Day Four – The Journey Home and Closing Thoughts

Monday morning, we all rolled out of bed around 8:30 a.m. and hurriedly packed the room up and started making the multiple trips to the truck to load everything. Breakfast in the food court on our way out (Kayna mistakenly put coffee instead of syrup on her pancakes – yeah, don’t ask – I have no idea how she confused the two), and then a quick stop by the arcade.  As a part of our package, we had 100 free tokens to use, so that meant one game each for the kids. Christian has just learned to play baseball this year, and never played an arcade came before – word to the wise: don’t give a 3 year old a hard ball for skee ball and let him do it himself.  Thank goodness the cage was not real glass, up top, because he threw a fast ball pitch right in the middle of the upper section.  After I caught my breath, and quickly looked around to see that we were the only ones in the Arcade that morning (thank goodness), Bop and I gave him quick skee ball lessons. He didn’t really get it, but still had fun trying J  The girls played a quick game of basketball. We said our goodbye’s to the beautiful Riverside resort and Mickey and headed home, leaving the purple signs behind, until next time.

Closing Thoughts

·         Magic Bands – We are big fans of the new Magic Bands. They are comfortable, waterproof, easy to use for both adults and children. Having your hands free while gathering food at the food court, walking through the parks and at entry, and late at night coming home to your resort hotel,  it is just touch Mickey to Mickey and you are done.

·         Fast Pass+ - Overall, we like the new system. I didn’t have to run across the park to grab a paper ticket (that I then had to keep up with) several times a day. I am a very scheduled person anyway, so pre-scheduling my fast passes was not a problem for our park touring life style. The week before we went, Disney added the ability to add a 4^th, and more FP after your original three had been used. I am sure that helped our experience be more positive since we took advantage of that. And we were able to get a headliner (Space Mtn) very late in the evening, so the strategy works well.  It would be nice if when park hopping, you didn’t have to use your original three FP all in one park before you could add another one.  Being able to get Kayna a FP for Tower of Terror would have been nice. Disney is still tweaking this system so perhaps they will add that ability. If so,  the FP+ would get a 10 in satisfaction from me.

·         At 62 and 56, bad knees and some arthritis, and blister prone feet (since I was a child), Dennis and I will do the parks differently from now on.  We will probably rent a scooter for at least part of the day.  I love Disney parks, so why subject my body to pain for days after, when it’s not necessary.  Also, when taking small children on an extra magic night scheduled day in the parks, it is worth it to go back to the resort for a few hours and nap. Trying to nap in the park, just didn’t work for us. I’ve tried it both ways, and getting out of the park, for just a little while, is totally worth it.

·         After a 17 hour day in the park, we will not drive all the way home the very next day – we needed a rest day, or at least just drive ½ way home, rest around a pool somewhere, and then drive home the next day.  Our schedule did not permit that this trip, but we will make sure it does next time before we commit to going at a particular time.

·         Port Orleans (Riverside and French Quarter) is a beautiful resort area and still one of my favorites.

·         Favorite Rides of the day for all of us:

Bop                 Buzz Lightyear

Nana                Space Mountain

Kayna              Space Mountain

Christian          Buzz Lightyear

Savannah         Little Mermaid, Under the Sea

·         The meal plan is totally worth it for the way we do Disney with kids. We always have at least one (1) character meal, and we like to take a break and have a nice sit down lunch and dinner. It puts a little sanity back in the day and slows us all down.  Plus, once I start vacation, I don’t have to worry about the cost of the meal, it is already paid for (to me that is a huge part of enjoying vacation).

So I guess it is Kelsi and Lauryn’s time, the next time Bop and Nana visit The World, probably in 2016.  But first, Dennis and Penni may do a honey moon do-over (couple trip) for our 40^th wedding anniversary next year ( hubby’s idea, and yes, I jumped at it).

That’s it for now –thank you for reading along.

