Cast of Characters: myself & DH, 10 y/o DD (Miranda) & 4 y/o (Laken)

Sunday, 3/14 – Monday,3/15 – Days 1 ½

Leaving KC by car to drive to Orlando – 21 hour drive straight through.  Miranda & I have just returned home from a Girl Scout weekend trip to St. Louis by train – arrived back home 1 ½ hours late!  Left KC at 4:30 pm.  This is a surprise trip for the girls and they don’t know where we are heading – both are very excited!  DH & I took turns driving and sleeping, made stops for meals, gas & stretches along the way.  Miranda is mapping each stop to try to figure out where we are going.  Somewhere in GA, she thinks she’s figured it out and we confirm – we’re going to Disney!  We arrive at the Days Inn Maingate West at 4:00 pm.  With the time change, it was a 23 ½ hour drive with stops – not bad.  The girls did great!

Met with friends staying at Pop Century (family of 4, boy age 10 & girl age 6).  Their room looked exactly like the rooms we’ve stayed in at All Star Movies & All Star Sports.  We enjoyed exploring the grounds and telling our kids about some of the icons and had dinner with them in the food court.  They were in an 80’s building and it was quite a walk to the food court and main building.  I wouldn’t have been thrilled with the location if I were staying there.  The kids all took a dip in the pool while we moms kept an eye on them (dads were in the bar watching a game).  It was raining but no one cared- until I saw the lightening – then we got out of the pool and headed back to our “home building”.  This is what my 4 y/o calls a hotel when we’re on vacation.

This being our 3rd trip - overall we are planning on doing things we’ve never done in the parks before along with some favorites.

High Point:  We’re here!!

Low Point:  Don’t have one

Tuesday, 3/16 – Day 2

The Days Inn was fine for what we paid for – but nothing great.  The free continental breakfast was slim.  Toaster didn’t work and there was a huge sign stating that milk could only be used for cereal.  Cups provided for juice were the size of the bathroom Dixie cups.  But the food was fresh & good.

It was pouring down rain when we woke.  We took our time with breakfast and moving to The Nikki Bird Holiday Inn where we’ll be spending the rest of our stay.  Decided to head to Epcot despite the rain.  We’ll be meeting our friends later in the day (they have a different outlook on vacations – sleep in and head to a park whenever!).  We decided early on that we didn’t like wearing ponchos so we purchased jackets for DH & myself but couldn’t find any for the girls.  They decided on hats instead and if they got soaking wet we’d buy new outfits later in the day if needed (didn’t have to – whew!).  First thing we did was find our Leave A Legacy tile – very cool.

The girls wanted to hit Innoventions first so we went to the East building.  We saw Goofy in a space suit right outside the door and got his autograph.  We wanted to do the Wonders of Life building because we never have before but it was closed.  We decided not to eat a heavy lunch but share a bit from a couple of countries.  We shared a combo plate (and margaritas for mom & dad) in Mexico & later had egg rolls in China and chocolate covered strawberries in Italy.  DH & Miranda rode Maelstrom in Norway.  We pretty much just strolled our way through the countries and enjoyed the day – the rain was just off & on by this point.  We meet our friends at the Garden Grill in The Land at 3:00 for the Ice Cream Social.  Mickey Mouse, Pluto and Chip & Dale were in attendance.  We had a lot of fun with this.  The characters interacted well with the children & the dads.  I never knew the difference between Chip & Dale but figured it out here.  The ice cream sundaes were big but I didn't have any problem eating it all. BTW, this restaurant rotates around it's kitchen!!so the scenery changes and there is slight movement.  We all rode Living with the Land ride and saw HISTA in Imagination.  Dads and older kids were going to ride Test Track but the wait was too long and fast pass was too late.

At this point, we split from our friends to meet up again later.  They wanted to go through the countries which we had already done and our girls wanted to do Innoventions West (do you see a pattern here?)  We also went to Ice Station Cool to try some different sodas.  The girls found a couple of talking water fountains, which were fun, but never found a talking trash can.

By, 6:45 we were in the UK having fish & chips (one of our favorite meals in Epcot).  Had our friends meet us here.  We got a table on the terrace and were told that we could stay there for Illuminations but were later moved to the lower terrace for better viewing – we got a bench and waited it out.  We all just kind of came & went for the next 1 ½ hours – making sure there was always someone there to keep our seats – it worked out great and is the best place that I have ever had to see Illuminations.

