Trip Report The Texas Ranger, The Beast, and We "started the fireworks": A trip of firsts!

Wow, this was a trip of many first for our happy little family. We have been to WDW numerous times, but this one was different, very different, in very many ways, and all good.

Let's start with the WHO:
myself, Debbie, known as Cee Gee to the grandsons.

CeeGee=Crazy Grandmom. According to my loving daughter, the boys have a normal grandmother (the other one apparently) and a crazy one......

which I would deeply resent if it weren't true, but that's another story.

Then there are the boys, Hunter (7) Logan (5) and Nicholas (3)

Always noisy and crazy when they are together.

And then their parents: my daughter Nicole

and her husband Steven.

And they call ME the crazy one!!!

The when- April 8-16, 2016

And the where- our first new first- Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort.

We have never stayed off property before. It was a big risk for us, we know disney properties and love them, but this place seemed so cool, we wanted to try. And for the 6 of us Disney properties require either 2 rooms or a suite, that gets expensive. So we bit the bullet, chewed our nails, and booked an off-property resort. When the real report starts I'll tell you if we were happy or not.

so more tomorrow......................

 

[docdebbi]

Sorry about all the hassle and disappointment at AK.

Steve's cracking me up with his Goofy hat and pins!

Yeah, he is a good husband and father and basically good human being. That being said.......Nicole considers him her fourth child.

 

[docdebbi]

So exiting Tusker House, we did a quick check and Safari was open. You can only imagine the line, but would have been crazy to leave the area and come all the way back. So we got in the llloooonnnnngggg line and went on the safari, and this was even with a FP. That line was way out of the entrance with lots of CMs there holding signs where to line up and making rope queues. Only checking Magic Band for one person per family.

This totally screwed up my plan for the day. LAMINATED POCKETS CARDS FOLKS!!!!

We were supposed to go home around 4:00 for nap/rest and then go to T-Rex for dinner. The decision to be made was if the rest was important enough to start cutting out some activities. The boys had done remarkably well on the days that we didn't get home- mostly because Nicholas actually fell asleep every afternoon that we didn't get home- so we decided to stick it out, do the safari and everything else on the schedule and hope for the best.

Yeah, good old Steven even snuck in a surprise ride at the end of the day- making us actually late for dinner.

We did have a very nice safari once we got there. Now Hunter decided that we needed a picture of every animal we saw, and since he was beisde me, I had to take them. If he looked over and I wasn't shooting, I got the saddest eyes. We have indeed done this safari lots of times, I have enough pictures of animals, but if Hunter wants it...........All three boys do have me wrapped around their little fingers. Nicole thinks maybe I spoil them a little bit

As long as I took the pics, I might as well throw them in...
only got the butt of the rhino

but did get a good hippo

and a few gators

he LOVED the baby giraffes- who doesn't

even wanted a shot of him with it, but you have to look hard to see it. Those vehicles do move fast and bumpily!

Ostrich came pretty close visiting

always love the elephants. Since you can't see them anymore at the Philly zoo, circus, etc, it is special to see them here.

after a good safari, we took a couple group shots......

 

[docdebbi]

And then made the (very) delayed trip over to Dino Land. The boys do like climbing all over here, gets rid of a little energy, we sure enough need that!

But why must they JUMP off of everything? All the other nice little children just climb on stuff, ours see how high they can climb and jump off it before they get caught! or break a leg, whichever comes first!

Then a thrilling spin on Triceratop spin. I repeat, Nicholas needs to get a little taller if he wants to be in our pictures....

And my pilot for the trip. He insisted on reaching over into the back and doing both controls during the ride. Little control freak! Have no idea where he got that from (says laminated pocket cards girl)

 

[docdebbi]

Next up was Finding Nemo, and then a trip on Kali River Rapids.

We always go to the dollar store before our trip and get dollar flip flops to wear on this ride so we can throw them away after. We don't mind wet clothes but do mind blisters from wet shoes. Our little guys never wear flip flops, so it's a learning experience for them, from the entrance where we put them on, up to the boat. Hunter and Logan learned quickly, they're a little older. Nicholas, not so much. After a while gave up and carried him, but they make the kids walk over to the boat on the loading platform. Almost funny to watch.

