"It's time to wake up! We're here!"

journ116 · Dec 27, 2012

DSC_0573 by journ116, on Flickr

-When the parade ended, it was 10:50 p.m... We debated on whether or not to stay and wait out the crowds, or leave now and risk running into some crowds at the bus stop. What I forgot was that the parade still had to make its way down Main Street. So, we cut thru Adventureland, again, walked by CP, into Casey's, and thru the Emporium. We made it out of the shops, but the parade was just getting there as well and we couldn't cross the street (should've walked over thru FL and down the other side of Main Street now that I think of it). So, there was stood, watching the parade, again, and with a better view! My DH insisted that CM's would let guests "cross the street" whenever there's a lag between floats...no way I thought...wrong again I was. While we were bickering over this, we missed our opportunity to cross, and more guests saw this and got "lined up" for the next chance. Needless to say, we watched the parade in its entirety and exited with the crowds.

-By this point, it was 11:20 p.m., and we once again debated: should we stay or should go? We left, and surprisingly, the crowd at the bus stop wasn't that bad. The older kids were still awake, but fading fast, and Eliza had already passed out on our walk to the bus stop. We only waited 10 min. for a bus and were back at our resort by 12 a.m.. I have a feeling that we'll be sleeping in tomorrow...

journ116 · Dec 29, 2012

Sat., 11/3:
AM
*AK: The plan was to only do things we hadn't accomplished on Thursday.

*I was up by 7 a.m. and out the door by 7:45 a.m., so I could "check out" and "check back in" via our cash reservation (which meant getting everyone new cards). The guys were out the door, shortly after me, and walked over to Mara to use up a QS by getting everyone breakfast. By 8:30 a.m., the kids were up, getting dressed, and impatiently waiting for their Mickey Waffles!! About 5 minutes later, in walked the food...oh, and the guys! With our bellies full, we headed down to the bus stop by 9:20 a.m. and found ourselves at AK's entrance by 9:40 a.m..

*As we walked closer to the gates, we ALL knew that it was going to be a very busy day at the park...

*First stop: Tree of Life to see "It's Tough to Be a Bug." However, Eliza and her DC7 spotted characters from "Up," and just had to meet them first!

DSC_0584 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0585 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0588 by journ116, on Flickr

*After giving Russell and Doug cuddles, everyone, except myself, went to see Flik. I've seen the show before...once is good enough for me. My DH insisted on taking Eliza in with them; I forewarned him about this, knowing full well that Eliza would not like it.

*While the group waited for the next show to start, I pushed the stroller and everyone's bags to get some Fried Rice at Yak & Yeti...mmmm....and it's a snack option!!! Then, I walked back toward the show's exit and waited under a shady umbrella, enjoying an un-interrupted blissful moment with my rice. But wouldn't you know it: out walks my MIL and Eliza, who was balling; she hadn't even made it past the queue before she had a meltdown. I know my kids! I found a cart that sold chocolate chip cookies, and, yes, I bribed my kid to stop crying with sweets...sue me. Everyone else loved the show (Chloe still talks about it!)!

DSC_0595 by journ116, on Flickr
(random scenic pic)

*Kali River Rapids: Chloe insisted that she didn't want a charm for her bracelet, so she skipped the ride. While my dear in-laws watched the girls, the rest of us hopped in the Stand-By line: only a 20 min. wait (was surprised that it wasn't longer given the crowds and heat). Myself, DC7 and his mom opted for ponchos (we ain't no fools), while my DH and his cousin decided to tempt fate (their rationale: "We're only a 5 min. bus ride back to the resort"). My DH and I have ridden the Rapids several times before, but this was a first for the rest of our group in our raft...I warned my DH NOT to give anything away (he's the type of person that will give you your birthday present 2 months in advance because he cannot contain his excitement)! With my Kodak Playsport rolling, here's what happened:
VIDEO link below

http://flickr.com/gp/78237640@N08/4ux124

*Camp Minnie-Mickey: Let's meet some characters!