Day Three (Part 3) Pirates or Swimming – it’s tomorrow

I met Bop and the kids in time to ride the Carrousel, choosing a horse beside Christian. Wow, where has the day gone? It’s after 8:15 p.m. now and time to head to dinner at The Plaza. We checked in at the podium and had about a 10 minute wait.  This is a cute, low key restaurant on main street with really good food. A little out of the main thoroughfare so, a quiet respite from the otherwise crowd-crazed day.  The kids all had chicken and fries, Bop – a cheeseburger and I had Tomato Soup and a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It was very good, and Christian even helped himself to some of my soup. 

Savannah is a little tired

that's better, all smiles while waiting on food

As we finished eating, the nighttime parade was starting, so Bop took the kids outside to watch while I paid the bill. Later, I joined them outside on the side street with a front on view of the castle, a perfect viewing spot for the fireworks.  There were a few small trees and a couple of table umbrella’s at the edge of our viewing area, but they were low enough not to block the fireworks.  There was a sitting wall we propped on, while we waited.   Then, the Fireworks Nazi showed up, a cast member who was a little too enthusiastic about enforcing the rules.  She paced back and forth, barking orders like a military operation, for any people walking through, it was “ move on through, don’t stop!” and for us, it was “ feet behind the white line, don’t stand on the wall,“ …. Over and over and over for about 20 minutes.  I realize she was just doing her job, but this is Disney, be happy, my goodness!!

The kids loved the fireworks, and Christian stood in the stroller for a good view. We saw Tinkerbell fly from the castle, I never get tired of seeing that.

Time for Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear.  Kayna and I had a blast and with our fast pass it was a walk on to the ride. On our way out through the gift shop, I picked up our portable charger, now fully charge. That is pretty cool.   We met Bop and Savannah, and Christian was now sound asleep in the stroller, he was done for the night.  I sat with him outside while Bop took Kayna and Savannah on Astro Orbiter.

It was now after 11:30 and we walked through Fantasy Land where Savannah, Kayna and I rode Dumbo (with no wait – gotta love “extra magic hours” nights). Then we headed to Adventure Land to ride Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride.  We were all thirsty and looking for a drink, even just water, after 11:30 proved to be a challenge. I guess no-one should be thirsty at midnight in the Magic Kingdom (LOL).  Finally, I found a gift shop still open that had bottled water and used our last two snack credits for that. When I came back out, Savannah was sound asleep in her side of the stroller, gone for the night.

Flying with Dumbo

My favorite pic of Savannah

Kayna and I rode the Magic Carpet Ride and she dared the camel to spit on her – he did, of course, (always does) and she loves that.  I had promised Kayna that I would ride Splash Mountain with her as the last ride of the night.  I didn’t want to walk around the park after midnight wet, so if we were going to ride, it would be the last one. So onward to The Mountain.  My knee has a bit of arthritis in it, and was killing me now, as well as my blistered feet, but I hobbled my way up the path (after swigging down 2 Advil).  As we got to the entrance of the ride, we were met by two cast members that said, “ if you are headed to Splash, it is closed for the night” -  Oh man, I walked all this way and now it’s closed (ok, I didn’t say that out loud, I was nice and just said, “thank you”)! But I wasn’t happy.  Hmmm, let’s see, maybe I can make this work for my aching knee and feet.  I turned to Kayna and said:

Nana “ I have a deal for you, you decide, ok? 

We can ride Pirates of the Caribbean as our last ride of the night since we go right by it on our way out”  or… we can go ahead and leave the park and when we get back to the resort, we put Christian and Savannah to bed, let Bop watch them, and I’ll go swimming with you (it’s 12:45 a.m. now).

Kayna  “ Swimming!”

Wow, that was easy, she didn’t even have to think about it.  So now, the long trek out of the park to the buses. Loading the bus with a double stroller and two sleeping kids took some strategy, but we made it.  I got Christian out of the stroller first, and Kayna went to grab seats on the bus, I laid Christian down propped against her lap, then exited the bus to go get Savannah.  I brought her on, all the while telling the bus driver,  “ My husband’s coming with the stroller, don’t leave him J “     He shook his head, and said, take your time.

