Kids' Birthday Trip to WDW

This is the first time I've done an actual trip report. I was giving daily updates, until my phone was dropped in the sink. We were in the world to celebrate our son's 10th and our daughter's 8th birthdays.

We had originally booked the Boardwalk resort back in September, but decided to switch to the Grand Floridian. What a great decision!!!

We travelled from the Lehigh Valley to the Philadelphia Airport on Friday, Feb 8 for a late afternoon flight. This was the day of the big East Coast snowstorm. Because of the forecast, I didn't have work. My wife only had a half day, and our kids were dismissed early which gave us a head start. We left our house (in rain) and had no issues, actually arriving in Orlando early.

We took the ME to the GF, the first stop (which never happens for us) and we entered a jam packed lobby. That seemed to be the theme of the trip. Much bigger crowds then we had anticipated. It really had no effect on our trip though.

We were given a room in Sago Cay overlooking the marina. What a great location. It was a very short walk to the bus and monorail stops. At first I was unimpressed with the resort. That feeling didn't last long. Guess I was tired from the trip. We went to bed soon after and were up the next morning at 6 am to head to HS for opening.

EDIT: I mixed up days 1 and 2!! Here is the real day 1 morning.
I headed straight to TSMM for FPs and my wife took our son and daughter to sign up to fight the dark side later that afternoon! They picked the 3:40 show, so we had plenty of time to enjoy the park and breakfast later the morning at 1900 PF before havong to return to HS.

The kids knew we had ordered them a cake, but didnt know what kind. They had done one for me for my 40th, and I was hoping this would top it. The bakers at the GF have always been great.


Happy Birthday by coachwnh, on Flickr

After breakfast, we headed back to the room to rest. We had a dinner at Coral Reef that night and the Illuminations Fireworks Cruise after that. We didnt want to be exhausted on day 1.

After a little rest, we returned to HS for the 3:40 Star Wars Jedi Training Academy show. Our kids fought Darth Maul. Of course they won!!!

Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

 

[coachwnh]

And just for comparison, here was my cake from November.


My 40th birthday cake by coachwnh, on Flickr

Everything on both was edible!!!!! (less the light on mine and the wire on the kids)

 

[coachwnh]

Dinner our first night was at Coral Reef. We had eaten there before, but not for a few years. We asked about a seat near the aquarium, but didnt want to wait too long with our cruise check in time at 8 at the YC marina. We took the first available and that seat was fine. After dinner, which was fantastic by the way, we had time to do a quick stop in the UK to meet Tigger and Pooh.


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

I think this is one of the most overlooked, or unknown, meet and greets in WDW. We have never waited long here, plus the kids can do crafts while they wait!

We then headed to the YC/BC marina to check in. When we arrived, the first CM I saw was Robert. He had taken us on this same cruise in June. I asked him if he was our captian that night and he said no. A shame too, since he was great!! A few minutes later, he met us again and said, "hello. I'm Robert and I'll be your captain tonight." He was able to switch with another driver. We have done several of these cruises, and the driver does make a big difference. If you ever do the Illuminations cruise, as for Robert!!!


Illuminations cruise by coachwnh, on Flickr

After the fireworks, we headed back to the MK from the YC then took the boat back to our resort to sleep. A very long first day, but a great way to start the trip!!!!!!

Tomorrow a MK scavenger hunt!!!!

 

[disneysince71]

Love it! Thank you for sharing

 

[Figgy1]

Love it! Thank you for sharing

What she said!! Love the m&g in the UK we always stop there! Great tip! Sounds amazing!

 

[coachwnh]

Day two was an early start. We headed to MK for opening and I headed right to SM for FPs. I met the family at Astro Orbiter for our first ride of the day. We were able to do quite a bit in Tomorrowland as well as Fantasyland that morning. Crowds again were large.

We had an 11:30 lunch at Tony's. It was only the second time we had been there. The meal itself was just OK, but the kids had a special Happy Birthday sung to them!


Barbershop happy birthday by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

My wife had planned a scavenger hunt for the kids through Gifts of a Lifetime (highly recommend) in the MK after lunch. We had to wait until 1 PM to begin. We took a slow walk to Liberty Square where we found this clue.


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

We spent the next 90 minutes searching the MK trying to make Mr Potatohead whole again. It was a great time!!!


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Scavenger hunt by coachwnh, on Flickr

Dinner that night was at Chef Mickey's. The kids loved it, but I am 100% getting buffeted out.


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

After dinner, walked back to MK for a few more hours in the park. We spent most of the time in fantasyland before heading back to the resort for the night. The forecast was for warmer temps the next day (80s), so we wanted to use the pool and the new Alice in Wonderland splash area. The kids were really looking forward to that!