In the old days, they had that nice waterproof section in the middle of the boats and we put our shoes there, don't know why they got rid of it. It was so much easier, alas.

So we started off dry.....

Did NOT end up dry

This was the "everyone look like you're shivering for the camera shot". Yeah, not going to grow up to be actors, better study hard and be scientists.

And the drowned rat look......

Now, in my carefully laid out plans, we leave after Kali and go home and change before going to a restaurant. But not today, the safari closure really messed me up.

Now, without my knowing it, Steven went and got an extra fastpass on his phone, and informed me after Kali that he and Logan were going over to do Expedition Everest. Now we had debated this multiple times before and during the trip. Logan had watched this online and wanted to do it. Nicole and I said it was just too scary, we didn't want to scare him off of things. Daddy didn't listen. Daddy felt he could do it. He wanted to do it. So the (maybe) overprotective women lost out.

We took Hunter and Nicholas and went to discovery island and gazed at some animals while the crazies went on Everest. I actually love that ride too, but he didn't get fastpasses for us. Just him and Logan. Daddy/Logan bonding time.

He looks scared to me, but swears he loved it. And has definite bragging rights.
Finally got to leave the park, but way after the initial plan. And had to get quickly to Disney Springs.

 

[NelleBelle]

Love reading about your trip! The pictures of your family are so precious! I'm glad I "stumbled" onto your report looking for reviews about Wyndham Bonnet Creek (my family is staying there this Oct and are very excited). I wanted to ask a question...I noticed in one of the pictures that you (or Nicole) have a magic band that has Sally's dress pattern on it (from Nightmare Before Christmas) and wondered where you bought it--did you guys buy your magic bands before your trip or once you got there? Can't wait for more of your report...it's great!

 

[docdebbi]

Love reading about your trip! The pictures of your family are so precious! I'm glad I "stumbled" onto your report looking for reviews about Wyndham Bonnet Creek (my family is staying there this Oct and are very excited). I wanted to ask a question...I noticed in one of the pictures that you (or Nicole) have a magic band that has Sally's dress pattern on it (from Nightmare Before Christmas) and wondered where you bought it--did you guys buy your magic bands before your trip or once you got there? Can't wait for more of your report...it's great!

we buy decals from this site, myfantasybands.com, and put them on the ones Disney sends us.

we each have a couple different ones, basically because we are all big kids....
when applied properly- I didn't read the instructions first time and got a bad seal- they have stayed on great and cheaper than buying a whole decorated band, and you can change the design if you want a "new" band

this is the sally one, hope it helps

http://myfantasybands.com/site/shop/franken-decal/

 

[docdebbi]

Love reading about your trip! The pictures of your family are so precious! I'm glad I "stumbled" onto your report looking for reviews about Wyndham Bonnet Creek (my family is staying there this Oct and are very excited). I wanted to ask a question...I noticed in one of the pictures that you (or Nicole) have a magic band that has Sally's dress pattern on it (from Nightmare Before Christmas) and wondered where you bought it--did you guys buy your magic bands before your trip or once you got there? Can't wait for more of your report...it's great!

just realized you talked about wyndham bonnet creek- we loved it there. i highly recommend it, if you have any questions let me know

 

[docdebbi]

So then we headed over to Disney Springs. This was our first trip since it changed name and everything else about it. We couldn't quite figure out the parking but found our way to the orange parking lot.
MY OH MY, what a long way it is from the parking lot to T-Rex. And so much more crowded now. I guess that is a good thing for Disney, but crazy crowded, noisy, confusing for me.
Finally made it, but about ten minutes late, despite running all the way. Immediately put in the "has reservations" line, and then waited 20 minutes in that line!! At least most places, you get a beeper and can walk around. Corralling those guys in that tiny line - and making them be polite and not bump into other folks in that tiny space- was not the highlight of the day. But we finally were seated.

The kids of course loved the whole thing. Took a hike around and saw some dinosaurs.

