LAST DAY--CHECK OUT, WILDERNESS LODGE AND GRAND FLORIDIAN

Even our last day was busy----we got up and checked out then headed for Whispering Canyon for breakfast. Very yummy, but I was disappointed in out waitress. The lady who had the tables next to us was hysterical...but ours disappeared for a long time and then she just had no personality. Kyle had fun w/ the stick horse parade though, and we enjoyed ourselves watching the other tables getting picked on.
After breakfast, we headed over to GF for pictures. Since we prebought the photopass cd, we could get the portraits for $25 more and we hadn't had a family picture taken since Kyle was a baby so we decided to get pictures taken. We haven't ordered our cd yet....that's on the agenda this weekend, but we ended up w/ over 325 pictures. Some of them are duplicates, and the kids did get tired of taking them, but eventually they were on the lookout for photographers also.
It was definitely a memorable trip, and we're all ready to go back again SOON.....right now, I'm trying to figure out the finances so we can be DVC members....that's my goal!!!!

Boys' Choice---Epcot

The original plan was to go to MGM in the morning and then head over to Epcot, but when they got up, they decided to only do Epcot. They slept in a bit, so we grabbed pop tarts, filled our cups at the food court, and took off for Epcot.
People were crazy that day---it took us 4 trams before we all got to the front gate. People were piling in w/ 8 and 10 in a row and the driver had to wait for people to get off, then they pushed other people out of the way to get on. Definitely not in the Disney Spirit. Sad.We got some more photopass pictures taken while we waited for Eddie to get in the park.
Then we headed for Test Track. While the boys rode it, I went to Soarin and got 2 Fp and to Mission Space and got 2. Soarin was already in the afternoon, w/ a 90 min wait, so needless to say, we didn't ride it that day...only the boys.
There was a 30 min wait for Nemo, so we rode that and then went to Turtle Talk. I was kinda disappointed because there really wasn't a lot of interaction...but that's because everyone seemed too shy to say anything. After that we headed for the World Showcase.....we saw O Canada! and then ran into the Brother Bears. The boys loved the red telephone booths, so we got their pictures in that. Then we went to England.....and saw Alice! I was excited, but she was getting ready to leave so I got a picture, but couldn't go up to "meet" her or get a picture together.
Then Eddie went back to Refreshment Port to get the boys McDs while I got us fish and chips. yummmo! the fish was so good.
Then we split up.....I stayed in WS while Eddie took the boys to MS and TT. I had about 2 hrs to wander around by myself!!! I loved it! I went to France and bought the boys coins from each of the countries---they thought those were really cool! In Morocco, I saw Jasmine and Genie.I took pictures of Snow White and Dopey in Germany. And then I went to Norway, picked up FP for the Maelstrom and got some yummy lefse in the bakery. I grew up in a predominantly Norwegian community and hadn't had kringla or lefse in years!
By then Eddie called---they were in Club Cool (again!!) so I headed over there to meet them.
We took more pictures, then headed over to Honey I shrunk the Audience. Before we went in we saw Figment, so the boys got their pictures taken w/ him and got his autograph. I HATED Honey I shrunk the Audience!!! I won't give it away, but I have too vivid an imagination and it felt REAL.
Next a few more pictures and then we headed to Maelstrom. I introduced the boys to lefse--they weren't impressed. We wandered around WS then, looking for something different and yummy to eat. I wanted Italian, but there's not a CS place there. How silly is that??? I would think that would be quite popular. Trey got a hot dog in America, we stood watching Rita Moreno doing the Candlelight Processional for a while, then headed on to France, where Eddie got the ham and Cheese croissant w/ strawberry tart and I got the quiche and creme brulee, which was ok but not that great. I have to admit I was disappointed.
Kyle was collecting the kidcot things on the mask and it got broken, so he started over....Eddie went back the way we came and picked up the ones he's already gotten and the boys and I headed towards England to get that one and Canada. Kyle got frenchfries at Refreshment Port, Then we went back to finally use our Soarin FP before the fireworks. We decided to skip the fireworks if we could all get on Soarin, but there was a 130 min wait at that time! Insane! Eddie met us just as the boys got off Soarin so we decided to head back to the hotel so we could start packing up.
The next day was check out day, but we still had a couple things planned....

