Working our way through Disney...one trip at a time!!!

[5DizFans]

Aug. 6
We slept in until 8 today. That was enough to throw Belle of her “power touring plan.” We assured her there was still plenty of time to see everything that she wanted to see!

We had breakfast at the Mara. We like to eat at the Mara – but by the end of the week, we were getting tired of the food there! We then headed to the front desk and told them that Aurora and Belle were having a birthday. It was actually exactly one month after their birthday –close enough. The girls had wanted to spend their birthday at the World but the price difference between July 6th and August 6th was enough to convince their parents otherwise! They loved the added attention and they felt special throughout the day. Where else could that happen!

Today we decided to go to Epcot. I love Epcot! That was the first park that DH and I went to on our honeymoon! It holds fond memories for me! Our goal was to ride Test Track and see the changes that on Spaceship Earth.

On our 2006 trip I had taken a great picture of the girls on our trip into the Magic Kingdom. I love the shot.

I tried to replicate the shot on the way into Epcot. I don’t find it as lovely as the first – but I think it will be a new “photo tradition!”

Do you think will do that when they are 16?

After some photpass pictures we headed to Spaceship Earth.

Remember when I said his name should be "Goofy"?

I loved the updates. Being a family of 5 (with kids to big to squish in!) I had to ride by myself. I had fun with the quiz at the end! We then went to Test Track to get fast passes then to the mild version of mission space. My children were pushing for the extreme version – we held them off – temporarily!

We then went to Ellen’s Universe of Energy – more back story! In 2006 I was sooo looking forward to this ride – I love Ellen and wanted to see how it had changed since 1996! Well we waited in the huge waiting area. Donald announced that he had to go to the restroom! What?! Why is it the mom always has this job?! So, we missed the ride and never returned on that trip. Aurora even wrote a letter to Ellen telling her of the incident – she never heard back. I, again, was looking forward to this ride. We also made sure everyone went to the restroom BEFORE we entered!

After Ellen’s ride we crossed over to Nemo – that was our first time on that ride too. Very cute – but I found the animation distracting – my ADD setting in! We also took the kids on Living With the Land – that was their first time on that too. A nice cool, relaxing ride! By the time we were done with that, it was time for our fast passes for Test Track. We love that ride too – I guess we love all the rides!

Fast Passes are a great thing. It is an amazing powerful feeling to pass all those people waiting in line – it is a total power trip. However, I have been in the slow line with the Fast pass people moving right on by – double edged sword! After TT we had lunch at the Electric Umbrella – your basic burger/fry place. It was so crowded we had to stake out a table and chairs and guard it!
After lunch we went back to the lodge for a rest/nap. It is a tradition and a necessity for our family to do this! Up next - birthday dinner at Boma!

 

[carone0318]

I like your report and I love the photo of them walking together holding hands. I have one of my kiddos too doing something similiar. I tried to duplicate it the next yr and I got the shot, but like you said it just wasn't quite the same.

 

[crgfsu1]

Nice update! You guys had a full morning at Epcot. I didnt see mention of Soarin' - did you not ride?

Cathy

 

[5DizFans]

Nice update! You guys had a full morning at Epcot. I didnt see mention of Soarin' - did you not ride?

Cathy

When we went to ride Soarin' the line was HUGE. We didn't FP, the time back wouldn't work out. We enjoy rides, but waiting over an hour doesn't work well for us - unless we are in deparate need of air conditioning!

 

[5DizFans]

After a lovely nap, we cleaned ourselves up and went to Boma for a birthday dinner. Boma is the perfect restaurant for our family. Everyone (besides myself) are what you might call “safe” eaters. They aren’t going to try anything that they deem “out of the ordinary.” They are definitely meat and potato eaters. So, they can have that at Boma – and as much of it as they want! I am more adventurous and love the opportunity to try new things.

The girls were treated to birthday cards from the staff with “Happy Birthday” written in different dialects from Africa. They also received very cute (and large) birthday cupcakes! A great end to a great meal!

Aurora likes cake!!

Belle does too!

Cute plate!

We decided to head back to Epcot and try to hit some of the rides we didn’t get the first time around. Unfortunately, the park was VERY crowded. We did stand in line for TT, but as we waited patiently there were problems with the ride and it was shut down. So what did the kids talk us into?!?!??

Intense Mission Space! It was indeed intense – but we enjoyed it. I was worried about motion sickness, but none of us had any problems.
By that time, it was time for Epcot to close! Wow – we didn’t get much done! It was a great day, but in the end, we felt that we didn’t get a lot of touring done.

Once we were back at AKL, we decided to try the night vision goggles. That was super fun! There was a short line and we only had to wait a few minutes for our turn. It was a great experience. Luckily, there were several giraffes in the area for viewing and rocks for the kids to stand on to see over the fence. I was nervous that the cast members handed over those expensive goggles to the kids. But the kids did great and the cast members were very helpful and friendly. By the time we finished viewing there was a -very long line – that was the one thing we timed well that day!

We headed back in, bought some water and a snack and headed to our room. The kids took baths and showers and we all settled down for the evening. We planned on setting the alarm for the next day – early start! Have I mentioned how nice it was to have two separate areas for the adults and kids?! I think I have!

Tomorrow – Animal Kingdom and our very favorite dinner!!

 

[carone0318]

We like Boma too and my family is planning to head back there again in June!

