aunt and grandma making sure the little ones aren't Disney deprived. I looooove the Earl of Sandwich. They have the best sandwiches ever.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Wonders10]

Part 3

I woke up this morning before the phone rang. It was the first time in awhile that I actually was conscious enough to hear what Mickey (and Stitch) were saying. After that I hopped out of bed and got in the shower. Mom was awake when I got out and the kids were the last to awaken. Once we were all clean and pretty, we headed to the food court for breakfast and then caught the bus to Epcot.

Already I could feel myself getting in a bad mood – through no one’s fault but my own. The bus seemed to take forever to get here, then we had to activate our seasonal passes, and then rent a stroller. I really wanted to get to Soarin’ because I was scared the FP would run out and come back for a time when we wouldn’t be able to make them i.e. late in the evening. Luckily we made it there and grabbed 4 FP for an hour and a half from then. That’ll work. I asked the CM to measure Owen. When we did it ourselves, he seemed like he made it but I knew a CM would have to check him so we asked. I thought he made it until the CM pulled out what looked like a piece of paper as thin as a FP or park ticket and swiped it between his head and the stick.

Nope too short. There goes some more of my magic.

I have never been one to question the rules and while I was a CP at Epcot, I would get annoyed and bewildered by parents who argued over their child being too short. But right now, I felt like those parents. I mean a piece of paper with the thickness of a FP is gonna make the different between safe and not-safe on the ride? I’m not exaggerating here folks. He had to weasel that piece of paper in much like me when I’m flossing my molars.

But I didn’t make a scene – mainly because I knew I’d lose. So with that, we headed to Figment to wait for the FP time to come around.

Relatively uneventful up to this point. Finally it was time to soar over California. Well this time, there was a different CM checking heights, etc so we decided maybe the other guy was being too strict and Owen really is tall enough. He measured him quickly and didn’t bother to reposition him even though he was practically leaning against the pole. But I digress.

We had already handed him 2 of our 4 FP. So when Owen was denied a 2nd time, I asked for a baby swap. He asked who would be staying with him and gave it to my mom. I asked shouldn’t we get our FP back. He said no. Now, I guess somehow there is cheating of the system in there somehow but all I know is there were 2 FP in his pile that belonged to 2 people not riding the ride. I could see some more magic fall out of my pocket.

Now here is where the day starts going downhill. Claire and I ride and it’s great. I ask her if she is going to ride with grandma so she doesn’t have to go alone. She says she doesn’t want to ride it again. Mind you, she has ridden this ride at least 7 times. I used everything from guilt to begging to get her to ride with my mom and she would not be convinced otherwise. My mom didn’t care and I was left sitting with both kids while my mom rode.

Claire is unusually quiet. I ask what is wrong and she says her head hurts. Then a few minutes later she says her ear hurts. Great. Claire, although not my child, is like me in many ways. One of those ways is that when she doesn’t feel well, she will let everyone know it and bring everyone down with her. So here she is moping with her head in my lap, refusing my offer of medicine and not answering when I ask what will make her feel better. When grandma returns, I inform her of the situation and we decide that maybe some coloring (her favorite) will help. So we head to Germany where we have lunch ressies at Biergarten.

We have some time to kill so we head to the kidcot station so they can start their masks. Claire colors for a good 10 minutes before it’s time to eat. I should also mention that we have taken her to the bathroom at least 6 times between arriving at Epcot til now. So here I am checking in – “I have to go to the bathroom”. Ok let’s go. We get seated. I get the kids food, mom gets hers, I get mine along with a huge beer. Owen – “I have to go poop” and Claire – “I have to go too”. Grandma takes them. About 4 more trips to the bathroom later, our meal is over.

Overall, the food at Germany was good. I didn’t leave hungry. But I probably wouldn’t eat there again. Also, the entertainment was much shorter than I thought, even though it was good. After paying the bill, we head out the restaurant with Owen who is getting hot and tired and Claire who is acting like the world is coming to an end. Our next stop…First Aid

Up Next: Motrin is my favorite thing – ever.