December 27---Cape May Breakfast and Magic Kingdom

Another Character Breakfast---I was beginning to get a little tired of the Character meals, although the food was very very good. Cape May was delicious though. We were running a little late that morning and then had a hard time finding the place so we were about 5 minutes past our ADR time when we got there. We had to wait about 10 minutes, so we wandered around the lobby for a while. The Chocolate carousel was so cool....Trey kept looking for the hidden Mickeys on it. We found one but I'm sure there were more. Once we got called, the food was delicious and the characters were great. Chip and Minnie were probably the most fun.
As we were leaving, we saw a wedding party getting pictures taken in the lobby. It was amazing how many weddings were happening while we were there.
Then we were off to Magic Kingdom for the first time in daylight. When we got to the TTC the CM said the ferry was about 15 min shorter than the monorail----no brainer: we took the ferry. I got some pictures of the castle, including some with fireworks---I guess we saw the opening???
We first took the train around to Toontown. We got off and the boys weren't really interested in seeing Mickey or Minnie's houses so they headed over to Goofy's Barnstormin and rode that.

From there, they headed over to the Indy cars and rode them, while I went to Buzz Lightyear and got FPs. Then we wandered over to the castle and got pictures taken. We could finally go through the castle--everytime we were there before, it was roped off because it was time for a show. Trey tried his hand at the Sword in the Stone. It didn't come out and they don't believe me that it sometimes does.
We went to see Philharmagic then headed back to Tomorrow land and did Buzz, and got another set of FP for later in the evening. I'm not sure what order things came in but we drove the Indy cars again, rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and watched the Night Before Christmas Show. Somewhere in there, we saw Buzz, but he was leaving so we couldn't get the boys' picture taken w/ him. I did get pictures though. After using our FP for Buzz, we separated.
Kyle and I were going to ride the Indy cars while Eddie and Trey headed to the Thunder Mountain RR. (We'd gotten FP earlier in the day). Kyle decided he didn't want to ride anything so we went to Toon town to play in the little playground there.
Eddie and Trey rode BTMR and had 2 more FP to use to ride a 2nd time, but Trey didn't really like it so Eddie rode it 2 more times by himself. We were supposed to meet them at Pecos Bills for a late dinner, but we got caught by the parade and it was HORRIBLE trying to get back over there. We finally made it to PB and had wonderful cheeseburgers.
Then we headed towards Adventureland to try to do POTC again. We turned the wrong way somehow, and never passed it, but Kyle was insisting he was not going to ride it anyway, so it was no big deal. We stopped by Aloha Isle and got one last Dole Whip before heading for home.
Eddie & Trey headed to Tomorrowland so Trey could ride Buzz one last time while Kyle and I headed for the exit. Before we got out of the front gates, he'd fallen asleep and stayed that way all the way to the hotel, not even waking up when we picked him up to get on the tram or in the car. NEXT--Our last day in the parks---Boys' Choice...Where would they choose?

DECEMBER 26---OHANA BREAKFAST AND ANIMAL KINGDOM

This morning we headed to the Polynesian for Breakfast w/ Lilo and Stitch. The juice was absolutely delicious! I don't normally drink juice but had 3 glasses! The fresh fruit and Hawaiian bread was great too. The boys liked the Mickey waffles and got everyone's autographs. Lilo was taking surf lessons so Goofy came in her place, which I was disappointed about but the boys didn't seem to care. There was great interaction w/ the characters, especially Pluto and Goofy. Kyle participated in the parade and played the maracas.
Then it was off to Animal Kingdom.....we did Photopass pictures and then we split up....Eddie and Trey headed to Expedition Everest while Kyle and I went to Camp Minnie Mickey and did the character greets...well actually all we saw was Goofy Santa...Kyle had seen so many characters at meals that he was losing interest in seeing the same characters all the time. So we headed to Africa and Kyle played the bongos while we waited for Eddie and Trey to join us. We saw Baloo and King Louie, got FP for the safari and took the train to Rafiki's Conservation Station. There we saw Rafiki and Pocahontas but of course the boys didn't care about her so they just got their picture taken w/ Rafiki and then we headed back for our safari....
We went right around lunchtime, so I was surprised at how many animals we saw...... After the safari, we headed to Restaurantasaurus for the boys' lunch while Eddie and I got the ribs at Flame Tree BBQ. These were very yummy. As we passed EE, Eddie and Trey told me all about that ride....they liked it , but weren't ready to ride it again anytime soon. After lunch, the boys were ready to do something else so we headed to DownTown Disney.....
Kyle was in heaven at the Lego store! He got the container of Legos as well as 2 car/truck sets, which he's been playing with almost constantly since we've been home. Then we went to the toy store and he bought a box of potato head parts to play with as well. He and Trey had fun making several silly faces on them. Then he and Trey found the light saber display and decided to make those also. When they finished we went over to the Photopass place and had pictures of them 'fighting' added to our cd. Trey ended up using the rest of his souvenir money on an ESPN basketball. The boys got Disney Dollars for every A or B on their report cards all semester so they ended up w/ about $80. each to spend on whatever they wanted. They also got a couple gift cards for Christmas from grandparents and Santa as well. This worked out really well and we didn't have any whining or asking to buy, because they had their own money to spend....it also helped them to prioritize exactly what they wanted.
By this time it was dark and we got McDs for Kyle then headed back to Pop. Trey went swimming while Eddie and I ate dinner, then he grabbed a burger later. Our plan was to go back to MGM for EMH but we were all too tired and decided to take it easy and just rest for the evening instead.....it wasn't long until both boys were asleep....
Next......Cape May Breakfast and Magic Kingdom