We made it back to the resort, and were the last stop (several people got off at the wrong stop and had to get back on).   Kayna and I put on our swimsuits quickly and I hobbled out to the pool at 1:30 a.m.  The water was warm and felt great on my blistered feet.  We didn’t stay long and by 2:15 a.m. we were both saying goodnight to one another in the bed.

Day Three (Part 2) I’m late (almost) for a very important date – in the Beast Castle

 Transportation from one park to another should be simple – Disney has never agreed with this scientific fact, and thus begins our journey.  Bus from Hollywood Studio’s to Contemporary Resort, off bus, through hotel, find elevator to Monorail, Monorail (stopping at every resort on Bay Lake) and finally to the Magic Kingdom; wow, that took a while.  As soon as we stepped off the bus, we all heard the familiar, “Nana, I have to go…”   again. We quickly got through bag check-in, and Bop took care of renting a locker for our nighttime clothes bag, and told me to take Christian to the RR under the train bridge and entrance to Main Street.  So off we went, only that is not where the RR’s are located once inside the park, so hurriedly we set off to find them, and did, by City Hall.  Once finished, I sent Bop a text so he could meet us on the porch of City Hall. It took a while, but he finally found us and we walked towards the Castle.

The clock is ticking and I know that the Beauty and the Beast Castle is in Fantasy Land, but not sure where. Before the addition of the new phase, I could have walked through Fantasy Land with my eyes closed and taken us to any point. But everything looked different now, and even with a map, it was somewhat confusing.  We had a fast pass (a very hard pass to get) for lunch in the castle, to arrive between 1:20 and 1:50.  Passing in and out of Storybook circus along with hundreds of people, we finally realized the right path to the castle and arrived at 1:30.  The standby line was very long (people wait over three (3) hours to get in for lunch) but because I had the coveted fast pass, we checked in at the podium and were instructed to go right in J  There was a family at the podium right before us whose fast pass had not gotten recorded correctly and they were turned away because of not being on the list.  They had made changes after their initial signup on the internet (this is supposed to work, but I have read that many people lose their pass when making changes, so just a word of caution if you are going to book this fast pass – get it like you want it the first time and then leave it alone).

The details of this castle are amazing from the bridge over the mote, through the entry way with knights in armor. We had preordered our food on the internet site, so we just signed our receipt for the dining plan linked to our magic bands and walked into the ballroom and chose a table.  Savannah had fallen asleep before we entered the castle. I hated for her to miss this, and considered waking her up, so let her sleep while we waited on our food.  After about 5 minutes, our lunch was delivered from big rolling carts. Our magic bands acted as a GPS for the waiter’s and they knew exactly where to bring our order (kind of George Orwell’s 1984 like, but very cool). 

Nana – Croque Monsieur

Bop – Turkey Sandwich

Christian – Turkey Sandwich

Savannah – Turkey Sandwich

Kayna – Braised Pork, veggies and Potato’s  (maybe Disney really is magic because Kayna liked and ate the green beans – a miracle, if you know anything about her).

After eating, I woke Savannah, gently and slowly, and she loved that she was sitting in the ballroom.  The windows that surrounded the room looked out on a special scene (not the park) where it looked like nighttime and it was snowing; very magical.  She didn’t want to eat yet, since she was still sleepy, so I told her we would stop later and get her something to eat.  I did wake her up, afterall, so I thought getting her a meal of her choice later was only fair.

Ballroom in the Be Our Guest Dining Room

Savannah zzzzzzzz

Turkey Sandwich (Kids meal)

Once we left it was time for our first ride fast pass, Splash Mountain.  Savannah did not want to ride, and so I sent Bop, Kayna and Christian off to the mountain, while Savannah and I went to the Pinnochio Haus restaurant for her Chicken Caesar Salad.   Savannah and I made our way to Frontier Land to meet the rest of our group by the Mountain, but it was nearing 3:00 p.m. and we were caught in parade traffic, so we stopped on the bridge by Splash to wait, and then meet up with them after.