DSC_0602 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0604 by journ116, on Flickr
(Dale having fun with Chloe)

DSC_0612 by journ116, on Flickr

*Lunch time at Flame Tree BBQ! A trip to WDW would not be complete without a meal here. I gave my DH my order (half-chicken meal with a Coke and chocolate cake...oh, how I miss the cornbread and frozen lemonade options), while I took the girls (in the stroller) over to Pizzafari. Ordered two kids plain pizza meals and headed back over to the labyrinth that is FTB seating...JACKPOT! found our group without having to call them!

*By this point, the park was heating up and our group was ready to call it a day by 2 p.m.. My DH was a bit miffed that we only spent 3 hours at the park, but I didn't hear him argue with me when I told him that I'd take the girls swimming so he could go to DTD and ride the hot air balloon.

KayFeb13 · Dec 30, 2012

I love your yay we are in WDW pic! Very cute

journ116 · Dec 30, 2012

KayFeb13 said:
I love your yay we are in WDW pic! Very cute

Thank you! But I cannot take credit for the idea: it was my DH's!

And, "YAY! Someone is reading my TR!"

journ116 · Dec 31, 2012

PM
*RESORT: Swim, play, and explore our resort. We rarely spend any time at our resort, and this time we were determined to take 1/2 a day and enjoy the amenities.

*But first on my list: an Excedrin, bottle of water, a "RiCOlaaaa," and a nap. Between leaving AK and getting back to the resort, in conjunction with my terrible cold & laryngitis, a massive headache had set in. I think I slept for only 30 min., before being shaken awake by my DD's wanting to know, "Is it time to go swimming?" I wanted to do a load of laundry quick and start packing some of our things (because we were switching resorts on Monday), so I got the girls in their swimsuits and let them "swim" in the jetted tub. They thought this was hilarious!

*30 min. went by, and then myself and DD's walked down to the Kidani's pool. DC7, his mom, and my MIL had already left and were swimming for a good 20 min. before we got down there. Like an idiot, I decided to take the stroller down and had one heck-of-a-time trying to find the ramp to get down to the pool area!!

*Called it quits after an hour and a half, because, A: my headache hadn't completely subsided & B: my girls were shivering. DD's had fun and spent most of their time going down the kiddie slide...Chloe didn't feel like she was ready to try the bigger slide, and the kid-friendly area was not up-and-running.

DSC_0614 by journ116, on Flickr
(not happy that we were leaving the pool)

DSC_0617 by journ116, on Flickr
("ppp-please can we swim more?")

*Next up: baths, dinner, and nighttime vision goggles!

Englebabies · Jan 1, 2013

all caught up and Happy New Year to you.

accord99cutie · Jan 1, 2013

I am following along! can't wait for the rest!

journ116 · Jan 1, 2013

Englebabies said:
all caught up and Happy New Year to you.

Happy New Year to you, as well! I know there's an awful lot of text, and I'm trying to do less of it, but I'm a writer by nature! Thanks for following along!

accord99cutie said:
I am following along! can't wait for the rest!

Thanks so much! Sometimes you write these things and wonder, "Is anyone really reading this or are most of the 'views' just me checking it as a 'guest'?"

KayFeb13 · Jan 1, 2013

No way! I'm reading

journ116 · Jan 1, 2013

Now, where did I leave off...oh, yeah:

*"Is it time for bed yet?" asked the exhausted mother.: Since I cannot stand the feeling of filmy chlorinated water on my skin, nor like the idea of my kids' delicate skin steeping in it, it was time for baths. I filled the jetted tub with bubbles and let the girls "swim" for another 25 minutes, while I got myself all cozied up for bed (even though it was only 5 p.m.). I was also hoping that the hot shower would relieve the aches I was experiencing due to my severe cold, laryngitis and headache (come to think of it, I probably had the flu). My mind and body were wiped out by this point.

