[gcbdad]

Cast of Characters for day trip 1/29/04

Me
DW
DD(7)
DD(5)
DS(5)
DD(Newbie - 8 weeks today)

As some of you know we have been evaluating if we should renew our Seasonal Passes or not. With that in consideration we decided to take a last minute day trip to the MK before our passes run out on 2/2/04. Let me explain that DW likes WDW but is nowhere near as big of a fan as I am. So getting her to go can at times be a little trying. She wants to go other places but in my opinion, especially with our kids ages, there is no better place to be than WDW.
We all got up early and had a quick breakfast and headed out around 8:15 from Brandon, FL. Now I had read about issues with crowds on "Early Entry Days" but we decided to press our luck and go to the MK anyway. With our kids ages this is their favorite park.
Traffic was a little heavier than expected so we didn't get to the TTC until 9:50. I can usually make it in 1 hr 15 minutes at the most but they are doing allot of construction on the interstate between Tampa and Orlando. Driving over was a little bittersweet since it can be the last trip we take for a year if we do not renew.
Anyway we decided on taking the monorail to the MK so we packed in with the rest of the patrons and headed off through the Contemporary Resort and to the station.
We hit the restrooms, I bought DD(5) a new autograph book, and we were off to Fantasyland and went to ride Winnie to Pooh. The line wasn't moving and a CM said they were removing a car that was acting up. So we got Fast Passes and headed towards the Peter Pan ride instead. On the way DW, DD(5) and DD (newbie) decided to ride Dumbo while the rest of us went on to Peter Pan. Had a great ride then met up with the others. Our Fast Pass time hadn't arrived yet so we went on It's a Small World After All. The kids love this and that lovely song is still in my head. We headed over towards Winnie the Pooh and DW informed me that she needed something to eat. Now we had a PS for Crystal Palace for 1:35 but she needed something now. She just started the Atkins diet and pickins were limited. So we got a Turkey leg and all of us ended up loving it. Even my "if it's not Chicken Nuggets or Hotdogs I won't eat it" children ate it. At that point DD(newbie) woke up so DW took her off to the Baby Station to nurse. The rest of the kids and myself used our Fast Passes and hit Winnie the Pooh. Great as usual. Then we rode the Teacups. At that point I tried to call DW to hook up but she had her cell turned off. So we walked over to the Baby Station which is right next to the CP. We sat down and waited for a little while then DW came out. It was now 12:25 so I decided to just check and see if we could get an earlier seating and they said it looked promising. We were seated at 1:00 so it was a really bad wait. I thought the food was great and the kids certainly enjoyed their character interaction. When it was all finished it was around 2:00 and DW said I should try and feed the baby again while we were there. DD(7) and DS(5) wanted to go on the Barnstormer but DD(5) wanted no part of it. So she stayed with DW and I took the other kids off towards ToonTown and we rode the Barnstormer twice. We had decided earlier that DW and DD(7) would ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad so we headed off towards FrontierLand with the thought that I would get Fast Passes for them to use when we hooked up. While walking up we realized that it almost time for the parade. We actually found a good spot across from the Country Bear Jamboree and waited. Then DW called and met up with us and we all enjoyed the parade. When finished we went over to BTMRR and got our Fast Passes. We had a 30 minute wait so we decided to ride the train around the whole park. When we got back it was time so DW and DD(7) went to ride and the kids and I found a new little area to wait. Under the tracks by the entrance to Splash Mountain is a little play area for little kids. I didn't even know it was there. The kids loved it and before we knew it the phone was ringing and it is time to meet up with DW. We then headed back to ToonTown because DS(5) really wanted to ride teh Barnstormer with DW. The girls and I played in Donald Ducks boat and soon we were all off towards TommorrowLand for DD(7)'s first Space Mountain ride. DW went with her and the rest of us went on TTA, another favorite of the kids. We rode twice while DW and DD(7) rode twice. After we met up and DW wanted to go nurse the little one again so she took DS(5) and headed out. The two girls and I went on CoP. I hadn't been on that ride in so long I couldn't even remember it. After out trip through progress we decided that we needed to go meet with DW for a quick bite to eat. As soon as we got there DW walked out and we just decided to get a hotdog and sit and wait for the fireworks. The 3 youngest ones have never seen a fireworks show at WDW so this was really going to be a treat. When it started and TinkerBell flew down they were so excited they couldn't believe it. The fireworks show was amazing. It had been a long time since I saw a show myself and I was definitely moved. Just as the final boom sounded we were heading out and saw Mickey waving goodbye to everyone fro the Train tracks then it was off to the Ferry to go back to the car. At that point DW said wouldn't it be nice if we were staying here so we could enjoy another day and not have to drive home. We walked to the van and drove on home. Of course we all said our goodbye's to the Mickey Power pole and then hit a bottle neck on the Interstate. It took us over 2 hours to get home but the ride back was fine. The kids were sleeping, and DW was talking to me about renewing our passes and doing a multi-day stay.. What a great day.

[LAURENGOLD]

What a great day you all had!!! It sounded perfect. And, what a perfect way to end it.....deciding to go back:laugh . I hope you get your wish, and renew those passes.

Great report, let us know if you renew those passes.

Lauren

[DisneyTeacher]

It sounds like a great day. your family is so lucky to have the opportunity for so many day trips. I hope you get to renew your passes so you can continue your day trips.

[gcbdad]

Originally posted by DisneyTeacher
It sounds like a great day. your family is so lucky to have the opportunity for so many day trips. I hope you get to renew your passes so you can continue your day trips.

I'm just happy that DW might want to stay for possibly 4 nights at one time. It's a different mentality when you are doing a day trip versus a multi-day trip.

[goofygal1975]

I'm glad to hear you guys had such a good time!! And I'm glad you got this day trip in, just incase!!
It is really good to hear that she is talking about renewing!! That would be wonderful! Especially since if you can stay 4 nights!!

Originally posted by gcbdad
I'm just happy that DW might want to stay for possibly 4 nights at one time. It's a different mentality when you are doing a day trip versus a multi-day trip.

I know *exactly* what you mean!! I love to be able to go on Day Trips!! But i also love to stay over a night or two! I like to stay usually Fri and Sat nights when we go! This next trip we'll be there 3 nights and I'm excited about it! Its so nice to know you can go back and rest at the resort and come right back!!

*Heres hoping you'll renew the passes and start planning the 4 day trip!!!!!!

[tiggerlover1971]

great trip report hope she says yes to renewing the passes