Sept/Oct 2011 Disney Trip - Day 4

So we finally made it! Today, Day 4, and we are at Hollywood Studios. The buses were running really slow this morning (we had to wait almost 35 minutes at our resort) which caused us to get to HS after 10:30am. Unfortunately, Jedi Training was already booked up for the whole day! Crazy, I know!!! But Kevin was OK....after we told him we would come back later in the week and try again. So today, it was all about fun....and Kevin getting to ride Rock N Roller coaster for the first time (:

A quick stop by Sci Fi to get our pic in the car!

(it was early...so no one was there)

So we headed over to Rock N Roller Coaster. None of us had ever rode it, so we had no idea what was in store for us. Man....is that thing FAST!!!

Kevin is so excited as we wait in line

I can't help but laugh at Ken's reaction in the back seat!

Yep, he thought it was FAST too...hahaha

Wow, that is a great ride! Kevin would have rode that over and over if we would have let him. But, the line kept getting longer and longer. So we grabbed FastPasses for later. We were really hungry, but decided to stop by Tower of Terror (before we ate, thank goodness). TOT is the only ride that really makes my stomach flip. But I love it anyway!

The photographer asked us to look scared

The lady sitting next to me (in the back row) kept grabbing my arm and screaming. I was laughing the whole time, my stomach never flipped out! Where's that lady when I need her the next time? Oh, and she kept apologizing, but wouldn't let go!

After TOT, we were walking by the Beauty and the Beast auditorium. We noticed that the show was getting ready to begin and we had never seen it. So we ran up and arrived just as the rope was dropping. We were able to get as close as possible (4th row center). But boy...was it HOT! I thought I was going to die in there! Thankfully, the show started and I forgot how hot I was. This was a great show! I can't believe we've missed this before.

After the show, we ran by and got a bite to eat. Kevin ate at Rosie's (they are so great with his food allergies) while Ken and I split a sandwich and cupcake at Starring Rolls. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of this wonderful cupcake. It was a Red Velvet with Cheesecake Icing! Oh...so good!

So, we headed out to walk off our new found cupcake love. That's when the weather took a turn for the worse. We were able to get FastPasses for Toy Story and then the bottom fell out. We made it over to Walt's One Man's Dream. It was closed last year, so this was also a new one for us. Wow! What a dreamer this man was....and he made his dream's come true too!

We then headed over to see what characters were out at the Art of Animation area. There were TONS of characters (due to the rain I guess).

First stop.....Pooh

Next....Ken had been looking for Pocahontas! He swears it was the same one from last year that kissed his autograph...yeah, keep dreaming!

Chip and Dale....they're so funny

Kevin panicked when he saw the Queen. He knew she was mean, so he decided to make her happy by bowing (yes, I know, it looks like he is stretching his legs), but it made her happy. She just hugged and hugged him. He even bowed after she autographed his book!

Then there was Captain Hook and Mr. Smee...

The Penguin from Mary Poppins...

And Mulan...

And last but not least...Mickey!

We also saw Stitch (but he wouldn't stand still) and some of the Little Einsteins

It was still pouring the rain, so we made it over to Toy Story. We just love this ride (but Daddy always beats us)! Afterwards, it was time for dinner. We had ressies at Sci Fi Dine In. We love the atmosphere, and the chefs always make a great meal for Kevin. Thankfully, the rain had slowed down some, so we made it across the park without being soaked! Even though we had ressies at 7pm, there was a HUGE wait. Everyone was trying to get in without ressies. We ended up walking around the gift shop attached to the restaurant (I think it is called Writer's Stop). We had never been in here before. It was a nice surprise as we found a lot of gifts and great bakery items too. Oh....they called our name....

Kevin and I enjoying the front seat and some great flicks

After dinner, the park had pretty much cleared out. So we walked over to Star Tours and rode it over and over again, and it was different each time!

Well, today is over, the park is closing. Time to head back to the resort.

Tomorrow, we are going to relax at the resort and then head to MNSSHP!