*After I popped more cold meds, chugged a bottle of water, and soothed my throat with a Honey "RiCOlaaa," I got the girls ready for bed (except for brushing teeth). Then, I quickly whipped together some dinner for them: grilled cheese, cucumbers, applesauce, and yogurt. At some point I called my DH to find out how DTD was going, and came to find out that he was already on the bus home.

*DH's DTD experience sans family: "Great!" He finally got to take a ride in the "Characters in Flight" balloon...he's been waiting to do this for some time, and was hoping to take Chloe on it (since I have a paralyzing fear of heights...and birds), but she wanted to go swimming. Thank goodness the attraction was up and running, considering a couple weeks prior ALL rides that used that type of "balloon" were shut down due to a malfunction. My DH's only complaint: no one would move around, despite being given permission by the attendant.
(and here's where I'd insert his photos and video, but I have no clue how to get them off his iPhone5

)

*6 p.m., DH calls to get my dinner order from Mara: I got the half chicken, french fries, bottled Smart water, and some generic dessert; and I think he got the pizza. Between his phone call and actually getting my meal (6:30 p.m.), Eliza decided that she had had enough for the day and crawled into bed. I climbed in next to her and waited for DH and the food; needless to say, I was out like a light, with a french fry in my hand, by 6:45 p.m..

*I missed the piece de resistance: Night Vision Goggles! Since Eliza and I were passed out, my DH gave Chloe permission to join her Mimi (his mom), his cousin, wife, and DC7 to walk down to the Kidani lobby and inquire about the awesome FREE amenity. Here is Chloe's recollection of the event, as told to me as I type:
"We went outside to the overlook and stood in line. There were just a couple of people in front of us. Then it was our turn to use the 'woggle goggles' (the kid loves the show, "Imagination Movers"). It was just all green when you see thru it. I saw a wildebeest, giraffes, and a zebra. That's all the animals I think. Oh, I think there was one ostrich. It was so cool to go outside at night to see the animals. I can't wait to do it again!"

And since I wasn't there to capture any of this, here's a YouTube link (this amenity is available at sundown at both Jambo House and Kidani Village):

*After the 'woggle goggles' extravaganza, they returned to the room: Eliza and I were out for the night, DH had to do work-related stuff on the iPad (until 1 a.m.), and my FIL was dozing off. I think Eliza and I slept for 12 hours that night, which is totally unheard of while in Disney World!!

Next up, DAY 5: EP...finally!!!

journ116 · Jan 1, 2013

KayFeb13 said:
No way! I'm reading

Thank you!!!!!

journ116 · Jan 1, 2013

Sun., 11/4: {{CLOCKS GO BACK 1 hr. @ 2 a.m. = extra hr. of sleep!!}}
AM
*At some point during the night, I blearily got up and switched the clocks in our room and out in the kitchen back 1 hour...oh, that blessed hour was needed! I was up for the day by 6:45 a.m., and ready in record time: 35 min. (including another shower). I started to clean up the bathroom and pack up our toiletries since we'd be checking out of AK-KV tomorrow and into BLT. Then, I woke my DH so he could get ready for the day.

*Yet another "Continuing Reservation:" I was out the door by 7:45 a.m. to pick up our new room keys, because tonight's reservation would be with points (if you're counting, that's: 3 reservations, 27 room cards, and 12 claimed mugs).

*Got back to the room, got the girls up and ready, and we were out the door to our family favorite park: EP!! We arrived shortly before opening (at 9 a.m....those hours rarely change), but found ourselves in massive lines. However, my DH was wise enough to go to the far right entrance, and we found ourselves in only 6 people-deep lines.

DSC_0621 by journ116, on Flickr
("HELLO Beautiful!")

DSC_0618 by journ116, on Flickr
(Food and Wine, Food and Wine, FOOD and wine)

*We were on a mission: grab FP's for Soarin'! My DH and his cousin collected our park tickets and speed-walked ahead of the group. We got sidetracked when we saw no lines for some meet-and-greets:

DSC_0626 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0628 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0632 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0635 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0642 by journ116, on Flickr
(When my MIL retires, she said she wants to move to FL and become "Goofy"...she was a little deflated when we told her that's it's probably a young college guy in there)

DSC_0643 by journ116, on Flickr
(Eliza being goofy)

The guys made it back to us before we finished the m&g's. We were sidetracked once more when we saw there was no line for Spaceship Earth!