 

[coachwnh]

We like to get to the parks early, so on day three, we were in Epcot at opening and we headed straight to TT. I got FPs for us then we got in line. Love this ride even with the changes!! After riding, we had to wait a bit for our next FP window, so we did MS green (won't do orange). After MS, we were ready for TT again, thi stime with our FP. After riding, we walked to Soarin for our FPs. They were for late afternoon, which was ok, since we had dinner ADRs at La Hacienda de San Angel for 7:30.

We kept busy in Future World unitl 11 when WS opened. We had an ADR at Teppan Edo for noon. So we then headed to Mexico. After riding, my wife and I wanted an adult drink. La Cava was not yet open, so we settled for a margarita and XX lager outside. It was getting warm!!! While we enjoyed our drink, we headed to Japan for lunch.

Lunch was great. We sat with a family from New Orleans. One of the many who had left LA to avoind the Mardi Gras chaos of their hometown.


Lunch at Teppan Edo by coachwnh, on Flickr

Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

After lunch, we headed back to the GF for some pool time.

 

[coachwnh]

Kids love the splash area at the pool!!!


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr



Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

 

[HouCuseChickie]

First off....LOOOOOOOVE the cakes! Maybe I need to get over my aversions of working with Pat b/c the GF really does a nice job! Also love all of your daughter's petiskirts! I'm at least reading this at a safe distance from my girls so they won't be begging for any as a result of this. The Alice based splash area also looks AWESOME and very fun for the kids! I'll also have to keep that M&G in mind (always forget it's there) because we have a Pooh super fan. Can't wait to read more!

 

[coachwnh]

Dinner the third night was at La Hacienda de San Angel. This is now a must do for us on every trip. We have been there four times and have never left disappointed. Even though they no longer accept the TIW card, we will continue to go back. We scheduled an ADR for 7:30 hoping to be there for Illimuminations. We were seated about 10 minutes late, but had a great seat overlooking the water. Dinner was fantastic as usual, but we were getting tired. With about 10 minutes to go before Illuminations started, we decided to beat the crowds and head quickly to the monorail back to TTC then GF. Not at all what we had planned, but if we were tired, the kids had to be, too.

My brother, sister-in-law and their three kids were scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning.
Our daughter was also scheduled for BBB in MK the next day at 8 am. Our son was doing the barber shop at 9. No need to stay up late with our fourth straight early morning tomorrow (and now with guests)!

 

[coachwnh]

The next morning we were up early and into the MK by 7:45. The park didn't open unitl 9 that day, but we had an 8 am appt. at BBB. It's great walking into the MK without crowds, so we stopped for a few pictures along the way.


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

 

[coachwnh]

We then headed to the castle for our appt. It wasn't busy at all. In fact there were empty seats. We had done BBB twice before, but in DTD. It was always so crowded. So the early morning appt time was great!


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

After the appt. was over, we had some time before our son's 9 am appt. at the Barbershop. So, we took a few more pictures!


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

And then we were off to the Barbershop

 

[coachwnh]

My son had been asking to do the Barbershop for a few trips now. So we made a 9 AM appt. We waited outside for about 10 minutes. He couldn't wait!!!


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

While waiting outside, the kids were given a ride to the Barbershop, from....the Barbershop. The CM asked where we were headed. My son told him. He said to hop in. The shortest ride of their lives! But fun none the less.


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

After he was finished, we headed to the Photopass studio next to the castle for pictures. We meet the mayor along the way.


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

Then, I grabbed some FPs for Peter Pan and it was on to Cinderella's Castle for breakfast.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

how adorable are your kids!!!!! OMG those cakes both look YUMMY!!!!!! Nothing beats MK in the early am hours, prior to the crowds! The *world* seems like its ALL yours!!!!

 

[coachwnh]

how adorable are your kids!!!!! OMG those cakes both look YUMMY!!!!!! Nothing beats MK in the early am hours, prior to the crowds! The *world* seems like its ALL yours!!!!

Thanks. Mom dresses them well.

 

[coachwnh]

I forgot to mention that both cakes were gluten free!!!!!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I forgot to mention that both cakes were gluten free!!!!!

Let me know when they're calorie free!!!! LOL

 

[Minnie Sue]

LOVE the idea of a scavenger hunt. Also love the kids' Disney Nerd shirts. May I ask where you found those?

 

[coachwnh]

LOVE the idea of a scavenger hunt. Also love the kids' Disney Nerd shirts. May I ask where you found those?

My wife found them online at stich this bling that.

 

[coachwnh]

I'm sure the trip report is great but I am fixated on the cakes!

The cakes were awesome!!! Both were chocolate with a ton of vanilla buttercream icing covered in fondant. I highly recommend. They did a great job at the GF!