Trip Report "the Good, the Bad and the Sleepy"

Has it really been two weeks since we got back?! I debated about doing a trip report but like all of you I can't seem to stay away. This may end up being a short condensed report but then again maybe not since I'm so indecisive. No notes were taken and everything is kind of a blur, I'm just giving you warning ahead of time. Also a lot of my pictures were taken on my phone so some of the quality may not be the best. We purchased the Memory Maker and so glad we did. I never am able to get pic's of all of us on any vacations so this really helped and the ride photos were fantastic, the kids loved posing for them. Now on to the report!!

Here we are!!

We're:
Katie
Terrie
Jake
Emma
Zack

Katie brought a friend along who will show up in future pictures. We will call her Friend.

We left Indiana July 21st at 3:00am . This worked out perfect since Joe is usually up at this time for work. Due to construction and breaks we didn't arrive to Orlando until 9pm. We had 2 full days planned and stayed at Hilton Embassy Suites.

Large Connect Four anyone?

We also ate at Giordano's!! Thanks @lostpro9het and @imahistorygeek !

Had some elevator dancing

And some serious games of Ping Pong

Although we had a great time Disney was calling so off we headed to Beach Club for some Dinner . We were having The Kitchen Sink for dinner!! We only could get a reservation for 4 but had 6 in our party. When we checked in we let them know what we did and Joe and I offered to sit out if it was an inconvenience. With smiles and not fake ones they said "no problem but it may take longer". We waited about 20 minutes and were called to our table. As soon as Katie asked if they still make an announcement for the Kitchen Sink the lights went off and the waitress started her routine!! It was a great new experience for us and would recommend it!!

We headed to the Board Walk to see what was going on over there!

Because we didn't want to leave Disney Property yet we took a boat to HS to watch the Star Wars fireworks from outside the gates.

It was nice but none of us are Star Wars fan and I'm sure it was much better from inside the park. When the flames went off we felt the heat from where we were!

We decided to head back to Hilton. We weren't to sad, we knew we'd be back very very soon.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Today July 26th is a "scheduled" sleep in day and the much coveted Ohana Day. Dinner was at 3:30. I was a little excited for this early time despite some complainers on this site. It worked out great for us because we really stuffed ourselves then had plenty of time to walk it off.

We hopped on a bus to MK then the monorail to Poly.

We were a little early so we stopped in the shop to do some browsing.

We were seated right on time and had a special visit from our chef. Emma doesn't like sweet marinades on her meat and she wanted to know if they could make some steak without it. It was no problem at all.

After we got our fill we got on the monorail and headed to MK!!! My photos tell me we headed to PP, BTMRR, Splash first, then Tea cups, SM and more

At this time The Hubby, Zack, and Emma were ready to go back. Wishes was not happening this night we missed it. Katie wanted to meet her favorite princess Aurora so Katie and Friend went their separate ways and I was left all alone! I just walked around and enjoyed the music and lights.

This time to myself was awesome! I slowly walked to the buses and fell into blissful sleep.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Just a few more shots of my time alone.

 

[Tuvalu]

Happy to see you got to eat the Kitchen Sink together . Still bummed our paths didn't cross at BOG or when you were at the Poly!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Happy to see you got to eat the Kitchen Sink together . Still bummed our paths didn't cross at BOG or when you were at the Poly!

Me too. It would have been nice to see a wdwmagic face. Will we be seeing a Tuvalu report soon?

 

[HurricaneHanna]

Isn't it great when the kids are old enough that you can split up? Of course it was awesome when they were little, but there's a certain satisfaction when everyone can go do whatever makes them happy leaving you free to do what makes you happy.

I love the way your kids playfully pose for the pictures

 

[monorail_mom]

There is cake, angel food cake. Also brownie's, banana's, milky ways, strawberries just to name a few. There were a few things in there we didn't like but we would still do it again, as long as we have seperate bowls!!

Looks and sounds amazing- must try next time for sure!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Looks and sounds amazing- must try next time for sure!

It was definitely worth it! The lights go out, other lights flash the CM's shout this spiel. The kids really enjoyed it.

Isn't it great when the kids are old enough that you can split up? Of course it was awesome when they were little, but there's a certain satisfaction when everyone can go do whatever makes them happy leaving you free to do what makes you happy.

I love the way your kids playfully pose for the pictures

My kids were pretty wonderful the first few trips, then the trip of 2013 came and I swore I'd never go to Disney with my kids again. But we came back and they were great again. This really was a great trip all around. Plus were a pretty corny family so making goofy faces for photos is a norm for us.

 

[Tuvalu]

Me too. It would have been nice to see a wdwmagic face. Will we be seeing a Tuvalu report soon?

I started a retro report:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/it-began-here-magic-kingdom-july-1972.916893/

Recent one coming soon!

 

[Zipadeelady]

I started a retro report:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/it-began-here-magic-kingdom-july-1972.916893/

Recent one coming soon!

I just got done reading it! How awesome that you have those photos!! Loved reading it and ready for more. I love the picture with your dad in his striped shorts and orange/brown socks.