Side Note: The line to meet Anna and Elsa was over three (3) hours long today, so we did not even attempt, but they were near the front of the parade, so we got our glimpse here, with Olaf, of course.

Cinderella

Tiana

Anna and Elsa

Rapunzel (Bop's favorite princess - well besides me, his daughters and granddaughters)

Ariel

it's TINK

Mickey and Minnie

Once the parade was over, and our group was back together, it was time for our 2^nd fast pass to BTMRR (Thunder MT RailRoad).  Christian was NOT a fan of Splash Mtn after riding it, but agreed to ride BTMRR with me, and Savannah would ride with Bop.  With our Fast Pass, we had no wait time in line.  Ok, so Christian nor Savannah are fans of either of the fast mountain rides. No more for them, they will stick with the slow, fun rides. They were troopers though, and at least tried them.

Time for a break and lemonade slushies and popcorn. We had snack credits on our dining plan, so once again, just tapped my magic band and got our food. After a quick rest, it was time for our last pre-scheduled Fast Pass to Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid.  Christian made me promise that it was a “slow” ride before he would even consider riding it J  Remember this phrase, “ Take us back to where we were “?   We needed to go back near the Beast Castle, but Bop’s internal GPS was working fine and he led us right to the entrance.  Everyone loved the relaxing and cool ride. This is Savannah’s favorite ride.

Beast Castle

Cindy's Castle

After the ride and walking through the park some, it was time for another snack – this time: Milkshakes, Floats, and a Sprite (for Bop).  Delivering everyone’s drink to them as we sat on the wall around Fantasy Land, I had taken two sips from mine when Christian announced, “Nana, I gotta go RR…”   so, off we went.  All in all he has done so good with this, though. He is three (3) and so much excitement and different schedule and foods today and not one accident.  I’m not complaining – just my legs and feet (ha)!

It is about 6:00 p.m. now and everyone is really tired now, so time to visit “Hall of Presidents”, and grab a nap. There was about a 15 minute wait, so we walked around the lobby and Kayna took pictures. She loves history and while this attraction may totally bore most kids, she was really into it; made it much more fun.  One more trip to the RR while we waited (for Christian) and then enter into the large, cool, comfortable, dark room.  Well…. Scratch nap time, that didn’t work, the cool air gave the kids all a second wind and they were ready to go.  Ok – to Infinity and Beyond, it’s time to go ride Buzz Lightyear.  We all loved that ride and it became Christian’s favorite.

Hall of Presidents

George W's boots

A tired little boy (Christian)

Buzz Lightyear Lobby

Let's go for a ride

My feet are beginning to burn and hurt, and for the first time in forever, my knee started hurting, bad. Limping along we decided to split up, and Bop would take the kids on the Tea Cups and Carrousel, while I went to run a few errands:

1.      Our portable charger needed a re-charge as it was dead, so I took it to the Space Mountain Gift Shop in Tomorrow Land where they have a charging station (room for 9 devices, each in locked, individual, containers).  You swipe a credit card (no charge) to open and connect your device to the charger, then close and lock the container.  The credit card you used is the only way to open, so it is secure.  You then leave and come back whenever you are ready.

