Disney PhD family Trip Report Jan 1-7th

Disney PhD Trip Report Jan 1 to Jan 7th 2003

Villas Wilderness Lodge. (our 1st trip to our DVC home resort)

Mrs. PhD, Mr. PhD Little PhD (age 2 ½) and niece age 12
Our Friends, Mr. M and Mrs. M and their Son age 2 ½ (and Little PhD’s best friend) This is their 1st trip ever. They have no idea what to expect.


Jan 1st Arrived from Detroit with no problems (flew Sprit airlines.) Was at the Lodge in our room by noon with a grocery stop. Used Quicksilver, good service, no problems. Our room was ready for us (a pleasant surprise on New Years Day.) We had a studio for Thursday, Friday Saturday since the points are more on the weekend. It turns out a studio was enough room for the 4 of us. However it was at the end of a very long hallway, at least as long as a football field. I have always vowed to not have children that run up and down hotel corridors, but man that stretch made everyone want to run. The weather and the Lodge were great, swam some in the pool and took a nap. For the evening we wanted to avoid the parks on NYD so we took the boat to Contemporary for dinner at Concourse steak house, good meal. Then the monorail to Poly to watch Wishes from the beach. That was a very nice night.


More later.

Oh also my pictures are posted in my WDW album. Check them out. I think this is the link to it, but I am not sure, never posted one before.
http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=50

 

[DisneyPhD]

But there is more!

Jan 2nd. Off to MK early in the morning. The boat to MK from WL was very nice. Hit Fantasyland and got a lot done before the crowds picked up. Mickey Philharmagic is really good. Little PhD remembered everything about MK and told us just where she wanted to go next. She was really fun. Road the river boat around then decided to leave because the it was getting busy and hot. Back to the Lodge for a swim and lunch in the room (gotta love Villas). Little Ph really liked the pool at the Villas. The hot tub there was closed the whole trip, we didn’t ask why, the others at the main pool were open. After swimming and naps we waited for our friends who were to arrive at WL this afternoon. Explored the Lodge some. It turns out our friends missed their 1st flight and had to take a later one. The evening was off to a slow start. We got a pager for Whispering Canon and took it to their room while their son slept. (It had been a long day.) Dinner at Whispering Canon was nuts, (what did we expect?) but fun. Little PhD partisapated in the pony ride, but her friend wouldn't. I wasn’t all that impressed with the food (the meat loaf was very dry.) It was getting late to try to tackle MK (open until midnight, but it had been a long day for our friends) so we took the boat to Contemporary and then monorail back to poly for fireworks (again.). This is a good way to introduce fireworks to young ones, since it is close enough to see them, but not that loud. The kids had a blast playing on the beach and our friends had never seen any of the other resorts before. Besides when you have 2 year olds you have to ride the monorail. On the way home the last boat from Contemporary leaves at 10:00 we were there, but couldn’t fit on it. We had to walk back to MK and then take the boat from there. I wasn’t too pleased about this. I guess the boats are not like the busses that continue to run as long as people are waiting.

 

[kal1484]

awwwwwe!! Sound like you guys had SO much fun!!!!
What two little cutie pies!!!

My only question: Is Ariel now doing Botox?
http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=6825&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1:sohappy:

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by wdwprincess03

My only question: Is Ariel now doing Botox?

Ha Ha, it kind of looked that way. She REALLY had a lot of make up on. Little PhD didn't seem to mind, Ariel looked better in the pictures then in real life.

I also noticed that the women who played Ariel in the MGM show was a different person then in the past years. She was ok, but not as good as the others. I wonder when Little PhD will start noticeing these things.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Jan 3rd. Back to MK in the morning early. Decided to try Buzz light-year since our friend really wanted to ride that. Little PhD loves that ride, but her friend the same age was absolutely terrified of it. He recovered fast and really enjoyed Dumbo and Winnie the Pooh (always good ones to start off on, what was I thinking?) The little ones were so happy to be together and run, they spent 30 min just running around Ariel’s Grotto. (we got a good picture with Ariel too.) Once again beautiful weather, high around 83. We took advantage of FP for Pooh and Peter Pan (always good) After hitting all of FL, The mom’s took the little ones to the magic carpets while the dad’s and niece went on BTM and Pirates. We were having problems with our walkie talkies for the 1st time ever. It seemed like no mater what channel we were on, there were other people on it. (never happened before.) After lunch at Colombia Harbor House we headed back for another swim and naps.