Merry Christmas at Epcot

Christmas morning we got up early and again ate pop tarts in the room while the boys opened their stockings, and gifts from my parents and us---(Disney gc from grandparents and potato heads from us). Their main gift was this trip and they had a few other things waiting for them under the tree at home. They got a bunch of trading pins in their stockings as well as some Disney Dollars to use for their souvenirs.
We got to Epcot in time to be at the front of the line for the opening. That was cool---I was trying to get picked to be the family to open the park, but my kids were not very talkative to the CMs who came by to talk to us while we waited. They became more animated when the Test Track car came out but by that time they'd chosen their family. Oh well......
When the rope dropped, we headed to Soarin. I had to park the stroller, so Kyle and I got separated from the other 2 and never did find them. We got in line and had about a 20 min wait. Trey and Eddie had about a 10 min wait so they just wandered around checking out things in the area while they waited for us. We all LOVED this ride and got FP to ride it again later.
Then we headed to Test Track, used FP and rode it immediately. The wait was already 50 minutes by the time we got over there. The guys loved it---me not so much, We got the pictures added to our photopass and I looked quite windblown. LOL
We got FP for there also and then Eddie and Trey headed to Mission Space while Kyle and I went to the World Showcase. Kyle was hungry so he got chicken nuggets at Refreshment Port--a LOT of food for a CS meal---9 pc nuggets, lg fries, lg drink and a mcflurry. After he ate, Eddie and Trey met up with us, and Trey got the nugget meal also while Eddie and I got the Combo meal at San Angel. very yummy. Trey loved the churros--it was cool to see them trying new things.
After lunch, we did some shopping and I introduced them to Club Cool. I didn't like ANY of the drinks but the boys loved them ( except Beverly of course) I think they mixed a few and made their own drinks, and this was a place we hit a few more times while we here.
We wandered through Innoventions and Kyle did a few of the KIDCOT activities. Then we headed to Soarin to use our FP.
When we got off there, it was just about time for the next Jr Chef to start so the boys decided they wanted to do that. That was cute. It was nice to see Trey helping Kyle measure the ingredients---usually they're not so helpful or loving to each other----must have been that Disney magic at work! LOL Kyle absolutely LOVED this activity....

After we finished, we went upstairs to Garden Grill for our ADR---we had ressies for the Candlelight Processional afterwards. Garden Grill was nice---we had the BEST interaction w/ the characters here---esp Chip and Dale. The food was good---Kyle ate, which was great---he's my picky eater so I was concerned about what he would eat. Both boys got the make your own cupcake for dessert and had fun decorating and eating their creations. We didn't realize the restaurant moved....we were eating and I looked up and saw a mountain that I swore wasn't there before.....Eddie and Trey laughed at me until they realized that we HAD moved....that was pretty cool---to see the different scenes. Then it was on to the World Showcase to get in line for the Candlelight Processional..... Gary Sinise was the Guest Reader of the Christmas Story and it was WONDERFUL!!! I loved watching the lady doing the sign language---wow! she was so animated! Afterwards, we got photopass pictures taken in France then headed to the other side, got more photopass pics then headed to Test Track where the guys rode a couple more times. Then Trey got a snack and we headed for the hotel.
Next---Ohana Breakfast and Animal Kingdom!

