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

 

[Figgy1]

Always happy to see smiling children!

 

[coachwnh]

Always happy to see smiling children!

Thanks. We had a great time!!!!

 

[coachwnh]

Now, to finally finish this trip report.

Saturday, February 16

It has always been a goal of ours to make it to all four parks in one day, and actually do things, not just make it there. We had made several tries before, and have made three parks, but never kept it up. Today we were determined!!!!

We had a plan to start at HS for EMH, then head to Epcot before moving on to AK were we had lunch at Tusker House with my brothers family at 1:35. From there we would move on to MK. We were up early and at HS by 7:40 and could not believe the line we saw!!!!! They had stopped checking bags at the security tables and were no longer allowing anyone through. The plan was to head right to TS, get a FP, then move on to RnR and TOT. We then had planned to move on to Epcot in time to get a FP for Soarin then get in line at TT. No way that woud happen now. The day had just started and we were behind schedule.

We finally entered HS at 8:20. A full 20 minutes after EMH even though we were there 20 minutes early. Not even at Christmas had we seen anything like this!!! My brother and I were no where near each other entering the park , but somehow we ended up next to each other at the FP line for TSMM. By the time we got there our passes were for 11:20. Not good. We met the rest of our families at RnR only to learn it was down. Oh boy!! So we walked to TOT.


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

As soon as we got off, RnR was up and running. The posted time said 100 minutes, but there was nobody there. We were on and off in less than 10 minutes. We had so much time before our TSMM FPs, that we visited One Man's Dream (our son's favorite and something again that my brother and his family never saw). We then waited about 20 minutes to do the drawing class which was fun!!!! It was now Toy Story time. As always, a great time. We then set off to Epcot.

 

[coachwnh]

It took over 40 minutes for the bus to arrive for Epcot. We should have just walked!!! Anyway, the FPs for both Soarin and TT were late afternoon. There was no way we could wait and still get to AK in time for our scheduled ADR at Tusker House. The kids picked TT for the FP, then we headed to WS to meet Duffy!


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

We then headed to Club Cool to taste sodas from around the world. We are well aware of the bad taste of Beverly, but the kids (and I) still take a sip each trip. To our disappointment, no Beverly. We then headed for the bus for our ride to AK.

 

[coachwnh]

By @Allym146 reviving this I realized I never finished the last day. We did in fact get to all four parks that last day. Only time we've done that.

 

[FlaggNL]

thanks fro sharing this marvelous report!!

 

[coachwnh]

thanks fro sharing this marvelous report!!

Thanks for taking the time to read!

 

[FlaggNL]

Thanks for taking the time to read!

as always

 

[Allym146]

Haha! When I've read through all the current trip reports I go back and hunt for old ones. Glad to hear you were able to get to all four parks! This looks like it was the best birthday trip your kids could have, so much fun!