Sept/Oct 2011 Disney Trip - Day 3

Here we are at Day 3....at Animal Kingdom. I know there are a lot of people that don't care for AK as much as the other parks. But we love it here. We are such animal people, plus our son Kevin is a huge dinosaur nut! (Not to mention the incredible cupcakes we eat there) LOL

family photo time (:

Of course, the first ride we ever ride is the Safari. We could ride this all day, but Kevin really loves it! This time around, we were on the one where the bridge feels like it is collapsing. On our last ride of the day, didn't happen.

This rhino was having the best time rolling in the mud. Looks like he missed a spot, er stripe I mean. They were so close to the truck, it was scary. But I can agree that both the rides, first in the morning and last one before they close (which was at 5pm when we were there), the animals are most active.

We always head up to Rafiki's Watch. We usually see lots of characters, but this time, only Rafiki.

Kevin spots another Hidden Mickey

Kevin loves the petting zoo. He would spend all day out there brushing those goats! This one seemed to love all the attention too. The one in the back of the photo (on the right by the blue ropes) would not leave that salt lick for anything. It was a hot day though!

Don't ask me what this animal is. Some type of rodent that can jump REALLY far. But Kevin was so good during the show that they picked him to be the first in line. He was able to spend more time petting this creature and he received a cute pin too.

This is at the end of the day, during the celebration parade. Ken bought the hat (in the Dinosaur ride gift shop) because it had some unique pins on it. But guess who ended up wearing it most of the day? Any one ready for a safari? (:

Trying to get from AK to Wilderness Lodge proved CRAZY! Since the crowds were all leaving AK at the same time, the bus lines were horrible. We waited and waited to get on WL's bus, but after the second full bus pulled off, we got on the Contemporary bus, then took a boat ride over to WL. Got there just in time for dinner ressies. And, it was a nice day for a boat ride!

We love Whispering Canyon. Although Kevin doesn't participate in much of the kids activities (due to his food allergies), we always have a great time and a wonderful meal. They did mix up Kevin's order (they gave him fries instead of veges) which scared me to death since we didn't know if they were safe. Turns out they were and thus, this started a trend the rest of the vacation.....forget the veges, just give me french fries! Oh well, let him be a kid I guess.

So after dinner and some pin trading, we get on the boat and head over to MK. I just love MK at night. All the lights and decorations, it's just great! Of course, the first ride we hit is Space Mountain. Kevin could ride this all day. This trip, he also wanted to ride Stitch a lot. He's always loved Stitch, but I think in previous years, this ride scared him (when the lights go out and Stitch is jumping on every one's shoulders). Now, all Kevin does is laugh and laugh when it happens.

This year, since we preorderd the PhotoPass CD, I was constantly stopping us to grab pictures any where we could. This one may end up on our Christmas cards.

Well, day 3 down, so back to the resort we go. But one last photo before we leave.

Tomorrow.....Hollywood Studios!

Sept/Oct 2011 Disney Trip - Day 2

So, day 2 into our wonderful vacation. Wow....as I write this, it seems like forever since we were there. Why oh why does time fly when you are there, but draaaaaaag when you are home?

So we headed to Magic Kingdom. Ken wore his lovely Donald Duck hat (or as I refer to it, his Butt Duck hat). I have one too, but it was way too hot to have this thing on my head!

Riding Aladdin...so much fun!

We had an appointment that morning for Kevin's Pirate League transformation. He loves doing this, but with the heat and that greasy makeup, this may be the last year we do it. He's growing up so fast ): But, we'll see what next year holds. He loves the attention he gets, I don't think that will change.

Before.........and after

The Pirate League group after the parade

After Kevin's appointment, we headed over to Tortuga Tavern. We've never eaten here, as it always seems to be closed. The manager was great in fixing Kevin an allergy free burrito. Kevin says this place is a keeper. It's nice when he can get something safe to eat other than chicken nuggets. While we were eating, Ken spotted this Hidden Mickey in the floor....


So we hung around MK, and rode tons of rides. But boy was it HOT! By this time it was time for dinner. We always eat at Tony's Town Square. I know many people don't like this place, but we love it. Not only have we gotten good food and great service, but Kevin gets a chance to have Italian, and we all know that is nearly impossible for a child with milk and egg allergies.

Grilled Salmon with spaghetti and veges

We didn't stay too long after dinner. We were so worn out. But we were able to see the fireworks and the beautiful lightening on the castle. WOW... how some simple color changes can really make it look different...