DSC_0644 by journ116, on Flickr
(me being goofy)

DSC_0648 by journ116, on Flickr
(my DH said that if I had acted like this on our first date, this would NOT be "The Beginning" for us...he made me this way)

*By this point, we were starving, so off we went to Sunshine Season. The girls got kids french toast meals, while my DH and I got our monies worth with the Adult Breakfast platter: bacon, eggs, sausage, biscuit and breakfast potatoes. I remember last year (and years prior with the DDP), we could get a coffee AND a bottled water or OJ with our meal, since dessert isn't included. This year, "One drink for you!"

*Our usual routine at EP (well, at least the first day we visit it): FP Soarin', get breakfast, ride The Land, then redeem our FP's (Chloe rides twice, because Eliza is too small; so, Chloe rides with DH first, then again with me using her sisters' FP; we do not use Baby Swap). Welp, this time, I forgoed the tradition, and gave mine and Eliza's FP to a wandering couple, then took Eliza to get her face painted while the rest of our group rode Soarin', then The Land.

DSC_0650 by journ116, on Flickr
(Eliza can sit still for probably 20 min., but ONLY if she was getting her face painted)

DSC_0651 by journ116, on Flickr
("Ta-Da!")

DSC_0653 by journ116, on Flickr
(Eliza's Rapunzel Crown)

*Face painting did not take long, or the FP line was moving really slow, either way, I ended up pushing Eliza around for what seemed like an hour (probably closer to 40 minutes).

DSC_0654 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0655 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0656 by journ116, on Flickr

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DSC_0658 by journ116, on Flickr

*Because the day was started to heat up, I sought refuge inside Innoventions West. Once inside, I found an empty bench next to the Piggy Game, put my feet up, while my sleeping babe rested peacefully in her stroller.

DSC_0659 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0663 by journ116, on Flickr

journ116 · Jan 1, 2013

*The rest of my group finally met up with me, and then I convinced my DH to take Chloe to play the Piggy Game (another tradition). This time, my MIL, DH's cousin, wife and DC7 joined them. They all had a blast, while my FIL took a load off on another empty bench next to Eliza.

DSC_0672 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0673 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0687 by journ116, on Flickr

*Since my DH's cousin and his family only spent a 1/2 of a day at EP during the very first (and only) trip to WDW, a lot of things we were doing were new to them. So, next on our list:Agent P's Mission!

DSC_0691 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0689 by journ116, on Flickr

*Agent P and two bored kids: Chloe has done Kim Possible Missions, so she knows the routine. But, her DC7 and his family were newbies. The one thing that takes up most of your time, waiting for the "people on the phone to stop talking" (Chloe's words). Since we wanted to start out on the right-hand side of World Showcase, we opted for the UK Pavilion.

DSC_0698 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0699 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0700 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0701 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0702 by journ116, on Flickr

Long story short, I ended up completing the mission ahead of the phone for both Chloe and I, and DC7 and his family. To say everyone was soooooooooooooooo bored would be an understatement. I don't know if it was a combination of heat, people and a slow moving program, but ALL of us were "done" with the mission only half way thru. Sorry Agent P: your mission might've been successful, but our time spent doing it, definitely was not.

*To appease the group after a failed experience: pastries in France!!

journ116 · Jan 1, 2013

Oops...found a picture of me with a character:

100_1399 by journ116, on Flickr

corey154 · Jan 1, 2013

I'm reading and loving it!! Can't wait for more!!

journ116 · Jan 1, 2013

corey154 said:
I'm reading and loving it!! Can't wait for more!!

Thank you so much! I am desperately trying to get all of DAY 5 completed tonight!

journ116 · Jan 1, 2013

*Now, I've never been to France (unless you count riding thru it on a train from Switzerland to Spain), so I cannot compare "the real deal" with "Disney's deal" (hahahaha..."Disney" and "deal" in the same sentence), but the pastries here are the shiz-nit!