I got the appetizer sampler for dinner. Of course had to share, that was enough food for three of us and still had some left over. But it is delicious.

Then the amazing erupting volcano. Boys played with the volcano long after the food was gone.

Again, too much dessert for even six of us to finish. But you get it for the volcano, not the food. But the food is mighty yummy.

That was it for the night. Had to manage to pack tonight after the little guys went to bed. So it was a long tiring night. And of course we couldn't waste the left over wine and beer. It HAD to be consumed. So at least it was a fun long tiring night.
Another thing we liked about Bonnet Creek? They have a box in each building where you can put any still wrapped leftover food for donation to needy folks. Makes you feel good about having extra. And no need for me to walk the halls of the hotel like I usually do, trying to give it away. And it's going to a good cause.

 

[sheriffwoody]

They have a box in each building where you can put any still wrapped leftover food for donation to needy folks.

That is so awesome! Love that idea.

 

[docdebbi]

So some bright brain (read that as ME), thought the next morning was a good day for an 8:10 AM breakfast in the Magic Kingdom. So another early morning wake up. That's why we did plan an early night the night before for the boys. Not for us!!! Wow, was it rough.

Now, it gets even better. We could not fit all of us and all of our luggage in our one minivan (one downside to not staying on Disney property- couldn't check our luggage as we usually do), so we had a complicated plan. The night before we packed the cars so there was going to be no room for people.

So the night before we had called a taxi and scheduled a pick up for 7:15 for the people and I would drive the car over and park it. Of course the taxi man called me and said there was an accident on the road and he had to go the long way around and would be late. Anxiety meter going up.......

He got there only 15 minutes late, but that's a lot when you have an ADR. He had me follow him through some back way in since I did indeed see the main road near us closed with police activity. So that was helpful. After the toll booths, I headed for the parking lot and he dropped the kids at the Contemporary to walk over. Seemed like the most quick efficient way to get them in there.

We met up at the entrance and made it just in time for our Crystal Palace ADR. We eat here every meal and the boys remember it (except the 3 year old) and look forward to it.

They were happy to be seeing Winnie and friends (we actually dressed as them for the Halloween party one time because they love them so).


Despite being a little late, Goofy was at it again.....


.

So we all joined in

After all it was our last day at Disney World so we were feeling the love

and the kids finally got the idea of magic shots.

So we were seated pretty quickly and met some old friends

Every time Tigger comes around, Steve bounces at him and makes him bounce back. Yup, Nicole's fourth child. But now the kids have learned to do the same, poor Tigger had to bounce for us.

High five for piglet

We were there so long waiting for Eeyore who missed us the first time that Winnie made it around a second time. Obviously OK with the kids.

Finally eeyore- Nicole's favorite.

Breakfast done, on to our day. Hunter had been begging to play Sorcerers of the Kingdom, and this was the day. He was literally jumping up and down with excitement.

 

[MinnieM123]

Another thing we liked about Bonnet Creek? They have a box in each building where you can put any still wrapped leftover food for donation to needy folks. Makes you feel good about having extra. And no need for me to walk the halls of the hotel like I usually do, trying to give it away. And it's going to a good cause.

Can I tell you how impressed I am to read that? I can't imagine the amount of food that goes to waste, and Bonnet Creek is being proactive in sharing with those less fortunate.

 

[docdebbi]

So we went on over to the Fire Station and learned how to play Sorcerers of the Kingdom. Very similar in idea to Phineas and Ferb that we'd already played, but not played with an iPhone, but did have a map. I think this one is easier to play- with 3 squealing impatient little ones keeping you from really paying attention to what you're doing.

Along the way the barber shop quartet came by, it just seems so strange to see them arrive in this car, but it was while the trolley tracks were covered over (i don't know if that's over yet or not).
But the boys were intrigued by them

Then we continued on until we defeated the evil villains.

With a promise to play another round of it later in the afternoon, if there was time.

We went over and did another trip on Buzz, then Peoplemover- AGAIN- and then astro-orbiter

You know it's reallly hard to get pictures of someone sitting 2 inches in front of you!!!