Tomorrow.....off to Animal Kingdom!

Sept/Oct 2011 Disney Trip - Day 1

Ahhhh, going to Disney. The planning, the anticipation, the excitement. It really does make you feel like a kid again. Now that we are back, oh how I miss that feeling. But our 2012 trip is already in the works. Before long, there will be plenty to do and we can experience those feelings all over again.

As for this trip, this is how our Day 1 in WDW went:

We had officially kicked off this trip the day before (but driving on the interstate and staying in a hotel in Valdosta) just didn't seem to capture the true excitement of day 1. Our Disney trip begins the minute we drive under those wonderful arches and pull into our resort.

As last year, we decided we wanted to stay at Coronado Springs Resort again. We love this resort. Yes, many complain of it's large size and tons of walking, but we like that. Now, keeping that in mind, we had requested a room in the Cabanas section, but instead was placed in the Rancho section. Wow....now that's a walk to get anywhere except the Dig Site Pool! It was a beautiful area, but next year, we will again request Cabanas. It was a lot of walking to the main building, but this will not change our decision to stay here again. It is just beautiful here.

As part of my son's Disney Trip Surprise Bag, I included the 5th ed Hidden Mickey book to get him excited about looking for them. He became aware of this on our last trip, so I thought this may be fun to do while we are walking around or standing in line in the World. Before we walked in the doors to the resort, he yells out "Hidden Mickey"! And so, the search began.

This Hidden Mickey was located on the large wooden doors as you enter CSR

We had done online check in before we arrived, so checking in only took minutes. But we did receive a few nice surprises. The CM gave my husband and I some balloons for our anniversary and our son a balloon bear for his birthday. We also received a gift certificate to our resort bar for 2 complimentary glasses of champagne.

I just think the reception area at CSR is beautiful

(it's always that way the day you are checking in though)

Ken and Kevin taking a rest while I check in

(there is a hidden Mickey at this fountain too)

Some of the nice gifts we received when we checked in

We love the rooms here. Not only do they have Queen beds, but the sliding door partition to the bathroom is great. And, I love the way they are decorated...dark woods, aqua colors...almost spa like. Not to mention the area outside your room. Since we stayed in the Ranchos, the vegetation was a little different than the Cabanas. Not as tropical, but very desert.

In the room, Kevin spotted several "hidden Mickeys". After reading in his book, he has now determined that these are not "hidden" but merely "decorative Mickeys". Not bad for a 7 year old!

Top left: in the mirror around the sink / Top right: on the bedspread

Bottom left: on the neck roll / Bottom right: in the soap

We had family visiting Epcot when we arrived. So we were trying to get settled in quickly so we could head over and visit with them. The only problem we had, our refrigerator was making a horrible buzzing sound. So, after a call to the front desk, and then a visit from maintenance, we were finally on our way (maintenance changed the fridge and moved all our food for us to the new one while we were gone...and they arranged it in there a lot better than I did!). And, we were off to Epcot....

Kevin waiting on the Epcot bus...and he can't wait to see his cousins

It was raining a little, but the crowds seemed great

The first ride of the trip, Spaceship Earth.
Kevin loves this ride (rode it quite a bit this trip)

Before our dinner, we rode Nemo and then walked through the aquarium area. Here are some hidden Mickeys Kevin found.

For our first meal of the trip, we usually head over to Coral Reef. We love this restaurant. And this year, we were able to sit next to the aquarium. It was a whole new experience. And, we were a little nervous too. It had been a whole year since Kevin had eaten in a restaurant (due to his severe food allergies) so the view was very relaxing. The chef came out and spoke with us (isn't Disney wonderful) and Kevin chose the grilled salmon with rice. This was one time I didn't have to tell him to eat his food. He was done before we were!

For his dessert, Kevin got milk free ice cream with all the toppings, including a candle to help celebrate his upcoming 8th birthday. He was very excited!


After dinner, we finally got to meet up with our family after the fireworks. We had a great time, and it was wonderful to see them. We headed over to Mission:Space and then ended the night with them at, you guessed it, Spaceship Earth! They had to leave (they were headed home the next day). So we hung around Epcot until closing and just had fun. This was the start to a wonderful vacation.