DSC_0703 by journ116, on Flickr
The Boulangerie Patisserie is also a counter-service with snack options!! (SIDE NOTE:We have no problem burning thru snacks on the DDP, but getting thru QS meals is another story.) Prior to our arrival in WDW, I had read that renovations were going on here, which would provide more seating...I don't know why I thought that the reno was done, but you should've seen the shigrin look on my face when I saw the extreme lack of seating due to the ongoing construction! No matter (kind of), my family and I were going to enjoy a box-load of goodies (man, I really wish I would've taken a picture):
-Strawberry Tart: the shell was just the right amount of crispness, with a light vanilla pudding-like filling and delicious ripe strawberries on top (this is our absolute FAVORITE)
-Napolean: alternating layers of light vanilla cream and crispy phyllo dough pastry (another fav, especially for Eliza)
-Plain Croissant for Chloe: just the right amount of flakiness and butteriness.
-Creme Puff: a massive amount of swirled vanilla cream (a bit heavier than the Napolean) between two puffed pastry-like biscuits.

If you've never stopped here, please, please, PLEASE do!

*With bellies full, we walked off 1/10th of the calories passing even more delicious food kiosks...that's right, the Food & Wine Festival was going on! My DH decided he had just enough room for a mini-Belgium waffle with fruit compote and whipped cream...oh my goodness! However, the rest of us could not stomach the thought of another morsel of food at that moment. Onward we went, by Morocco and stopping in Japan.

*Pearl time!: It's been my tradition to buy 3 oysters in the Japan pavilion...sometimes 4. If you haven't tried this experience yet, you must...at least once. Although, I must forewarn you: it can be addicting...that is choosing the right oyster. My family and I know the drill: pay for your number of oysters at the register 1st, then wait your turn for your number to be called (there's rarely a line, so we're usually "#1"), meanwhile, we stake out "our" oysters. Once your number is called, you show the CM which oyster you want and then you're guided to the middle of the oyster bar for a ceremonial oyster cutting! I am always anxious at this point: will one of us get a big one, a blue one, or one of the rarest, two pearls in one oyster?! Here we go:

DSC_0704 by journ116, on Flickr
(Chloe staking claim)

DSC_0705 by journ116, on Flickr
(opening my oyster to find a "7 mm pearl")

Chloe and I each had a good-sized pearl in our oyster, but Eliza hit the jackpot: 2 PEARLS in one oyster and they were the exact same size and color...TWINS! There is a 5-10% chance of that happening! Buuuut...one daughter cannot have 2 pearls and the other only have 1, so my FIL bought Chloe another oyster:

DSC_0707 by journ116, on Flickr
(counting down with the CM: sun, knee, itchy (as described to me by Chloe))

Chloe ended up with a 7 1/2 mm pearl, which is pretty big! However, I am very, very, very sad to announce that I lost ALL 4 pearls (even the twins), between packing up our things at AK-KV and moving to BLT. I ransacked our souvenirs when we got home as well...no pearls (I could just cry).

*Passports, Duffy and Perry's on a stick: I forgot to mention, that while I was paying for Eliza's face painting, I bought Chloe and her DC7 their very own Disney Passport. Chloe had completed one last time we visited and took it into school for show-and-tell (making some of our vacation educational). So, along the way, we got the passports stamped and signed. And all 3 of the kids picked up one of those cardboard cutouts to color at the Canada KidCot stop. Eliza chose Duffy Bear, while Chloe and her DC7 chose Perry.

PM
*Our original plan was to walk over to Beaches n' Cream for dinner and then over to DHS via the Boardwalk path. However, since we had already walked around the World, and found ourselves disappointed that Test Track was being refurbished (still), and the fact that I was still nursing whatever virus latched onto me (I even had to stop in at the First Aid Station for more Tylenol and cough drops...nothing was working), we decided to call it a day. Also, getting the passports, Duffy and Perry's stamped took up a lot of time.

