[jk8]

We are back and had a great trip. Instead of doing a trip report I am just going to do some thoughts and highlights of the trip. This might read like a rant but really we had a good time.

Cast: Me and DS6

Our first Disney trip was 2 years ago in July. This was our 4th. After spending 2 years on DC I found I was quite analytical on this trip. When you have no one but a 6 year old to talk to you think in your head quite a bit. On this trip I could really see how someone just takes a random trip to Disney and does not LOVE Disney could find things to complain about.

The Buses on this trip really just got on my nerves. For the first time I wanted a rental car. We stayed at Pop as we did our first trip. It just became so tedious to wait for buses and that most often the Pop bus stop was the farthest away. It was Murphy’s Law that all the others buses would show up before ours. Ugh. Also how do resorts like the Poly handle buses to AK etc when they have that small little bus stop with no line cue? In the morning it would seem like everyone would mob the bus. I waited there for a bus to DTD and it was fine but no one got on in the order that they were waiting.

O’hana had the best meat I have ever tasted! Wow. That was a pricey meal but really good. I felt bad about how much food they must waste though. DS had a grilled cheese there. I loved the bread pudding dessert!!!!

While walking through the hallways at the Poly I had to think it did not look like a $300 a night hotel. Perhaps I did not go through an updated area.

DS went to the Neverland Club for childcare at the Poly. After going on a Disney Cruise and seeing the kids clubs there I was expecting too much. I was really not impressed. DS liked it fine. I have to say that his report of spending most of his time playing a video game where he was a dinosaur that could destroy buildings a kill people was less than encouraging. He also added that he nearly peed his pants at having so much fun playing that game with another boy in which both players were dinos and able to kick each others dinos in the “privates”. So, mom’s grade on the Neverland Club “C” and DS’s grade would likely be an “A”. I am glad he was safe and had a good time.

Are there any resorts that are quiet? Maybe the GF but that is out of the question. I was very happy to get a room in the 50’s section on the back side away from the pool as opposed to our preferred 60’s poolside of last time. But, we ended up having loud people in the room next to us that were loud coming in at midnight. I know that is the nature of hotels but it can be a bummer when you are trying to sleep. Are all the walls that thin?

There is nothing better than night time at the parks in the summer. MK is open until 11 and our first night they had evening EMH. It was wonderful. We had energy and even though we were only there until 11:30 (park was open until 2) we really enjoyed the cooler temps and it was not crowded. Something of that was due to the fact that we rode rides instead of doing the parade and fireworks, but it sure was great.

Rental strollers push like a dream. After using a cheap umbrella stroller in the past I could not believe how wonderful the rentals were. There was still the issue of a tired child on the way to the bus and room but I sure enjoyed it otherwise.

While DS was at the club I got to shop in peace. It was bliss!

After taking a Disney Cruise where all food is “free” anytime all you can eat, it sure felt strange to walk into the Pop food court and think about paying for everything. We did not have the meal plan, but I will have to add up our receipts to see how it would have come out.

We really liked Soarin’ although I did not smell oranges. We still like Figment. We did not care for TT any more for some reason. Got fish and chips in the UK and they were good. DS could have spent all day in the Innovations areas. We did the robot thing on Disney Teachers recommendation. There were things we like about it and others not. The demo on plastics you have to go was pretty boring and I have a thing against the CM who did it. He was just too sarcastic. The kids did not get his little jokes. I think he needed to really engage them and bring to more to their level instead of making jokes that they did not get. DS like the virtual build and race of his robot but did not win and he pouted about it. We also thought the robot you design was the one you get to take home. That was a bummer that it was not, but he liked playing with his robot on the bus and the rest of the day.

We loved Festival of the Lion King at AK. DS begged me to go on Primeval Whirl. I thought it was a dumb ride but he liked it. He always likes playing in the Boneyard. DS did not want to go on Everest. All the fast passes for the day were gone by noon that day.

So, overall, even though we relaxed more on this trip than any other it was still a tiring trip. I really have to say that I liked the cruise better. We plan on cruising again in 2008 so I believe that will be our next Disney experience. Although, DS kept saying that he wished we could just leave our hotel and walk to the parks, so maybe Disneyland it the place to go next?

Thanks for reading!

[pumouse]

You would love Disneyland! It is our favorite place in the whole world! It does sound like you had a good time, I'm glad your little guy liked the childcare place!

[Franco54]

Hey Jk8
We were down WDW in July also! May I give you my opinion? I know what
Disney does to young children, the magic, the lure of it all. Chracters, all
thier movies it can be downright hypnotic to a kid in those years! I would
give you either a throne for your head or a ticket to the nuthouse!!!! I
know lots of the young families will tell you how great thier times are when
they are at Disney and they will certainly look for a argument with me for
my comments. I am a great people watcher, and yes I see lots of happy
kids but I also see LOTS of stressed out kids and parents. And who can
blame them, its ninety degrees its crowded, not all the kids and parents
are sweet and happy, its just a long day for all concerned.
I, quite by accident, got to go to Disney way late in life and my DW and
stepsons have never been either. So thier trips started when they were
12 and nine, IMHO a great age for such a trip, I don't think I would do it
with kids any younger. Again I bow to you for taking your DS alone at such
a young age! As for the buses, no more thank you. We have been lucky
with quiet rooms. All and all we still love disney, and have two more trips
booked Dec 22-Jan 4 and April 12-23. So, let me know what I should send
you, the throne or the ticket to the nuthouse!

[jk8]

Thanks Franco, I'll take the nuthouse, please.

Today I am home alone. DH took DS and left me for the day. Peace and quiet - ahhhh.

I did have to teach my son what it means when I say "Mommy, just needs a moment."

I, too, will look back and these trips with joy and forward to others when ds is older and I am too.