Back to MK in the evening, it was a bit crowded, but we got on Carrousel of Progress with no problems, and enjoyed TTA a few times. We were signing “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” for the rest of the night. The kids had a blast running around the play groud and Donalds boat in toon town. They did this for at least 45 min before we could get them out of there. We saw the 10:15 parade, but little PhD slept through it, her friend was awake, just barely. My niece liked it. Got some good shopping done.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Jan 4th, a hot sunny day, off to Blizzard beach. Also Sunday was the day we changed rooms to a one bedroom. No problems with the move the one new room is closer, (only slightly, couldn’t be father away) the one bedrooms are very nice. Everyone one loves BB. Tikes Peak is a great area for young kids. If you have a 2 year old don’t miss BB, there really is a lot for young kids. The little ones do the small slides at least 50 times if not more. Everyone also really enjoyed themselves on the lazy river. We get tons of good pictures and video. Late day, back to the rooms around 4:00. The kids end up sleeping until 6:00 or so and we have pizza in the room. We miss the campfire at Fort Wilderness, so we head to DTD for the night. Shopping and ice cream from Ghiardelli. What more can you ask for? Lately I have found DTD to be a bit crowded, more so then the parks since so many locals go. I found a really cool leather bond scrapbook, and have it sent back to the room.

 

[tigsmom]

Great report. :sohappy:

Sounds like you all had a great time. (and I love the pics).

The pool at the Villas is great for little kids (and tired moms, too). When we stayed in the WL in August the main pool would be packed, but that pool was almost always empty or had just a few families in it. (our room overlooked the pool & Villas).
I did notice they had a lot of trouble with the hot tub when we were there.

I have to agree with the dinners at the Whispering Canyon...food is dry & not very inspired. Breakfast...well thats a whole different thing. I could eat the skillets myself.

Glad you felt well enough to enjoy yourself...I've been sick @ WDW and its no fun. As for doing everything, I don't think its possible. Just have to go back again, right?

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks Tigsmoms, I think next time we stay there we will try Breakfast at WC instead of dinner. I noticed very veiw of the villas over looked the pool. Our 1st room as woods view only, the 2nd faced the front of the resort and it was a bit more interesting, (but so many people were smoking on the balcony we spent less time on it.)


Here is the next installment

Jan 5th AK. We want to start off here since we think our friend’s son will like it and it can be relaxing and a slow pace. Bad planning on our part since it is EE day and we get there at normal opening time. It was more crowded then I expected, but that might be why. Hit the safari, everyone was impressed. After driving with a bouncy 2 year old on my lap the whole time, it made me very grateful for car seats! I was starting to feel a bit icky (did I mention I was 8 weeks pregnant?) So we had a snack on the train to CS. When you have little ones this is a must see, if not you can skip it. Stanley and Pocahontas was there, the kids did well with them(Rafiki, not so much). There is also the coolest fountain with animals, when you through pennies in it, they make the animal sounds. Little PhD wouldn’t touch the goats, with out a brush, but we got some cute pictures. My niece no longer likes goats since one tried to ______ on her (but didn’t) boy was she scared. Lunch at the Tusker House (always good). Over to Dinoland with a stop at It’s Tough to Be a Bug. Little PhD liked it, but her friend and his mom left after 1 min. It was too much for him. Mom’s and kids played in the dino playground while Dad’s went to Dinosaur. It took them a while. We all do Triceritop Spin, but our friends didn’t make it on the same TS as us. Someone decided to spilt up their group so our friends had to walk off and go on the next one. Luckily their son wasn’t that disappointed. The mom’s and my niece head over to Dino with fast passes, I think the stand by line was shorter! That ride is always fun, but my 12 year old neice agreed, it would scare the pants off her youngest brother (7 years old). The kids fell asleep on the bus ride home. Mom’s get to swim in the pool and chat in the hot tub while the kids sleep in the rooms. Life is good.

Epcot in the evening. The kids loved the light up sidewalk, and wonders of wonders, didn’t fall down while running around.
We had PS for Garden Grill at 7:00 (made them that afternoon with no problems.) What a good meal! The kids did great with the characters. In fact little PhD was waiting for them and so excited to see them. (She is getting to be an old pro, this helped her friend relax some.) Mom’s head over to WS for shopping while the dad’s and niece hit HISTA. This starts the pressed penny obsession with the little ones. My friend’s son called them “his diamonds in the rough!” We all meet up for Illuminations on the bridge before France.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Jan 6th MGM and then over to Epcot
There really isn’t as much to do at MGM anymore, but we went over there to hit the must see for toddlers, Play House Disney, Ariel and Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play Set. Dads also did TT and Millionaire. Rocking Roller coaster was down. We at lunch at Prime Time before heading out of the park. Took the boat to Y&B and walked from there (I had to show our friends my very favorite resort.) Toured Epcot (my friends new favorite.) Got some good shopping in. Saw Aladdin and Jasmine at Morocco. Put more money into the pressed penny machines. I learned a new tidbit today from a cast member. If you bought all the pennies in every machine available it would cost 700$. We hit Mission Space before leaving to go home. DD was asleep in her stroller, but our friend’s son rarely falls asleep on his own so they headed back the room. Since DD was already asleep so I took Niece on Mission Space. (yes, I road it 8 weeks pregnant, Dr said I could.) No problems. Well DD wakes up before we leave so we hit Inoventions to send home post cards. It is getting cold and windy so we leave. Took Monorail to TTC again, then a bus to WL, this works really well and we did it a number of times during the trip. I highly recommend that. Turns out that was the only nap DD gets today, and her friend never took one. They tried swimming, but it was too windy. A cold weather front is coming in, goodbye 80’s.