*We did manage to stop in at Mouse Gear for more pins and then over to the Electric Umbrella for my DH to grab a burger to wash down his antibiotic. We sat outside with practically no one else around and watched the Fountain of Nations show...gives me chills every time! I remember Eliza eating a bag of popcorn (Wise brand from back home) and Chloe having some Goldfish (they would later eat cereal for dinner).

*I want to say that we finally left EP when the sun was setting (5-ish).

*Between 6-10 p.m.: I got the girls fed, did 2 loads of laundry, packed up our suitcases and souvineirs, cleaned out the kitchen, girls bathed and ready for bed, and read some news on WDWmagic.com

*Lights out by 11 p.m., because we would have another early morning!

Next up: MK, check-in at BLT, and EP!

Bama14 · Jan 1, 2013

journ116 said:
DSC_0272 by journ116, on Flickr
(Chloe and her cuz posing)

PM
*By 3:15 p.m., our travel party was ready to head back to the resort and re-group. But, not before stopping by yet another gift shop (located next to the Baby Care Center). Chloe picked out a notebook, pen, and a Duffy outfit (as she's nicely displaying above), but Eliza was "tricked" into putting her items back (I'm so sneaky, but if one more stuffed animal made its way back home, I was gonna scream!). While I was paying for Chloe's items (with her gift card of course), I pulled out the Premier Photo Pass voucher (to remind myself that I needed to stop on our way out of AK to activate it) and placed it on the counter. However, I forgot to pick it back up and place it back into my wallet! I realized this by the time we reached the EXIT...so, I told everyone else to just go back to the resort and that I, and I alone, would walk back to the shop...but that plan was foiled by the 3:45 p.m. parade! I was stopped in front of Pizzafari, only 15 feet away from the shop, and had to wait out the parade. Here's the 2 pictures I took:

DSC_0273 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0274 by journ116, on Flickr

*At this point, it was 3:55 p.m., and this is when I spied my FIL out of the corner of my eye toeing the masking-tape line, obstructing everyone's view of the parade. He asked me if I wanted him to go over and get the voucher, but I kindly reminded him that it was "not in my nature to walk in front of young kids enjoying a parade" over a piece of paper (I still had the original receipt back in the room, just in case I lost the voucher). So, we waited...and then took off as soon as the parade passed by. Luckily, the same cashier was still there and was twirling the voucher around her finger! Crisis averted!

*My FIL and I made our way back to the front of the park, and over to the Photopass place (which is located to the right as soon as you walk into the park). A nice CM took care of me and kindly suggested, "Take a picture of the back of this pass just in case you were to lose it." So, right there and then, I took a picture. With my premium photo pass hanging around my neck, my FIL and I headed to the bus stop.

*With the pass activated, and the kids burning off some supervised energy in our room, we were ready to start "Phase 2" of our day: DTD!

*Score! DTD was already decorating for Christmas! Bummer though that we didn't get a chance to make it down yesterday to check out the Halloween decor...

DSC_0277 by journ116, on Flickr

*I had been looking forward to enjoying a Caprese sandwich from Early of Sandwich for a year, and of course, I had to wait just a wee-bit longer while DH and Chloe stopped in at the pin shop. While they shopped, I left Eliza with the in-laws and walked over to Ghiradelli's for some uninterrupted ice cream time!

*I ordered a single scoop of chocolate in a cone (waffle of course). The weather had cooled down a little bit, which was good for me and my ice cream! By the time I meandered my way back to PinTraders, my belly was full of chocolatey goodness and saw that my DH and Chloe were still looking at pins! Then, they found the Pin Traders cork board, and Chloe walked away with another silver CM pin! while my DH walked away $50 poorer.