 

[Tuvalu]

I love the picture with your dad in his striped shorts and orange/brown socks.

Kind of hard to believe my dad worked for a major men's clothing company at the time!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Kind of hard to believe my dad worked for a major men's clothing company at the time!

I really think you have to be pulling my leg! Now that's funny!.

 

[Tuvalu]

I really think you have to be pulling my leg! Now that's funny!.

If only....sad, but really true!!

 

[Zipadeelady]

It's Wednesday July 27th.

This Morning we're headed to AK at opening. Friend has been looking forward to the Lion King Show and since I wanted to see the first show she got up bright and early with us girls. (Other than our first day this is the only time she made an opening). The boys opted to sleep in. We had FP for Kilimjaro, EE and Kali River. So the boys knew to meet us by the start of or first FP at 10:30.

My hair is still down so you can tell it's still early in the morning. It was so hot I had to put my hair up every morning with in the first hour

Monkey's for your viewing pleasure



After this Katie met Tarzan but unfortunately there are no photos. The boys were on their way so we stopped in to It's tough to be a bug. Then headed to KS to start our FP's.

Before our Kali River FP we grabbed some lunch. Katie went to try the watermelon salad at Flame Tree (because she a vegitarian and all) and we went into Pizzafari for some air conditioning, I mean pizza. I have to say it but I miss the old pizza that everyone seems to hate. We got soaked on Kali and took a squishy walk to the buses. back to the resort to rest, swim and some mid week laundry.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Continuing with the night of the 27th

After a much needed swim and laundry (the laundry is right next to the main pool so I swam while doing laundry).

Heading out for round II

Our group was splitting up for dinner tonight. Everyone except Katie and I love seafood. So they all had reservations at Cape May so they could eat all the crab legs they wanted. NO pics at all. . Katie and I headed to Via Napoli

Katie ordered our pizza and didn't realize that one of the ingrediants was meat . She picked it off thought. While waiting for our pizza I kept feeling like someone was staring at me. Do you ever get that feeling?

I love this picture. I love it so much I've made it my desktop for my work computer.

Everyone else was still eating their nasty crab legs so Katie and I walk slowly towards all this loud noise we were hearing. It was coming from the UK.

Then I couldn't walk away, I had to find the source!! It was OZZY!!



I really enjoyed this band. Their name escapes me at the moment. British revolution? NO....

The others were done so Katie and headed to International Gateway to meet them.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Emma and I disagreed on what we should do and this caused for some unhappy moments. We all survived and decided to go to Soarin since the park was getting real close to closing. (Wait, the last time we rode Soarin Emma was unhappy with me too. That's 2-2 on the grumpy scale at Soarin.) We had to wait about 20 Minutes to fly.

After this I was trying to get back to my happy place and one thing I really wanted to do was walk the world show case after park close. I wanted no crowds, no one saying "come on lets go". I wanted music, I wanted lights. Silly kids, don't they know momma always wins. Katie and Friend stayed in Future world to shop, Zack wanted to go back to the resort, Emma decided she didn't want to do anything but Worldshow case sounded the best. She just played Pokémon Go anyway. So off Jake, Emma and I go.

It was beautiful! One of my favorite things we did the whole vacation. Now I have to tell you, my feet hurt this whole trip except for day one. I don't know why. I'm not terribly old, I'm not too out of shape, My shoes were new but not too new. My big toe joint ached the whole time too. So this walk was a joy and a pain but it was worth every step.

 

[HurricaneHanna]

A walk around World Showcase after the Illuminations crowd thins out is my favorite part of every trip.

Sorry about your feet. I always bring at least five pairs of shoes. That way, even though my feet take a beating, the spots under siege aren't the same day to day.

 

[fractal]

Nice pic of the elephant spraying him/herself!

sounds like a nice stroll around WS, except for your feet.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Nice pic of the elephant spraying him/herself!

sounds like a nice stroll around WS, except for your feet.

Thank you, It's definitely a compliment coming from you!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Today is July 28th

This morning is the best morning. Ok I shouldn't say that as there has been so many "bests" this trip. With the first day at MK going better than planned, then my night around Epcot, Oh and our first night at AK was pretty awesome too!

Only Katie and I made it to opening at MK, everyone else slept in. We got there a little before 9 but no Welcome show. I believe they opened at 8. How did I miss this? What kind of planner am I?

This sounds silly but I love the bus stops when I get off the busses.

All of our FP were for tonight but Katie and I weren't worried. Adventure land and Frontier Land was pretty much deserted. We rode Splash, BTMRR, Pirates, HM before heading to FantasyLand.

Katie liked watching this little guy.

Then one last stop before heading back to the resort to meet up with the others.

 

[Zipadeelady]

A walk around World Showcase after the Illuminations crowd thins out is my favorite part of every trip.

Sorry about your feet. I always bring at least five pairs of shoes. That way, even though my feet take a beating, the spots under siege aren't the same day to day.

I am now adding the walk around Worldshow as a must do every trip. It was so nice. As for my foot issue, I'm still confused. It's never happened before. But I guess I better start preparing for it in the future. I just might start packing more than two pairs from now on.