High point:  Spending time with friends, Ice Cream Social

Low point:  Rain – but we didn’t let it get us down

Wednesday, 3/17 – Day 3

We’re now staying at The Nikki Bird Holiday Inn – with a kid’s suite.  Fun room and I love that the girls have their own space!  We had their breakfast buffet – kids eat free.  Magic Kingdom was very crowded today.  Okay, probably not so crowded for some – but having only been here in October – this was crowded for us!  We arrived just before 10:00 and took our time going down Main Street.  Bought candy and chocolate covered strawberries in the Candy Shop.  Stopped to listen to the ‘dance & music lessons’ but could not hear them because of the crowds.  We found the old phone in the Market House shop and listened to the conversation.

Adventureland: at 11:30 we got a Fast Pass for the Jungle Cruise it’s good from 12:45-1:45.  We rode Pirates of the Caribbean with only a 20 minute line and then I took Laken on the Magic Carpet ride (30 minute line) and then we had lunch at El Pirata Y el Perico – tacos & taco salad – good food.  Then used our FP for the Jungle Cruise.

Frontierland:  at 1-something we got a FP for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to be used from 5:45-6:45!  We rode a raft over to Tom Sawyer Island.  The girls looked for a paintbrush but never found one (probably too late in the day).  We all sat down to have ice cream at Aunt Polly’s – this was just after 3:00 and we got to see most of the parade from across the water – not a great view but a little treat since we aren’t planning on parades this trip.

Tomorrowland:  3:30 - FP for both Buzz Lightyear & Space Mountain were not out of the question.  This is about the time we decided we would come back to MK tomorrow instead of going to AK – just too much we’re not getting done because of the crowds (and our laid back attitude this trip).  Rode TTA and then met up with friends again (this is their last day) and just sat & people watched for awhile.  We were outside of Cosmic Rays and the kids went looking for a talking trash can – but couldn’t find one.  Said good-bye to our friends and headed for Fantasyland.  Saw Buzz on the way and stopped for an autograph & picture.

We stopped for Storytime with Belle – which was very fun.  Got pictures afterwards.  DH ran into someone he sees at his doctor’s when he goes in for allergy shots.  Stopped to see Cindy’s Surprise – but the show stopped about 15 minutes into it – couldn’t figure out why.  Rode BTMR with a 10 minute FP line wait.  What fun!  Even Laken liked it.

Before the ride I reached into my backpack/purse to change from my sunglasses to my glasses and oh no! my glasses were in pieces!  Lenses were popped out and frames all bent up.  So we headed to the front of the castle to find a spot for the parade and fireworks.  Saw Cindy’s Surprise – in it’s entirety this time – and grabbed a bench seat around the circle.  Then Miranda & I went to the Jewelry Store to seek help in fixing my glasses.  I ended up getting them put back together and they looked find but my view was more than a bit askewed – but I went carefully on my way.  We stopped at Casey’s to take hot dogs & fries back to our seats.  This was a great view for both SpectroMagic & Wishes!

High Point:  Wishes!  - I love this presentation

Low Point:  My glasses breaking!

Thursday, 3/18 – Day 4

Back to Magic Kingdom today.  We headed straight to Tomorrowland to get a FP for Space Mountain (at 10:30 the wait was already 1:55 for FP!)  We all rode Buzz Lightyear and then Miranda & I decided to go ahead and ride Space Mountain.  The wait time said 55 minutes but the whole thing including the ride ended up being only 45 minutes.  DH took Laken to ride TTA during this time.  BTW: You cannot take food or drinks into the line at Space Mountain – something to know when you’re expecting a hour wait so you get a drink but then can’t enter the building with it.  Lunch was at Cosmic Ray’s.  Then we saw PUSH the talking trash can.  What a blast!  I couldn’t find his operator but he could see everything!  He read Laken’s name tag and asked for a hug which she willingly gave – PUSH was fun – he told some other kid he was weird ‘cuz he didn’t like ice cream.  We headed to Tomorrowland for FP to Splash Mountain but by 1:15 it was a 90 minute wait or FP at 6:30 – hmmm – we didn’t want to wait so we’re saving that for another trip.  Went to see PhilharMagic – at 1:45 we got a FP for 2:35.  Spent some time at Ariel’s Grotto letting the girls get a bit wet while we waited.  We all love the 3-D movies so we enjoyed PhilharMagic. Then me & the girls rode the Tea Cups about a 15 minute line here (this was during parade time).  Headed to Toontown Fair to ride Goofy’s Barnstormer, walk through Mickey & Minnie’s houses and wait in line to see Cindy and the Mice.