*Made our way into "Once Upon a Toy" store and then to the "World of Disney" store. Considering we had a full week ahead of us, I was gently trying to guide my girls (and DH) away from buying anything that night. Besides, we had to move things along since we had to be up early the next morning for our 8:05 a.m. breakfast reservation in MK. So, I took DD's and FIL to Earl of Sandwich and asked everyone to text me their order. Then, DH and MIL came and were kind enough to stand in line for me so I wouldn't be taking up precious line space with the double stroller.

DSC_0279 by journ116, on Flickr

DSC_0278 by journ116, on Flickr

{SIDE NOTE: DTD was a 7 out of 10 in terms of crowd level, which surprised us for a Thursday night. I'm not sure if there was an event going on, or every other tourist had the same thing in mind that night?}

*Got our sandwiches, drinks and desserts "to go," and waited at the Marketplace bus stop. After 10 min., we boarded our bus back to AK. By the time we arrived at our resort, it was 8:50 p.m.. I had desperately wanted to get my girls bathed and in bed by 8 p.m....needless to say, as soon as I opened our room door, I rushed Chloe and Eliza to the tub, scrubbed 'em, pj'ed 'em and helped the youngest brush her teeth...all by 9:20 p.m.. Kissed them g'nite, tucked Chloe into her twin-sized sleeper bed and Eliza into the center of the king-sized bed, right next to my DH who had passed out 2 minutes before. I then got to enjoy my sandwich in peace at 9:30 p.m.. Even though my caprese is best served "hot," it wasn't too bad at room temperature

*Lights out by 10:15 p.m..

I
I love Earl of Sandwich's Caprese. My favorite sandwich from there! Your pictures from Animal Kingdom were great!

journ116 · Jan 2, 2013

Melissa Gilmore said:
I
I love Earl of Sandwich's Caprese. My favorite sandwich from there! Your pictures from Animal Kingdom were great!

Getting that sandwich from there is ALWAYS on my to-do list! I don't know what they do to it to make it soooooo tasty, but I cannot find a comparable anywhere!

Thanks for reading along!!

journ116 · Jan 2, 2013

Moving onto DAY 6...Enjoy!

Mon., 11/5:
AM
*Original Plan: FLE tour with 'Belle Itinerary' via DVC membership @ 8-11:30 a.m.. My DH and I could take 3 people each, which means only 8 people from our 9 person party would've gotten to participate. My FIL volunteered to stay behind and explore MK by himself, or find a comfortable bench and wait for us...but I would've found some way to get him in with us!
*New Plan: Sleep, since we saw part of FLE during MNSSHP on Friday, 11/1. The only thing we'd be missing is the interactive Storytime with Belle and the Ariel ride. Ah well! I knew my little family and I would be coming back to WDW in a few months, so we'll catch it all then.

*Check-out of AK-KV & over to MK: I was up bright and early, and my cold/whatever, was starting to subside thanks to taking some heavy duty prescribed meds. The rest of the gang was bright-eyed and bushytailed by 7:50 a.m.. Anywhosen, I called Bell Services to come collect 21 pieces of luggage, bags, and 1 car seat, at 8:05 a.m.. Our BS guy was very personable and efficient (he got all of that on one trolley), so he got a nice monetary tip! After waving "buh-bye" to our things (which were being transferred to BLT), I did a once over to make sure I didn't miss anything (or so I thought...'whimpering'....no more pearls

), and left our maid a nice tip (because she came in twice during our 5 night stay).

*On the bus to MK by 8:45 a.m.: I think this is the first vacation when we didn't get to each park prior to opening...when you have a big group like this, it's hard to get everyone on the same page at the same time, but no worries!

DSC_0710 by journ116, on Flickr
(starting some plant changeovers from Halloween/Fall to Holiday!)

*Our first stop was breakfast at the Main Street Bakery: By this point is was 9:30 a.m., and everyone was really hungry. Did you know that you can put together a QS meal here? I found this out from a kind CM, so we were able to use up points left from our AK-KV card (it got very confusing with all the room key card changes), and ALL of us got seating inside!

*Moving to Fantasyland: Once again, I parked the stroller by Mickey's Philharmagic as we took in the sights.

