Denise & Family - January 2008

Cast: DH, DS (6 year old twins), Sister, B-in-Law and nephew (2).
Date: January 19 - 26, 2008

We arrived Saturday, January 19 to POFQ. I was so excited for this trip, been counting the days and planning since our trip the same week last year. Being so hyped up, I was a little dissapointed to have a ho-hum CM check us in, and the CM I saw for dining reservations was down right nasty. I would have complained but didn't want to start the trip off on a bad note already! But another CM was great and got pins out of my kids favorites (Stitch and ChipnDale) for them to trade (their first time with pins, they loved them!).

Really happy FQ, it is small so its a quick walk to the bus, food, pool, etc. We were in building 5, on the 1st floor. I loved the curtained area to get dressed in the morning without waking everyone else, and there seemed that we had so much more space than Pop that we stayed in last year (although I thought it was great for the price!). ME took 4 hours to get us our luggage, thankfully we had packed clothes for our Grand Floridian photo shoot that afternoon. We spent 40 minutes for 2 families for the photo shoot. Was not impressed, I am very picky about photos, but there was no attention to detail. Out of 100 photos there are only a few my sis and I like. Oh well, was going to buy a CD anyway!

Incredible dinner at Il Milano (Swan). Everyone's food was delicious and even though the restaurant was packed we had two servers (they work in teams) to our table. I thought we were their only table that is how attentive they were. My son fell asleep at the table (first day of the trip!) and they put chairs together for him and covered him in napkins as a blanket! My nephew was using his new pirate gun to shoot everyone in sight and the waiter kept acting like he was hit and wounded. Best meal of the trip!

On Sunday we went to HS, much more crowded than it was last year but we had a great day with TGMike's tips. His info was priceless this whole trip!!! One of my sons was picked for Jedi training, which he loved but he was too scared to battle Darth Vader in the end! If you are going, get their 1/2 hour early, 15-20 minutes is not early enough. He also had on a Star Wars shirt which helped. The kids and parents were really pushing to get picked, we really had to stake our spot out! We rode RNR for the first time as it was closed last year. I was so scared I couldn't even scream! Had lots of interactions with the characters for the parade, I had tears most of the time! Cali Grill for dinner, I was sick and didn't go but the others said it was just OK.

Monday we hung out until about 5 and headed to the first Pirate and Princess. It was a great time! Easy to get on rides, fun characters all dressed up and the parade was incredible. The fireworks were unreal and although we didn't arrive really early, we got a spot right in front of the castle with lots of space around us. We sat there in awe and my b-in-law said "What is better than this right now?" It was truly magical! Jack Sparrow looked great, and the setting is cool but he was a dud. He barely said a word to any of us, in fact I don't know if he said anything. We were all disappointed he didn't really ham it up like Jack Sparrow. We left around 1, following some shopping on Main St.

Tuesday headed to AK. Had another great day with the TGM advice, but missed alot b/c we had a late start after the late night before. Happened upon the acrobats from Africa at Tusker who were really cool. That is why I love Disney, I just sat down to have a pina colada and a second later there is a show going on in front of me. There is always something to do, even when you think there is nothing! We had arrived early for the parade and stood in front of a stand, the CM there told me about the place to get a drink. I offered to get her one, but she declined. While I was at Tusker she told my sis she was going to try to get us to be VIPs for the parade. She left and the next thing we new my b-in-law said "there she is with someone that has lots of pins and a walkie talkie!" They took us to a spot on the bridge with this HUGE roped off area that was all for us. You would have thought we won the lottery! We kept on saying "We're VIPS". Funny, I told people in the "real world" today about our VIP experience and they just look at me strangely! But it was cool, every character and animal thing walked over to the kids to say hi! Went to Jiko for dinner, good filet but the atmosphere was sort of lacking something. Not bad but I don't think I would go back.

Wed we went to Epcot Future World. Went on Test Track and Soaring a bunch of times. I have decided I only like being on the top at Soaring, I find those dangling feet to distracting! Had lunch at Coral Reef which was good and fun for the kids. Dinner at San Angel in Mexico. It was good, typical Mexican food. We did do the dining plan this year, which I have to say was a pain. I loved it last year, but now with the tip being seperate there is always another check to wait for after you get your original check. And although 18% is a generous tip, I always felt guilty writing 0 in the tip column when they ask for an additional tip. Anyhow, I was a big fan but I don't think I will do it again too confusing and time consuming. Went on Spaceship Earth before we left, no wait at all. I cannot remember the old ride at all, but it was interesting and the kids loved seeing their photos superimposed on a rocket ship and in a spacesuit!

Thurs headed to Epcot World Showcase. Went to the Disney Visa photo greet, it was awesome! Had Mickey, Minnie, Goofy all to ourselves. We did not feel rushed and didn't wait that long. The free photo was just a bonus on top of this great experience! We tried the beer in every country routine, my sis and I made it to 3. We stopped in the UK. I was sitting in Alice in Wonderland's chair (didn't know it at the time) with a beer and met poor Alice with beer breath! The men made it to 6 countries, next year we said we will try desserts around the world instead! Had dinner at Garden Grill around 5:15, it was OK. The characters were very rushed. Last year we went at an odd time (around 3) and we had them basically to ourselves.

Friday headed to MK. Hit Dumbo and then Pooh, where we walked off and got Dream Fast passes for all 7 of us! We were so excited we were crying! It was the best feeling walking around with those on our chest! Once again, no one in the real world seems to really understand this excitement but I know some of you will! Went on a ton of rides and got to see Spectro for the first time. I had not planned to go, but walked off BTMRR and was right at the rope at starting time, so we figured it was meant to be. I'm glad we did see it, it was incredible. My son, who is very scared of everything and has been talking about the tunnel in Jungle Cruise for months, got chosen to be the skipper on the cruise. He got to drive the boat through his dreaded tunnel! He was so proud of his little certificate they gave him! Ended the night with fireworks that we watched from Toontown after we rode the Barnstormer for the last time. We were standing in front of Minnies House and my son said "Mommy, Minnie is so lucky, she gets to see the fireworks everynight from her house!"

We headed back Saturday after a magical week of fun! The boys loved doing the pin trading and even got a set of the Tinkerbell pins from a CM, one to keep and one to give. My one son gave his to a girl that lost her tooth on the bus ride home from MK. I did LOTS of planning for this trip, but it was well worth it. It was perfect! My favorite tip was to bring a shoe storage bag to hang with toiletries. It really helped keep everything in order, saved space and helped the kids find their stuff. Thank you for helping to make it such a great time for my family!