Okay, we’ve had enough of lines & crowds so we’re taking out of the park early today to have dinner and pool time at the Holiday Inn.  Dinner was a story in itself – suffice it to say that kids don’t entirely eat free here – read the fine print for the Seafood Buffet.

High Point:  PUSH the talking trash can

Low Point:  Dinner at the Holiday Inn was very taxing for me.  If you want details you can ask me for them.

Friday, 3/19 – Day 5

Our last day.  Checked out of the Holiday Inn.  Went to MGG and headed straight for TOT, Miranda & I walked into the line (wait time said 55 minutes – only took 30).  During this time DH was to get FP for The Little Mermaid.  He did get them – but had to back track to Guest Relations because from the time that I handed him our park passes to the time he got to Little Mermaid – he had lost one!  They gave him absolutely no trouble about replacing it - he didn’t even have a copy of the cards or numbers or anything.  After TOT we all sat down and shared a couple of pastries and fruit then went to see The Little Mermaid show.  We enjoyed this show but I was not aware that you know get slightly wet in it.  DH convinced Miranda to ride the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster so they went to get a FP for that while I took Laken to the playground.  We stopped to see Mickey on the way.

We all met up and went to get Kermit, Miss Piggy, Buzz, Woody & Jesse autographs and pictures.  The Green Army men were hanging around having a good time with everyone.  **Pixie Dust** We saw a mom that had bought her son a bucket of army men for a surprise (he was in line for autographs) – one of the army men signed the bucket and then took it to him in line – the boy was so surprised and thought it was actually from the army man!  **Pixie Dust**  We had PS at Prime Time Café for 12:30 so we high-tailed it over there as to not get in trouble for being late to the table!  We love this place.  The food is great and the atmosphere fun!  Cousin Jenn was our waitress.  We all shared S’mores for dessert.

DH & Miranda headed to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster while Laken & I got FP for Indiana Jones and then went to see Playhouse Disney.  We got Hercules & Meg’s autographs on the way.  Playhouse was fun and we barely had time to meet up with DH & other DD and get to Indy on time – whew!  After Indy we walked right out and it was like 10 minutes to parade time with very few people lined up – so what the hey – we decided since we had a front row seat without waiting an hour we’d stay and watch.  This is such a fun parade – we were glad we stayed.  Went to see Muppets 3-D then headed over to get a seat for Fantasmic!.

We stopped for McD’s fries and turkey legs to take into the arena with us – this was our dinner.  Laken chatted it up with a young lady in front of us – made a fast friend.  Sweet teenager was friendly and patient and endured the fact that Laken took a liking to her – at least she wasn’t tired, crying or crabby.  Again, we just love this show.  And it was a great way to end our trip.

High Point:  Everything – this park was not over crowded – we even split up and found each other again without the use of radios or phones.

Low Point:  last day…..

General Comments:

This trip was very relaxed for us and fun.  We mainly wanted to do things we haven’t done before, a couple of favorites and the 3-D shows.  We pretty much accomplished it all.  Except, we did have to change our plans and didn’t see Animal Kingdom at all because Magic Kingdom was so busy we went back a 2nd day.

We only had one PS seating this trip.  Plus the Ice Cream Social.  That certainly left time open for us.  We love Prime Time Café in MGM Studios and this will always be a must for us.

We decided against using the shuttle from the Holiday Inn.  Time frames were too restricting in my opinion.  So we drove and paid for parking each day.  We actually felt this went much better when leaving at night then waiting on buses.  Especially after Illuminations or Wishes – which we waited for over an hour for a bus on our last trip.  By driving ourselves, we were out of the parking lot in no time!

We drove from KC – a long ride, yes, but sharing the driving time and driving through the night while the kids slept – it just wasn’t bad at all, IMO.  We were planning on stopping overnight on the way home – but hadn’t made reservations anywhere.  At 11:30 pm, we could not find any place in northern FL or southern GA that had a vacancy (except a Scottish Inn that was a joke) – we ended up sleeping at a rest stop for 4 hours then getting back on the road.

Considering we had just been to WDW in October, 2003 – I really didn’t think I’d take too many pictures this time – WRONG!  Besides my digital camera, I have 5 rolls of film to develop!

We decided that staying on site is a definite for future visits.  We just like it more.