I've never ridden Mission Space, I'm afraid I'm going to get sick and then the rest of my day would be shot. I can't ride on a swing, nor can I even look at my kids when they swing on it - so I figured with the intense spinning that the ride supposedly had, I'd better skip it!

Can't wait to hear where the family's favorite dinner is going to be...

 

[crgfsu1]

I've never ridden Mission Space, I'm afraid I'm going to get sick and then the rest of my day would be shot. I can't ride on a swing, nor can I even look at my kids when they swing on it - so I figured with the intense spinning that the ride supposedly had, I'd better skip it!

This describes me too!! No way could I do Mission Space.

Ya know, it seems that everytime I have been on TT, it has broken down at some point. Strange...maybe it needs a tune up.

I will have to give Boma a try next trip - it's one of the many I havent tried.

Cathy

 

[5DizFans]

We like Boma too and my family is planning to head back there again in June!

I've never ridden Mission Space, I'm afraid I'm going to get sick and then the rest of my day would be shot. I can't ride on a swing, nor can I even look at my kids when they swing on it - so I figured with the intense spinning that the ride supposedly had, I'd better skip it!

Can't wait to hear where the family's favorite dinner is going to be...

If you get sick watching swings you should stay away fro MS intense. We love the daring rides, but I found myself thinking during the ride, that if it didn't end soon, I wasn't going to be feeling well!

I have friends who have had days ruined by MS. No one wants to have a bad day at Disney!

 

[5DizFans]

This describes me too!! No way could I do Mission Space.

Ya know, it seems that everytime I have been on TT, it has broken down at some point. Strange...maybe it needs a tune up.

I will have to give Boma a try next trip - it's one of the many I havent tried.

Cathy

Boma is great. I have only had dinner there, but I hear the breakfast is great too. I was listening to a podcast today that said the new resturant at Kidani (new part of AKL) has a glass wall that the animals can walk up to - my kids would love that. Heck - I would love that!

Have you stayed at the AKL before?

 

[carone0318]

My Mom and my Aunt are eating at Sanaa when we go in June. Me and my family are not joining them because we are going to the T-Rex Cafe (for ds), so I will have to hear how good it is from them.

We stayed at AKL when we went back in August for a few days, we stayed in the Conceirge (sp?) level, I think floor 6. My kids loved it (I admit, I did too!)

Boma is great. I have only had dinner there, but I hear the breakfast is great too. I was listening to a podcast today that said the new resturant at Kidani (new part of AKL) has a glass wall that the animals can walk up to - my kids would love that. Heck - I would love that!

Have you stayed at the AKL before?

 

[crgfsu1]

Boma is great. I have only had dinner there, but I hear the breakfast is great too. I was listening to a podcast today that said the new resturant at Kidani (new part of AKL) has a glass wall that the animals can walk up to - my kids would love that. Heck - I would love that!

Have you stayed at the AKL before?

No, we have only stayed offsite & at CBR. AKL would be a dream

 

[5DizFans]

Hello,
I haven't been lost - just busy! With three kids in sports we have had 9 games in the past week. We have also been busy doing our spring chores around the house and yard! As of now the pool is up and running! There are veggies growing in the garden and the laundry is done! Now on with the next installment of our trip!

 

[5DizFans]

Thursday August, 7

We woke up early today. We had a BIG plan. We hadn’t done Kilimanjaro Safari. I was so excited, I am a big animal lover and I couldn’t wait to see all the animals.

We had breakfast at the Mara and then headed to the bus. We power walked to the safari. There was a line but we didn’t have to wait long! I loved it! I know the story line is a little cheesy, but I loved seeing the animals! I was able to take lots of pictures.

In Line:

Animals!

When we got off the ride there was a cast member playing drums and the kids had their picture taken with him.

Our next stop was Expedition Everest! This is my all time favorite ride. I love it! We ran into Devine along the way!

Next we headed to Dino Land and rode Primeval Whirl and Dinosaur.
After that, we amazingly convinced our children to try It’s Tough To Be A Bug. This took some work. As you recall that was the first attraction that they had seen last time we went to Disney and they screamed and cried through the whole thing. We enjoyed it and there were no screaming children (that belonged to me anyway!).

It was an extremely hot day. I have written in my journal that the sweat was running down out backs. Animal Kingdom is a great park, but there is very little relief from the heat.

It was way too hot for us so we went back to the lodge. We rested and cooled down for a couple of hours.
The girls looking out on to the savannah:

Then we cleaned up and headed to our favorite dinner!!! Hoop Dee Doo Revue! I have gone to Hoop Dee Doo every time I have gone to Disney, since I was 12! It has now become a favorite for the whole family! I love the cornball comedy, the washboards and swinging of the napkins! If you haven’t tried it – we would all HIGHLY recommend it!

This time we were on the floor, but all the way to the back closest to the doors. It was a little far, but we were all still very entertained. The food was great!

The first time we saw the show with the kids, Donald had the bucket of chicken slammed down in front of him. He thought it was great, but he was startled.

He was thrilled when Aurora received the bucket this time!

Donald love him some ribs!!!!!!!!

Next:
Magic Kingdom!

 

[carone0318]

Fun update - I agree AK is extremely hot with barely any relief. That's why we can't last there an entire day, it just drains your energy!!!!

Can't wait to hear about MK....

 

[cglaura]

Next:
Magic Kingdom!

This totally cracked me up!