2.      A new phase of the Fast Pass + system that just started last week: now that we have used our original three pre-selected fast passes, I could get a fourth (4^th) one at a Kiosk.  I split our passes up this time and got FP for Space Mountain for Kayna and I, and everyone else would ride Buzz Lightyear with their new FP.  We got similar time slots, for right after the Fireworks, at 10:30 p.m.  Perfect timing.  Maybe this will redeem me a little for not riding Tower of Terror J 

Space Mtn

Day Three (Part 1) Take Me Back To Where We Were

Hollywood Studio’s

I woke up at 6:30 a.m. and quietly got up before everyone else. I love the divider curtain at Port Orleans Resorts, because I could pull the curtain, turn on the light and get dressed, brush my teeth, and finish getting ready without disturbing anyone else.  Dennis woke about 6:45 and got dressed and helped me get everything ready to wake the kids. Clothes laid out, shoes ready, hairbrush and toothbrush ready… time to wake up the kids.  Can’t believe I forgot to order a wake-up call from Mickey for the kids – but Saturday, Mickey and Minnie did call the room and leave a voice message for Christian, singing Happy Birthday to him – pretty special.  He made me play it over and over J

We woke them at 7:00 a.m. They were a little groggy, but once we said, it’s time to go meet Jake, Sophia and Doc McStuffins, little eyes popped right open with big grins.  Everyone ready by 7:30 and we left the room.  I stopped by the resort gift store for the Fat Pens, but they didn’t open until 8:00.   I dug through my bag and found three (3) regular pens and handed one to each child for their back pack – that would just have to do.  Maybe I could find one before breakfast at the park. We walked to the bus stop and once we boarded,  we completed their outfits with pirate bandana’s to match Jake and Izzy (Jake’s pirate friend).   Sad admission here that I had no idea how to tie on a bandana (I quickly learned from everyone around me, to fold it into a triangle first and then it would fit)  Ok – Christian’s is done J

Now, Izzy wears hers a little different and I had no idea on this one either.  A sweet lady sitting across from me with her child and husband, offered to come fix Savannah’s Izzy bandana.  What a lifesaver she was, and it looked great.  I was so thankful (and so was Savannah).  Kayna opted to not wear hers today.  The three kids all sported their new tee shirts for the special breakfast this morning.

Christian – Jake and the Neverland Pirates 

Savannah – Doc McStuffins 

Kayna – Anna and Elsa

We arrived at Hollywood Studios Park about 8:30 and quickly got a place in line for pre-opening breakfast reservations (meaning, if you did not have a breakfast reservation, the park did not officially open to guest until 9:00 a.m.).  While waiting in line, I spotted a sales stand with Fat Pens J  “ Three, please “   tapped my Magic Band to pay,  put pens in each bag and we were on our way!

Just a few steps from the entrance and to the left, I spotted our breakfast restaurant, “ Hollywood and Vine”. I checked in with the hostess on the large white porch, and she said it would only be a few minutes, and offered us a seat on the porch.  The kids ran to the large windows and saw Handy Manny walking by.  Christian had his nose pressed to the window, peering inside when he suddenly turned around to me with a huge smile and said, “ Nana, I saw Jake”!

Soon it was our turn, and we were seated in the first section near the back of the restaurant. As soon as we each were seated, Sophia the 1^st came by our table, with the usual routine, we pulled out autograph books (and our Fat Pens) for her to sign, and then snapped a picture.  Kayna was especially excited to meet Sophia, one of her new favorites at this breakfast.  Once she left the waiter took our drink order and we helped ourselves to the large and quite yummy buffet.  Everyone ate good, even with all the excitement.  The first trip through the line, I only got 1 piece of sausage (it was a big piece) for Christian – within five minutes, he was asking for more.  He was hungry this morning, which was a good thing, because it was going to be a long day. Soon, Handy Manny came by, then Jake. Christian was so excited, and Kelsi had asked us to get her an autograph of her brother’s hero, too, so Bop turned another page in Christian’s book after the first autograph and he signed again for Kelsi.  Since Christian can’t read yet, I will divulge a surprise here.  I brought along a birthday card that I had bought at home with Jake and the Neverland Pirates on it, and  had Jake sign it (without Christian seeing it).  I am going to give it to him at his birthday party on May 18^th (his actual birthday).

Last, but not least, the character that Savannah had been waiting on, Doc McStuffins stopped by – great interaction with her as she signed autographs and posed for pictures.  A successful breakfast with characters, one of the best, and food was good! Bop loved the pastries.

