[packerbeth]

Originally Posted by missymouse

Very good tip--thank you. We will watch with them. I think I'm going to wait until it's close to our trip to get it so it will be fresh in their minds. I've always had a fear of one of our kids getting lost, but WDW is sooo huge, and there are soooo many people there . . . it's just terrifying to me. We have to watch that video!!!!!

It's such a fine line between informing them and scaring them. I think this video does a really good job. I would agree that you should wait until closer to the trip; I think we watched it two weeks before and they still remembered.

[missymouse]

Originally Posted by packerbeth

It's such a fine line between informing them and scaring them. I think this video does a really good job. I would agree that you should wait until closer to the trip; I think we watched it two weeks before and they still remembered.

Very true, although, my mom always said that there was nothing wrong with a little healthy fear of the bad stuff that can happen to you.

[MickeyMcFizzle]

I'm just catching up on this trip report - love all the pics! Thanks for sharing them!

[packerbeth]

I only have one picture in this update, so I thought I'd make up for it by adding some video.

This is from our first day. Chip and Dale playing down by the International gateway:
MOV03394.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Here's the beginning of the Dream Along with Mickey show. The rest of the show is too big for Photobucket.

MOV03818.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

We arrived back at our room in “Tokelau house” to find the boys resting and watching TV. Rick was going to take the girls back to the volcano pool, while Christian relaxed in the room and I tried to organize things and tidy the room up a bit. The only pool picture we have at this point is one that Grace took of Rose with one of her disposable cameras. They all had fun, and the girls even got Rick try the volcano slide!


After a quick shower and snack at the room, we were on our way to the Animal Kingdom. This was our only chance to get there this trip, since I was not able to fit in an early morning rope drop. I had seen some pictures of evening EMH and wanted to see it for myself! One of our priorities was “Finding Nemo: the Musical", so I had double checked the show times at the front desk earlier on in the day, just so I could try to plan our time there. There were shows at 3:15 and 4:45; if we couldn’t make the first, we’d definitely get there for the second!

We walked from Tokelau along the path to the TTC, because the Poly shares its buses with the other deluxe hotels (what’s up with that, by the way?) and I wanted to get to AK quickly. It was our first attempt at taking a bus from the TTC, and it worked out great, because an AK bus was waiting when we got there! After the trouble with the wheelchair lift on the DME bus, I was a little apprehensive about this bus driver and his familiarity with wheelchairs, but he easily loaded Christian on the bus, and we were off! The trip only took 15 minutes, getting us there at 3:00.

Our first stop was the tip board, where we found that EE still had FPs left! The girls had also indicated an interest in seeing the Pocahontas show, and Rick pointed out that there was a show at 3:40. We walked together to Camp Minnie-Mickey, and since we had time, Rick took the kids into the character greeting area. Of course, Kate had fallen asleep once I put her in the stroller, so I took her with me while the other kids met with the characters. Where was I going, do you ask? Well, to get FPs for Everest, of course! We agreed to meet at the Pocahontas show at about 3:30.

It was a long way, since CMM and EE are about at opposite ends of the park, but EE is totally worth it so I didn’t mind! I used all five of our tickets for FPs, although Rose hadn’t yet decided whether or not she would ride this year. Last year, EE was her very first roller coaster, and while she didn’t mind the ride itself, she did NOT like the Yeti! She’d been going back and forth about riding it, and I told her that it was completely up to her, knowing that I could ride with her FP if she didn’t end up using it! At 3:25, our return time would be anytime between 5:05 and park closing, which was 6 p.m.

I called Rick as I got closer to CMM, to let him know he needed to get over to the Pocahontas show. They’d met Minnie and Goofy, and were in line for another character when I called. He got the kids out of line just as the Lion King show let out, so it was like swimming upstream to get to the Pocahontas theatre. I was so glad that the kids had been able to do that character greeting when they did, because now the lines were going to be very long! I am still working on editing our Photopass photos, so I don’t have any character pictures to share.

I sent Rick and the kids into the theatre while I got bottles of water from the nearby cart. I usually don’t like to use snack credits for water, but it was warmer than I’d anticipated and I’d forgotten the mister thing that I’d purchased just for this park, so we needed water, and fast! Of course, they wouldn’t let me into the theatre with the stroller, and there was no way I was going to wake Kate up, so I went as far as they would let me, and then called Rick on his phone to come get the water. Then I found a shady spot within earshot of the show, and Kate and I had some time off. I spent the time looking ahead at our afternoon, figuring out how we could fit in as much as possible. We passed a sign on our way in that said the last Safari took off at 6, and there would be a Lion King show at 7. Neither of these were must-dos, but I kept the times in mind in case we were able to time it right.

I knew it would take a while for Rick to get out of the theatre with Christian and the girls, so we stayed put until the crowd cleared out. They all enjoyed the show, and I was glad we’d taken the time to see it. During the show, they give out little paper leaves, and the girls were all excited because Christian had been given two!

People were lining up for the parade, which made the trek from CMM to Dinoland a little difficult. There was some sort of live entertainment going on as we made our way onto Discovery Island. I used the trick I learned about Magic Kingdom and cut through some stores on the right hand side to get past the crowds. One of the things I had hoped to do was to find the Pooh characters at Character Landing near Flame Tree Barbecue. We happened to pass this spot on our way to Nemo, so we asked the CM at the entrance if the characters were still there. She said yes, and we walked almost the whole way down the long trail without seeing anyone else. When we got to the pavilion, there were only a handful of people waiting!