 

[jackdis]

Hope it's not a heavy duty illness coming on......feel better, Claire!

 

[MomofCKJ]

My guess is the dreaded ear infection. Can't wait for the rest!

Allyson

 

[roberrl187]

Great (or not so) start.

 

[Wonders10]

Part 4

We suspected that Claire had a build up of water in her ear from swimming the day before so we headed to first aid to see if they could help us out. The lady in there was so incredibly friendly. We explained the situation and she gave us a free shooter of children’s motrin for Claire and told us where to buy swimmer’s ear drops if we needed it. Almost immediately after walking out of first aid and hopping back in the stroller, Claire was good as new. We did decide not to swim the rest of the day and to reassess later the next day.

Our next stop with a quickly recovering 5 yr old was Innoventions East. First off was an interactive bowling video game. Claire actually asked to do it. Anything she wants at this point. Her and Owen enjoyed it and then we decided to do the plastics build your own robot exhibit. We did this last time and it was fun. How many times can you get a free Disney souvenir, right? We got there just in time for the presentation to start. The woman did her thing and then asked what other things are made of plastic. My smarty pants nephew raises his hands and says “the robots”. I was pretty impressed because she did not ever say the robots were plastic – he came up with it on his own. I mean, he’s only 3 people! The CM seemed pretty impressed as well.

Finally we could design our computer robot. I was paired with O while grandma got Claire. I got a little competitive during the run and helped O out a bit. It worked because we came in 3rd! Small victory but a victory none the less. Then we built our free, yes free, robot and high tailed it out of Innoventions.

Next up was Spaceship Earth. For some reason Claire loves this ride. I love it too but I’m just a little surprised that she likes it so much. Although I have started getting this uneasy feeling when your vehicle turns backward. I start to wonder how secure the vehicles are on the track and what’s keeping it from just falling down the entire length of spaceship earth? We made it safely to the bottom of the big silver ball and Claire was feeling like a new woman. She really wanted to finish her mask and my mom wanted to shop for some of the garden things. We compromised – ice cream for the kids while we shopped and then masks in WS.

After buying a couple of really cute yard ornaments (2 for $10!!), we headed towards Canada and a few other countries so the kids could work some more on their mask. Then we decided that it was time to head back. I was sick of watching them color and it was getting late and we had yet to eat dinner.

We made great timing for the POR bus and in no time we were ordering dinner at the POR food court. The kids sort of shared pizza and kid’s grilled cheese. I had nasty quesadillas that did not agree with me and mom had the chicken parm sub. She said it was ok. By this time, Claire was feeling just fine but I was ready for this day to be over.

We trekked back to the room to find our first ever towel animal! It was a hammock with Claire’s doll and Owen’s JoJo in it and on the AC was a towel bunny snuggling with our Disney Bear. That definitely added some magic to my evening.

The kids were really good about getting ready for bed and they were asleep almost immediately. The next day was supposed to be pool day but because of Claire’s situation we didn’t want to take any chances plus we had already missed some park time. So MK it was!

I watched Grey’s Anatomy and then flipped for awhile and after pushing Claire far away from me, fell asleep.

Only to be awoken an hour later to her leg draped over me. Ugh. For some reason I was now wide awake which didn’t help matters. So I turned the TV back on and moped to myself about how I was going to be exhausted the next day and vowing never to share a bed with Claire again. Did I mention that I get grumpy when I’m tired?

Then I had a brainstorm! I could sleep with my head at the foot of the bed with my feet where my head is supposed to be. Claire had a big blanket she wasn’t using so I snared it and wouldn’t ya know? I was out like a light in no time. My mom was a little confused when she woke up the next morning but I could care less. Finally I had conquered sleeping with a 5 yr old.

Next up: The magic has returned thanks to the MK and the HDDR!

Thanks for reading!
*Shannon