Sophia Signing Savannah's book

a pose with Sophia

uh oh Handy is quishing Christian :)

It's almost our turn for Jake

A pose with Jake

The Doc (McStuffins) is in! 

As we left (and actually since we walked into the park), Kayna had her eye on Tower of Terror. I didn’t have a fast pass for it and knew the line would be terribly long and we were on a tight schedule in this park. Bop and I ride most rides, but not this one. She didn’t care, announcing that if we had time, she would surely ride it by herself.  I kept telling her that once we finished the other two items on our schedule for Hollywood Studio’s, that we would check the line and see if we had time.  We ran out of time, and I never even got to check…. guess I owe her another trip so she can ride.  Of course, she kept making fun of the way I pronounced “Terror”.  She said I pronounced it like the Gone with the Wind Mansion “ Tara “ ,  and she claims it is “ Terrer” – realistically, it is probably somewhere in between.   I hear you all saying it under your breath out there – so how do you pronounce it?

Now, how do we get to Disney Jr Live On Stage? I got a map and we walked one direction, passing the American Idol Studio, but then decided it was in the other direction, Dennis said something like, “ it’s back where we just came from “.   Soon, we found it, and were a little early, so Christian got his picture made with Jake again ( he waited a year for this visit – let’s get all we can out of it, right)?

Kayna on American Idol

Bop and his dream car

a hug for Jake

the Neverland boys

While waiting on Disney Jr Live On Stage, we parked the stroller and went to see Mickey Mouse, in the Animators building. Almost our turn, and once again Christian said…

Christian - “ Nana, I have to go…”  

Me – “ Can you wait, we are almost to Mickey Mouse, then we’ll go” ?

Christian “ Ok “

One minute later, he looked distressed

Christian “ No, I have to go now”

So off we went, and yes, we missed the Mouse.  The girls stayed and got their picture with him and autographs for them and one for Christian.

Mickey and the girls

Time now for Disney Live On Stage – A cute 22 minute puppet show, great for kids, but no real seats for adults L as seating is on the floor.

our spot on the floor

Savannah and Christian in the stroller

Kids with the man himself, Mr. Disney

Now, moving on, the last thing on our list is to see Lighting McQueen and Mater from “Cars”.  They are located by the Muppet Vision Ride on Streets of America. Dennis had said earlier, it was “back where we came from” – so when he asked “where to next”, I said,  “ back were we came from”…  so off we went, except we didn’t end up on the right street.

Nana “ this is not right”

Bop “ let me see a map, ok – it’s is way on the other side of the park”

Nana “ but you said take me back to where we were”

Bop “what” ?

Nana “ earlier you said this was located where we were before”

Anyway, as usual, I speak Venus and he speaks Mars and I admit I am directionally challenged.  We found it – that’s all that matters J

As we rounded the corner, Kayna spotted Phineas and Ferb, and then onto Lightening McQueen and Mater.  It had gotten hot,  so I got a couple of large cups of Free Ice Water from a stand nearby ( a very nice policy on Disney’s part – thank you).  The cold water refreshed us as we stood in a short line.  When Christian saw Mater, he grabbed his front tooth as he posed for the picture.  Later he told us, he really wanted to grab his tongue – (ha – that boy is too funny).

He has been watching “CARS” since he was about two years old (maybe younger) and it was his first glimpse of the wonderful world of Disney.

Checking the time, it was noon – so time to HOP to the Magic Kingdom (we have lunch reservations there). Sorry, Kayna bug, no time to even check on Tower of Tara or Terrer or Terror. I felt bad, but had bet her two million dollars that the line would be too long anyway.  I’ll get her back soon, and make it a priority for her to ride!

our bus stop for hopping to the MK

Christian's Jake shirt

Savannah's Doc McStuffin shirt

Kayna's silly selfie

Savannah's silly selfie

Kayna, again :)