The question was, to wake Kate or not to wake Kate? Rick thought we should, because what better time to wake her than when she was about to meet her favorite character? I was afraid she’d be grumpy because she really hadn’t slept that long. Just as we were about to meet Pooh, I leaned down and whispered to her that Pooh was here; did she want to see him? Her little eyes popped right open and she was so happy to be with her Pooh friend again. Way to call it, Dad! I relied on the Photopass photographers here, as well, so I don’t have any photos to show how happy Kate was about being woken up to meet Pooh, but she was! After meeting Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger, we made our way to the theatre for Finding Nemo: the Musical.

The last time we saw this show, we had to wait outside for a long time. This time, though, we were led right in before the rest of the crowd and seated in the handicapped area. While we were waiting, a CM came over to talk to us about the show. He said he’s seen the show so many times, he knew all the words and we told him that we would be singing right along with him since we have the CD at home and listen to it all the time. It took a while for the place to fill up, since we’d been let in so early, and the kids were getting hungry so I’m pretty sure there was some whining going on. I let them sneak some snacks while we were waiting, and finally the show began! The girls had been waiting to see this show for over a year; this would be the first time seeing it after getting the CD, so it would be a new experience for them since last time they hadn’t known what to expect.

We laughed, I cried, we sang along…until Grace said she had to go to the bathroom. Contrary to what the books tell you, there are no bathrooms inside this building. You have to leave through the far side entrance and will be able to come back in that same door. I was not pleased to have to leave my favorite show, but Rick had Christian in his lap, so I was the one who had to take her. Well, Rose must have been completely wrapped up in the show when we left, because when I returned with Grace, she looked up and said she had to go to the bathroom! Oh how I wish she had realized this five minutes earlier. I hadn’t even thought to ask her to go with us, because I didn’t want her to miss any of the show if she didn’t have to. And wouldn’t you know that my absolute favorite song, “Go with the Flow,” sung by my favorite Crush, was coming up next? We got in and out of there as quickly as we could but I still missed half the song. I was really fuming, but had to get over it so I wouldn’t ruin the rest of our evening. Nemo would hopefully be here the next time we came to Disney World, so we’d see it again.

Up next: Everest!

[lovemysons]

Oh gosh, Beth, I am just getting caught up with your tr! Fabulous job, as usual. So many lovely memories, and precious photos.

[packerbeth]

Originally Posted by lovemysons

Oh gosh, Beth, I am just getting caught up with your tr! Fabulous job, as usual. So many lovely memories, and precious photos.

Thanks for reading! I've got lots of photos in the next update...

[JustaT]

Originally Posted by packerbeth

We laughed, I cried, we sang along…until Grace said she had to go to the bathroom. Contrary to what the books tell you, there are no bathrooms inside this building. You have to leave through the far side entrance and will be able to come back in that same door. I was not pleased to have to leave my favorite show, but Rick had Christian in his lap, so I was the one who had to take her. Well, Rose must have been completely wrapped up in the show when we left, because when I returned with Grace, she looked up and said she had to go to the bathroom! Oh how I wish she had realized this five minutes earlier. I hadn’t even thought to ask her to go with us, because I didn’t want her to miss any of the show if she didn’t have to. And wouldn’t you know that my absolute favorite song, “Go with the Flow,” sung by my favorite Crush, was coming up next? We got in and out of there as quickly as we could but I still missed half the song. I was really fuming, but had to get over it so I wouldn’t ruin the rest of our evening. Nemo would hopefully be here the next time we came to Disney World, so we’d see it again.

OH BOY!!!!! What a terrible time to pick for potty breaks.....not one, but two......UGH!!!! I'm glad you got to catch the second half of your favorite song. I absolutely LOVED that show

[JustaT]

Originally Posted by packerbeth

Up next: Everest!

oooooohhhhhhh.....I can't wait to see who goes on!

[cinderbella]

MORE!

I am impatient.

[packerbeth]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

MORE!

I am impatient.

Sorry, Bella! I'll get right to it!

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by packerbeth

Sorry, Bella! I'll get right to it!

It's OK..I won't kill you or anything I am just really enjoying your TR!

[packerbeth]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

It's OK..I won't kill you or anything I am just really enjoying your TR!

I'm so glad that everyone is reading and enjoying it!

[alicefan]

I am just getting caught up on TR's. You look like you had such a great time!! Your family just gets more beautiful with each picture.

I LOVE the picture of Christian with Princess Jasmine. I have a similar picture of my son's wandering eyes and Cavey has one with his son as well - we posted them on here once. We should start a club.

[dac921]

wonderful TR - love the pictures.... but I must say...





MORE... I NEED MORE!!!

[packerbeth]

Originally Posted by alicefan

I am just getting caught up on TR's. You look like you had such a great time!! Your family just gets more beautiful with each picture.

I LOVE the picture of Christian with Princess Jasmine. I have a similar picture of my son's wandering eyes and Cavey has one with his son as well - we posted them on here once. We should start a club.

Glad you're enjoying it, AliceFannybanany! Thanks for your kind words.

Ooh, your Joey started young! What should we call our club, and should it have an age limit? I think there are some dads out there who could be in that club!