DAY THREE~~CHRISTMAS EVE~~DVC AND POOH

After making our appointment, I called dh and told him what I had done....I'd gotten us 3 Fast Passes each to use whenever we wanted--alll we had to do was sit through an hour spiel on the DVC. There was child care/gameroom for the boys so even though Trey grumbled a bit, dh said ok and off we went to Saratoga Springs to tour the resort. We went through the models, and spoke w/ a wonderful sales rep. The rooms were beautiful and I could see us using them over and over for years to bring our boys and later our grandchildren. I was ready to sign right then and there of course, but knew that financially, the time just wasn't right for us. It was a great incentive and deal and we'll probably kick ourselves later, but with Trey's soccer expenses coming up, it's just not feasible. Some day though---we WILL be joining.
We ended our tour with ice cream and then headed out because we had ADRs at Crystal Palace for dinner. We took the Ferry over to MK instead of the monorail. It ended up being faster most of the week. We got to watch the castle lights come on from the boat, which was very pretty.
Crystal Palace was yummy, but very very crowded. I felt like we were practically sitting in the laps of the people at the next table. I'm not sure I'll go back there again. We saw the Pooh characters and the boys got all their autographs. Kyle joined in the parade around the restaurant w/ the characters---this surprised me. He volunteered to do that at every place they had the parades. He used to be too shy to ever do something like that. Kindergarten has brought him out of some of his shyness.
After dinner, we came out to Main Street just in time for Spectromagic and then headed to Tomorrowland. We were going to see Monsters Inc Laugh Floor and just as we sat down. Kyle needed to go to the bathroom, so he and I left. As we came out of the restroom, Wishes (fireworks) was starting, so we watched that and then met Eddie and Trey. We were near the Indy cars, so the guys rode that and it started raining so we headed back to the hotel.
The next day---Christmas at Epcot!

Christmas Eve Day---MGM

We started w/ poptarts in the room. We got the souvenir cups at POP so we grabbed a hot chocolate and then headed over to MGM. We planned on riding the bus but we'd just missed the bus and didn't feel like waiting for the next one so we decided to drive. We got there about 8:40 but MGM had EMH so we walked right in. The Photopass photographers took our pictures and then took special poses of the boys w/ high school musical basketballs. They turned out really cute. As soon as I get my cd I'll post them. We grabbed FP for the Indiana Jones Stunt show then headed to Star Tours. All 4 rode it the first time (NO WAIT!) and then Trey decided to ride it again. Then we headed on through the park---we saw Lightning McQueen and Mater so the boys stood in line for less than 5 minutes and got their pictures taken. Then we headed to the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground. Kyle LOVED this and wanted to go back to MGM just to play here. Then on to the Lights ,motors Action (?) Stunt show--- This was the boys' favorite thing at this park! Then we split up--Eddie and Trey headed back to Indiana Jones and Kyle & I were headed to Animation Station, but the way was closed because of the area where they're building Toy Story. So I stopped at the DVC booth to pick up a map and started talking to the rep. Next thing I knew I was making an appointment to talk to a DVC rep---now to convince DH and the boys that it would be worth leaving the park for a couple hours!

DAY TWO CONTINUED---WE MADE IT TO DISNEY!!

After leaving the Speedway, we grabbed some lunch (McD's for the boys, Burger King for us) and hit the road towards Orlando. I was worse than the boys---I wanted to get there NOW!
The boys looked at the park maps and planned their rides, then got out their journals to write about the Daytona part of their trip. Finally, I saw the signs ---- we made it!! Seeing the sign welcoming me to Walt Disney World fulfilled a life long dream----something I'd wanted to see since I was a little girl watching the Wonderful World of Disney on tv on Sunday nights. I got goose bumps just seeing it---it stirred Eddie too....neither one of us had ever been here before.
Then it was on to Pop Century. I checked us in and as I waited in line for the next CM, I got tears in my eyes. I'd worked so hard to get this planned and I so wanted this to be the most perfect week. Our room was ready so we went straight to our room--5109--first floor right in front of the little kiddie splash pool. We passed all these cute windows filled with Christmas lights and special towel animals. I never thought about bringing anything to decorate it for the week ----something I'll definitely think about doing next time.
I'd ordered Goody paks and instead of delivering them to the room, they just gave me the box when I checked in. So the boys opened the box as soon as we were settled. They were a HUGE hit---they used their bags all week, and I got a LOT of comments about them. It was nice to not have to carry their stuff all week too.
After we got settled, we headed to the Contemporary for dinner at Chef Mickeys. At first Kyle (my ultra-picky eater) wouldn't eat anything but a corn muffin w/ butter, but we threatened to go back to Texas the next morning if he didn't find something to eat, so he decided to try the mac and cheese and the pizza and surprisingly liked it. That's the only time we had any problem with him eating.....all week he ate like he hadn't eaten in weeks! LOL Guess it must have been all that exercise!
We saw Pluto, Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Minnie. The boys got all their autographs in their new books and took pictures with all of them.
After dinner, we headed to MK to see Wishes. We planned on taking the monorail, but it was 22 min to get there by rail and only 9 minutes to walk over so we walked. We'd brought a stroller for Kyle so he rode in style. lol
The castle was absolutely breathtaking and Eddie and I both cried during the fireworks. It was magical.
Then we walked around for a while---the crowd around the castle was horrendous, but once we got through, we were ok. We ended up near the Hall of Presidents so we decided to check it out. Since I'm a history teacher, I enjoyed it. Trey and Eddie are both history nerds too so they liked it. Kyle was bored so he climbed up on my lap and dozed off.
From there we wandered around some more, got our wristbands for EMH and came across POTC. Kyle didn't want to ride it so while Eddie and Trey rode, I called home so Kyle could tell his Gammy about WDW. There was no wait so as soon as they got off, Trey and I rode it while Eddie and Kyle watched some of Spectromagic.
Then we headed to Aloha Isle. Trey got a rootbeer float and Eddie and I shared the Dole whip. YUMMMY!
We headed back to the castle and got pictures taken. I had prepurchased the photopass cd, so I was on the lookout for photographers all week. We ended up with over 200 pictures so I don't think I did too badly. We then walked down Main St to head back to Pop.....it was snowing on Main Street!! how cool!
We took the monorail back to Contemporary and got our car to go home.