Next we did Monsters Inc, and then headed over to Adventureland and rode Pirates again and then onto Splash Mountain. Hunter was having no part of Splash, which he has ridden in the past, but now was too afraid. NIcole and Steve were very distraught about his slipping backwards in his progress but eventually conceded and let him stay back with me while they rode. We just don't know the right answers about how to deal with his special issues, and when to push and when to accept his reticence.
But at least everyone else had fun on splash. Yeah, look at this picture, but the kids swore they had fun.

By now we were getting a little hungry, but just couldn't justify standing in any of the crazy long food lines we saw. It was Dapper Day, and while most of the participants weren't riding the attractions, and it was only a minor impact on wait times, they sure did need to eat, and there was a MAJOR impact on food lines.

 

[docdebbi]

So what's an irresponsible parent to do?

Why, we let them eat popcorn, of course.
I guess they were tired and ready for a break, because it took forever to finish that popcorn. They kept playing with it, feeding it to each other, and generally having a ball, just eating popcorn.

So after the break, we realized that if we were going to actually get any food today, we were going to have to bite the bullet and invest a few hours in standing in a line somewhere. Casey's seemed to be a good choice, so we tried to work our way back to Main Street. This was no small feat, it was crazy crowded, you couldn't even move down the streets. I had no idea that it was Dapper Day when we planned this trip, and I certainly had no idea how crowded that would make the MK. Holy Cow!!

So when we saw the line for Casey's we almost cried, but decided that what had to be done, had to be done. So Steve and Nicole stood in line while I searched for a table. There was nothing, anywhere, anywhere, anywhere. Even across the street near the Plaza and the bakery, etc.

So I finally settled on a picnic on the grass in the new hub. This apparently is where most of the Dapper hang out and greet each other. Lots of picture taking amongst themselves, and we could barely find a bare spot on the grass. But at last I grabbed a corner, and let the boys blow off some steam.

Notice the dapperness going on in the background. Finally, praise the Lord, after waiting almost 2 hours, Nicole and Steve arrived with some hot dogs. They obviously didn't know how big the dogs are at Casey's because we had enough left over to feed a third world country. Felt bad wasting it too, but we were leaving for the airport soon.

 

[docdebbi]

So lunch, once it arrived, was a hit. Being a picnic made it even more fun for the boys.

Again, notice the dapperness behind Logan here.
So, by now it was so late that we did not have time to do anything of value before the Festival of Fantasy parade. So we did a little shopping, worked our way down Main Street and hung out waiting for the parade.

 

[MinnieM123]

I've said it before--your 3 boys are precious! You have so many wonderful family photos and have created memories for all of you for years to come.

I think the size of the hot dogs at Casey's are insane. For me, I just prefer a normal sized one with a little mustard and relish.

 

[Courtney6682]

So the trip started on Friday night, April 8, right after work. Over time we've come to realize that waking the kids early enough to make an early Saturday morning flight, left all of us too tired out. So we started going Friday evening and taking sleeping kids right off the plane and over to the Hyatt in the airport, still asleep in their strollers.

So after a long day of work, we all packed up the cars, yes two cars, (moving 6 folks and our luggage is no small feat), and off we went to Philadelphia Airport.

Following along!! We left from Philly on April 8th as well

 

[docdebbi]

@Courtney6682
glad you're following, did you do a trip report? i'd love to read it if so.

and what part of philly are you? we are in media

 

[Courtney6682]

omg

@Courtney6682
glad you're following, did you do a trip report? i'd love to read it if so.

and what part of philly are you? we are in media

Wow! We are in Glenolden and I work in Broomall...I will get u a link from my latest report

ok here ya go pal @docdebbi ...http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/4th-trip-in-less-than-12-mos-ok-sure.911453/

 

[Courtney6682]

OMGG!! Logan's Prince Charming outfit is the CUTEST!!!

 

[Tiggerish]

I've said it before--your 3 boys are precious! You have so many wonderful family photos and have created memories for all of you for years to come.

I think the size of the hot dogs at Casey's are insane. For me, I just prefer a normal sized one with a little mustard and relish.

Same here. Too bad they don't offer both kinds.