DSC_0712 by journ116, on Flickr
(my girls...Eliza is holding Gigi, the cat from "Kiki's Delivery Service," which we picked up at the Japan Pavilion...our family LOVES Studio Ghibili films)

Carousel time! Chloe wanted Cinderella's horse, but one little girl was a tad faster than us and hopped on it...so, Chloe was not a happy camper. As for me, I was trying to hold in my breakfast...

DSC_0715 by journ116, on Flickr

I cannot remember what we did next, but I know somewhere in there we did Mickey's Philharmagic, perused Tinkerbell's Nook, and, oh yeah, the Tea Cups! Chloe didn't want to go on (a bad memory from riding the Tea Cups at our local amusement park), so I took Eliza. I can handle moving around the platform, but my equilibrium will not allow me to spin...so, I had to hold on to the turning wheel with a death-grip, just to keep us from spinning! Eliza enjoyed the ride immensely!

*We moved the party over to Frontierland: Since Chloe and I did not ride Splash the first time around, my DH and I convinced her to try it out today! Also, she was reminded that she could pick out another charm for her bracelet. The Stand-By time read 20 min., and it was. While we were walking thru the queue, Chloe was asking tons of questions: "how many drops are there? will I get soaking wet? how long is the ride?" We had watched a YouTube video of the ride prior to our trip, so that alleviated some of her fears; but, when she started asking lots of questions, I knew she was nervous to the point of backing away from the ride. My DH and I misdirected her thoughts by asking what she wanted to do next, eat next, see next, etc.. And here we are:

DSC_0731 by journ116, on Flickr
(that's our group in the first two rows: me, Chloe, DH, and DC7)

DSC_0734 by journ116, on Flickr
(Chloe and I closed our eyes on the way down...yep, I'm still a kid...and, just now noticing the couple in the very back

)

DSC_0739 by journ116, on Flickr
(and this is what Eliza did while waiting for us to get off the ride)

Next mountain: Big Thunder! Could not convince Chloe to try this one...it was just me, DH (and he's not a coaster guy), his cousin, wife, and DC7. I did take some video, but it's not worth editing to post on here. What I can tell you, was that the ride "seemed slow" and we weren't the only ones making that comment. I mean, where the ride was supposed to be fast (i.e. the turns), it was; but the in-between time moved like molasses...I don't ever remember the train being like that.

*Trekked back thru Frontierland and over to Liberty Square for: WAFFLES! It was during our Oct./Nov. 2011 trip that Sleepy Hollow first started serving up delicious variations of the WAFFLE! We ordered: 1 funnel cake with strawberries and cream for DH, 1 powdered sugar waffle (last time it was in the shape of Mickey's head) for the girls, and 1 Nutella and fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, and bananas) JUST for me!!!!
(Now, if I could only figure out how to get the pictures off my DH's phone....)

*After snacks and bathroom breaks, we followed the path by Sleepy Hollow, behind the Castle to the Wishing Well.

DSC_0743 by journ116, on Flickr
(DH is trying to hold Eliza..."I can see youuuuuu!")

*Decided that we wanted to hit up the Circus area again, and somewhere between the Wishing Well and the Circus entrance, our group split up. My DH, myself, MIL, FIL, and the kids intended to ride Dumbo and Barnstormer. Dumbo was a 20 min. wait time, so I took Chloe and Eliza in with me and this is when they actually got to play...with 30 other kids! (Should've stopped to play when we were here the first round because there was no one there.) The girls played for 10 min. before our buzzer went off, which miffed Chloe because she wanted to play longer. Finally, the three of us ladies were on the ride! After Dumbo (which was closer to 30 min.), we met back up with our group to ride Barnstormer, but the line was all the way down to ticket booth..."sorry kids, maybe later."

*To appease the kids and cool off a bit, we let them check out the Casey Jr. Splash area:

DSC_0745 by journ116, on Flickr
(hahahaha...just now noticing the guy in the background)

DSC_0746 by journ116, on Flickr

"It's time to wake up! We're here!"

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