We dress up warm for the evening and head back to Epcot to see the living seas, a must see for young kids. Our friends son fell asleep and missed it. No PS this evening so when they kick us out at 7:00 we head over to Y&B to get some burgers at Beaches and Cream. They can’t get us in (a party of 7) for 35 min so we get it to go and eat outside. I am not as impressed with it as too go food, too bad, I wanted my friends to enjoy my favorite burger place. Back to WS for some shopping. My friend gets my niece stuck on getting Henna died on her hand in Morocco. She thought it was really cool. I am hoping my brother doesn’t get mad at me later. It starts to rain as soon as Illuminations starts, good thing for the tree we are under. Walk back in the rain, the 1st and only of our whole trip.

As group tour guide I am feeling kind of bad about not getting it all in for everyone. My friend reminds me that they had fun everyday all day, what more can you ask for? I guess she is right. We have been so many times that I forget you can’t get all your favorite things in each trip. That is why we keep coming back. I made them promise to bring their son back when he gets older. I think they will have too because now my DD wants her friend to be with her every trip.

We go home tmw, (makes me sad just thinking about it.)

 

[DisneyPhD]

Here is the last day, makes me sad just posting it!

Jan 7th, Pack to go home, say goodbye to our friends. (They fly out this morning) Head out to MK for one last hit of our favorites. We dress warm and I am glad we did. The warm weather of the 1st part of the trip is gone, windy and near 60 day. Still sunny and it isn’t stopping us. In fact it does make it a bit easier to leave to go back to Michigan today. We keep reminding ourselves that at least it is warmer then 12o outside. Do the spin of FL and TL, doing the speedway. My 12 year old nice blasts into DD and myself when the car in front stops “I was looking for the brake!” DD hits her head, but recovers fine. We then hit Magic Carpets and Tiki room. Little PhD walks all the way up and down the Tree house by herself, and wants to go back. Head over to CP for lunch at 11:30. Good meal, fresh food and fun with Pooh and Friends. Once around TTA before heading over to main street to see the parade before heading back to the resort. DD falls asleep for the whole thing. My niece starts getting pouty, she does not want to leave. I feel for her. At 5:00 Quick Sliver picks us up for a trip back to Airport. At 12:00 midnight we pull into our driveway.

Home at last. When Little PhD gets up the next morning she starts crying and says she wants to go back to the room at Animal Kingdom Lodge (so she is a bit confused.) She keeps asking when we can go back. Here is the bad news, not until baby # 2 is born, and then a bit older so we are thinking March 2005, or even May. (We need to recoup some of our DVC points, we are all borrowed out until then anyway.) The only problem with going 3 times in 10 months is you get used to it.

All in all a trip with 4 adults, one pre-teen and a two 2 ½ year olds went very well. The 12 year old was very helpful. Any questions? I am sad to be home, it snowed yesterday, 10 inches.

 

[crazygirley]

Oh, PhD...I am so glad you had a good trip. It sounded like you all had a great time. That is just too cute about Little PhD waking up and wanting to go back to AKL...sometimes I wake up thinking the exact same thing.:lol: I am sure she will be fine until your next trip...just think, next time you'll have an Itty-Bitty PhD to take long! Glad to hear you had fun!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks crazygirley, it seems so long away now. The best part for me was I felt really good the whole time (not 1st trimester pregnant) and since being home have been making up for it.

Just this afternoon before nap Little PhD was going on about how she wanted to go back to the room. I am working on Hubby for a spring break trip to LA and doing 3 days at DL and DC, but who knows. He has some cousins who live really close to DL and have been inviting us to visist, and who knows when we will get there after the 2nd child is born. Sprit has really good airfrare right now, less then 100$ each way, but the only flight home starts at 9:00 and you get home at 5:00 am! I don't think that would be so great with a almost 3 year old. I guess I am stuck dreaming.

(and looking at pictures!)