Year of the Tiger...err.. Mouse

During the Chinese Year of the Tiger, we enjoyed an incredible Year of the Mouse. Our YofM includes 4 trips to the world and 2 other mouse sightings back at home.

Our cast of characters:
DH: Mouse loving adult to the nth degree who plans the trips and hypes the countdowns. Not a park commando, but can spend the day just soaking in my happy place.
DW: Mouse loving adult who puts up with me and reminds me we have 3 small kids. Prefers soaking in the sun by the pool and time at the parks at night when the sun has disappeared. Shopping must be included in some manner.
DD: starts the voyage as a 9 year old but ends it a 10 year old - loves the world, not a princess or fairy. Thrill seeker who enjoys a few rides for the first time.
DS: overly energetic 4 year old who ends the voyage as a beyond energetic 5 year old. Starts the trip not tall enough for the rides he wants, and ends the voyage an inch shorter than he wants for SM and EE
DS: the only one who remains the same age (3) through the entire journey. Our Autistic child who adores fireworks and screams when they are over. We apologize to all of those poor souls around us at the end of Illuminations.

Other characters will be introduced as the year continues.

Some of the other realities, we are DVC owners since 2008. DVC is the only reason we were even able to attempt this adventure. Our DVC guide is amazing and there will be shout outs to her later on. We purchased Annual Passes for the first time ever with the assistance of both the DVC discount and the Give a Day, Get a Day volunteer promotion. Those two discounts saved us about $800 in park tickets.

Our park game plan is usually sleep in, enjoy the resort, close a park down using the EMH whenever we can. We look at this model as a way to avoid crowds and get the kids tired so they crash on the way home.

Enough with the pre-ramblings, lets begin.....

 

[etpinge]

Spring Break 2010 March 28 to April 2

Day 1: Flight down and OKW

DW and I both work in education which limits our vacation windows. We decided to start the tradition of escaping Chicago and heading to WDW for spring break with 2010. We have points, we should use them, and Chicago is rarely nice in late March.

We like AirTrain... and for this trip we flew from Milwaukee (MKE)
The little DS at MKE getting prepared, camel in one hand and my phone in the other. He drained the battery watching youtube captured fireworks before we landed.

Once on the plane, the ladies smile with excitement...

and the elder DS goes teenager on us

Once on the ground, the little guy realizes he doesnt need a car seat on the DME

We arrive at OKW around 10:30pm, check in, let the kids snoop out the room while we quickly unpack

...... more on the next post.....

 

[etpinge]

Day 1: Continued.....

and head off with Give a Day vouchers to the only park that is open, MK since the vouchers are blacked out at midnight.

Enroute to MK, the bus overwhelms the little guy (note, the double stroller is making its third trip)

APs complete, one kid asleep, its 11:07pm, and we are at the Magic Kindom, what would you do?

Go inside and catch Spectro-Magic!

and learn the the elder DS is tall enough for Thunder Mountain!

and of course on the way out, take pictures of the youngest one asleep in front of his castle. Yes, his castle. Its one of the few words he says and fixates over pictures (thanks Tom for all the castle pictures in Flickr!)

And then its back to OKW to create our sleeping cage for the kids

 

[Ariel484]

Nice report so far! Your kids are adorable. I feel your pain with that Midwest weather ...and the school schedule (my husband is a teacher as well). Looking forward to the rest!

 

[etpinge]

Day 2, DTD, OKW, DAK

Back to the room around 1am, then up early since the human alarm clock was well rested. We explored OKW’s public area and learned there was a ferry to DTD, which we did for lunch (no pictures). Little guy loved his balcony, he spent at least 8 hours on it during the week.

After DTD it was pool time

....continued.....

 

[etpinge]

Day 2: continued DAK

After clean up from the pool, it was time to enjoy the Animal Kingdom

For those with small children, you NEED to plan for at least an hour at the Bone Yard. It is by far the most enjoyable place for our kids, of all ages.

Time to eat, and since we all dont eat the same thing, we separated to hunt and gather and then returned to the Flame-Tree BBQ terrace to eat. Here is a Photopass picture of the boys and me returning with a Pizza-fari meal.

After dinner it was time to digest it with excitement. DS and I enjoy Triceratop Whirl

and then DD rides Everest for the first time, ever! at night

And then time to rock the bug eyes!

And then crash on our private bus ride home

 

[etpinge]

Day 3 Epcot - MK

The human alarm clock was up early again, and we decided to roll with it. Epcot first thing.

We separate so the tall enough kids can enjoy Soarin’ while an adult gets the not tall enough DS and the Rider Swap FP (great invention!). The height challenged one and I venture off to the Epcot character spot.

Once we found each other, not easy with cell phones and crowds, we find America in the world showcase for a traditional american lunch, teriyaki chicken, sushi, and chicken nuggets.

Then the drums in the oasis

And then we head back home for the pool and notice the sign

We chuckle, and head off to swim
no pictures, just swimming

 

[etpinge]

Day 3 continued: MK (yum!!)

Off to MK for the evening to fulfill a dream of mine that I never knew I had. Wishes Dessert Show. OMG! You need to do this at least once in your life.

DW who is not a sweets eater was happy

YDS will not touch sweets, so he enjoyed Cheetos

DW stole the camera to show my excitement

 

[etpinge]

More Yum!

And my plates: named 1, 2, 3, 4

And then the fireworks with no crowds. Slightly off center, but a wonderful time. During Wishes, Tink lands on top of you.

The site had its own photopass cameraperson who took some great shots

 

[etpinge]

Day 4: OKW DHS

We are wearing down a bit so we slept the morning away and swam (no pictures)
Then off to DHS

The little guy was sooo excited he couldnt contain himself. He was asleep as we wandered in.