Day Two---Daytona Beach

It was still dark when I woke up so I went out on our balcony to watch the sun come up over the ocean. It was high tide and the waves were hitting the edge of the hotel swimming pool. The boys woke up around 7 and we went down to the pool area, took more pictures and then ate breakfast. The boys didn't want to walk on the beach, so they didn't actually TOUCH the ocean, but they did see it for the first time.

After we checked out, we headed to the Daytona Speedway. That was cool--Trey and Eddie drove the simulators w/ Kyle as the passenger. Trey and Kyle were part of the pit crew challenge and had the record of having the 2nd LONGEST time ever! Kyle loved watching Jeff Gordon's car come apart so that he could see all the different parts. I think he will end up being some kind of mechanical engineer when he grows up.

Next stop-------Pop Century and the REAL magic begins!!!


~*~*note*~*~ I don't have any of my pictures here at school, so I will add those tonight when I'm at home. :o)

Day One--Getting to Florida ( Or Are we there YET????)

Our plans & reality don't always match---
PLAN; a good night's sleep
REALITY: The boys got to bed around 11, Eddie went around 12 and I stayed up until we left, finishing up last minute things
PLAN: we were going to leave at 2
REALITY: we left at 3:15
PLAN: we were going to eat breakfast in New Orleans
REALITY: we stopped at a McDonalds in some small town west of Lafayette --

This was the LOOOOOOONGEST day! I didn't think we'd ever get to Florida, and when we did, we still had to drive clear across the width of the state to get to Daytona. We stopped at the Florida Visitor's Center in Pensacola and got free orange juice. Trey and Eddie had several samples.
We finally got to our hotel ( The Islander) in Daytona Beach right before 10 pm, got settled and then headed across the street to Denny's for a late supper. Then straight to bed because we were exhausted. By that time, I'd been up for 40+ hours and Eddie had only had a few hours sleep more. Definitely NOT the way to start a Disney vacation!

Telling the boys about the Surprise!!!!!

We kept this trip a secret from Trey and Kyle until the very last minute. This was soooooooooo hard for me to do, but worth it in the end. Their reactions were priceless.....I have video that I will need to add to this once I'm home and have it cut and uploaded so come back later to see their reactions.
Here is the letter we gave them to tell them they were going----

Have a Jolly Christmas boys....
Every year I pick a very special family who has truly shown the Christmas Spirit for a very special Christmas present. Of course before I give this gift, I have to talk to Mom and Dad and make sure it is alright, because this gift is so wonderful that i want to make sure that everyone can go.
This Christmas, I have chosen your family. Make sure all your bags are packed because Santa is sending you to Disney World and you leave in the morning! That's right, you are so special that Santa is sending you to see Mickey and his gang!Remember to love each other and be there for each other all year long. Merry Christmas!!
Stockings and candy canes,
Santa

Our Magical Journey

We just got back from a fun-filled visit to everyone's favorite mouse! It was each of our first time to be there and we definitely have some life-long memories. In the next few days I will post reports of our trip as well as pictures. Here is Cinderella's Castle, lit up for Christmas.