Cruised around, we werent very good about taking picutres and ended up at the end of the night, during EMH with a 90 minute queue for TSM, and yes, we were insane and waited. YDS was very unhappy with being woken up and waiting. We did get this cute picture with him on the symbol for Autism. Thanks Imaginears for your tremendous planning.

And once off TSM, the park was closed, but we did find a Photopass for one late night shot. Notice 10 eyeballs on this picture.

 

[etpinge]

Day 5: Epcot - MK

We now have hit every park at least once and its time to catch our favotites. Back to Epcot for more Soarin and Test Track and World Showcase. How can you not visit WS and not try on the hats?!

Back to OKW for a swim and a rest

 

[etpinge]

Day 5: Continued

Then to MK for another night of SpectroMagic and Wishes!

Tired little guy catching the sites at night while the big guy crashes.

And DW finds her greatest joy at WDW

Back to OKW and the sad reality that this is our last night

 

[etpinge]

Day 6: MK and So Long

Yes, we went back to MK since we had a pile of QSDP snacks left and we had to use them! We also had a massive craving for Mickey Rice Krispie Treats. The stay fresh for a long time and are perfect for throwing in suit cases.

On the way to MK, I caught a Purple Van leaving OKW

We did have a few minutes to hit a few rides

And then it was over

We did learn a lesson this morning. Transportation funnels guests to the parks, but if you are looking for a return trip before 10:30am you will be waiting a long time. We were supposed to catch the DME at 11:10am, we arrived back at OKW at 11:05am and sprinted to the room to grab our bags and then to the DME pickup.

Our waiting spot and over priced food spot at MCO

Wondering if a Pirate can make it through the MCO security check point

Back to reality, or so we think....

 

[etpinge]

Nice report so far! Your kids are adorable. I feel your pain with that Midwest weather ...and the school schedule (my husband is a teacher as well). Looking forward to the rest!

Thank you

I hope to get the Report done through November today. Its more work than I thought it would be.

 

[jhoff3405]

I am impressed, getting in so late on night one and still going to a park! Then up early the next morning again!
Coffee, Red Bull????? or is it just the pure excitement of being there?

Looking forward to more.

 

[etpinge]

I am impressed, getting in so late on night one and still going to a park! Then up early the next morning again!
Coffee, Red Bull????? or is it just the pure excitement of being there?

Looking forward to more.

Nope, no coffee or redbull. DW likes her morning diet coke (quick service mug . In reality its just the human alarm clock waking the villa and then the energetic 4/5 year old bouncing off the walls that drags the rest of us into the world of the living.

And besides, you can sleep when you get home, right?

 

[etpinge]

May 23 DVC Disney Dream Event

Living in the Chicagoland area and having a GREAT DVC guide means we get to hear about all the sales events. I am sure all guides are great during big sales events, but still, we feel special. With the announcement of the Dream and Aulani, DVC Chicago hosted another great event with sales pitch and dance party. Our friends won the door prize, we enjoyed referring them, win win The Dance Party is our real draw. The kids get a night out and get to play with the characters. We have seen MIckey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Tinkerbell, Aladdin, and Genie during the events. Each character has time to spend with the kids and adults in a very low stress environment.

and if you have read the TL this far, you know a sleeping kid is a sign of a great time. We only have a 15 minute ride from Schaumburg and he was out in 5 minutes. A three hour evening with the mouse keeping the year of the mouse alive

 

[mickeymaniacs]

Just wanted to say that I am loving the report! My nephew is Autistic and he loves Disney. He is 14 and has been going since he was 4. He actually cried once when he had got off the plane back home and got in the car it was so sad! It takes alittle bit of precautionary planning with us cause J doesn't like a bunch of really loud people crowded into a very small space but other than that he never has any problems, he is just happy to be there! Can't wait to read the rest:wave:

 

[etpinge]

Just wanted to say that I am loving the report! My nephew is Autistic and he loves Disney. He is 14 and has been going since he was 4. He actually cried once when he had got off the plane back home and got in the car it was so sad! It takes alittle bit of precautionary planning with us cause J doesn't like a bunch of really loud people crowded into a very small space but other than that he never has any problems, he is just happy to be there! Can't wait to read the rest:wave:

The challenges of a semi-predictable Autistic child. My youngest is doing pretty well with the crowds and loves the loud fireworks. He has grown to realize that a lot of fireworks together is the sign the end is coming and he begins to scream. In fact, he will wait in line for Barnstormer and loves it and other motion sensitive rides. We are still a good 6 inches too short for BTMR.

Our biggest challenge is that he is mostly non-verbal. We play a guessing game with him when he is grumpy and we guess what he wants. The list of things we run through is amazing, especially with the escalating frustration.

 

[etpinge]

July 2010 - Anniversary escape

DVC + Annual Pass = inexpensive anniversary trip to WDW

DW and I escaped the summer of Chicago for the summer of Orlando, but we had an excuse and it was a great time. She is a huge fan of Contemporary and after getting the book end nights of our trip at Bay Lake Towers and finally the wait list coming through for the middle, our trip was complete. We chose to explore the Tables in Wonderland experience on this trip instead of the Dining Plan. The two of us were able to enjoy different meals and experiences without breaking the bank.

No pictures flying down, I was told that is only cute when the kids are with us.

Checkin was not a fun experience. We attempted the online checkin, but due to our late landing (10:30pm) and the later DME to Contemporary, there was only 1 cast member checking in guests around midnight. We eventually made it to our room around 1am.

I have learned the TL readers like pictures of the room, so I shot as we walked in. We had an 8th floor room in the middle of the C looking at the lake, and down on the pool.

The walkway between BLT and the Contemporary offered some great pictures