Rides without Kids!

Ahhh - so we're back from our anniversary trip - no kids at Disney World! It was awesome. I recommend everyone take a trip without their kids at least once. The only time I got a little teary eyed about them not being there was while we were watching the Pixar parade at Hollywood. It was our first day and we weren't planning on catching any daytime parades, but our dinner reservation was for 3:30 and the parade route was right in front of our restaurant at 3:00 - so we watched - and we sort of wished the kids were there with us to see all the characters.

Anyway - this trip to Disney world we were able to focus on some of the bigger rides that we couldn't do when the kids were with us. (We could have done them, but I we didn't want to take up the time of having each of us ride the big rides alone while the kids waited.)

So... here we go:

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: I still love this ride. The music, the speed, the lights - it is awesome. We tackled this at 8:15 in the morning and I'm not so sure that's the best time to have your body thrown around like that - but either way - we enjoyed this ride!

Toy Story Mania - Still love it. With and without the kids it's a great ride. It was fun to ride it without the kids because I could focus on the game at hand (of course, Mike still kicked my butt.)

Space Mountain - ugh. No thanks. It was very jerky. It actually doesn't go too fast (you can tell by the seats - there's nothing right behind your head) - the effects are pretty cool, but it was a very jerky ride.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - pretty fun. Quinn did this ride awhile ago, but he didn't love it.

Splash Mountain - LOVED IT. This ride must be done at night. We could see the stars during most of it. I thought the boys would like this ride, but there's quite a few drops before you finally get to the big drop. Oh - but the view from the top of that big drop is AMAZING. Especially at night.

Mission Space - I'm glad we tested this ride out - We choose the less intense line (no spinning) and we loved it. Mike got a little dizzy, but he didn't need the barf bags they provide, so that's good. I thought it was a great ride and I know Quinn will love it.

so - that's it - the rides we were able to do without the kids. We did get on plenty of other rides. (We rode Jungle Cruise 4 times - that ride cracks me up.)

Totally Normal

This morning during breakfast Quinn and Liam were talking about Mike and I's upcoming trip to Disney World. They are beyond excited to be staying with their Grandma for five nights and the conversation we had this morning made it seem as though it was perfectly normal for parents to leave their kids at home and go to Disney World.

Q - You should take your Mickey Mouse cup to Disney World to show Mickey Mouse. I'm sure he'll like it.

L - You guys are going to Disney World when we go to Grandma's house?

Me - Yup.

L - Disney World is in Florida?

Me - Yup.

L - I'm going to Grandma's house?

Me - Yup.

Q and L - WooHoo! Grandma's house!

I'm so thankful for this - the guilt of leaving my boys behind while Mike and I tackle the World is starting to creep up on me and knowing they're going to be having fun with their grandma is going to make it just a little bit easier.

Also - I do have a trip planned in June for the boys - so we are talking about that too. As a matter of fact, Quinn has instructed me to ride Tower of Terror with Mike as many times as I want, because he is NOT going on that ride in June.

Disney Memories

So Disney recently announced it's next campaign, Let the Memories Begin. I have to admit memories of Disney World rank as my favorites. I had been meaning to put together a slide show of our most recent trip and I found myself with some time to do so this week....inspired by all the photos here
I created this.. Enjoy! And I started saving today for our next trip :)

The Guilt Trip

It's final. The flight is booked. The room reservations are made. The dining reservations are made.

We're going without the kids.

The flight - free with credit card miles!

The room - "free" thru our DVC point!

The dining - Not free at all, but I'm very excited about our choices!
Brown Derby for dinner before a Fantasmic Show
LeCellier for lunch
Marrakesh for dinner - something new for both of us!
Artist Point for dinner
Cape May - our only character meal for breakfast. We might skip this.

AND - I booked us a tour for Keys to the Kingdom with lunch at Columbia House.

It's different planning a trip without the kids.

And this guilt is wearing on me - I'm thinking of taking them in June...

Interview With Liam

I love the way he says "right here."

Interview with Daddy

Interview with Quinn

I love the way he says Disney World.

So far...

The plan:

Leave March 10th - return March 14th.

Stay at the Beach Club - haven't been there yet, close walk to EPCOT, nightlife on the Boardwalk...

Things we can't do when the kids are there:

Go para-sailing - Mike says he'll just watch!
Have lunch with an imagineer - Mike's pick.
Ride all the rollar coasters - I haven't tried Mount Everest yet. Also - I haven't tried Splash Mountain - so those are two must dos.

Places we want to eat at:

Le Cellier
California Grill
Narcoossee's
Artist Point
'Ohana
Mama Melrose


Too many places to choose from... we definitely want to try Le Cellier. And either California Grill or Narcoossee's. I think we'll save 'Ohana for when the family is there. Mama Melrose offers priority seating for Fantasmic, but I don't think we'll need that since when we're going isn't too busy. I think lunch with an imagineer is at the Brown Derby.

The Early Planning Stages

I swear one of my favorite things to do is plan out a WDW trip.

Where to stay? Where to eat?

The next trip we take will be something special. Just Mike and I going to celebrate 10 years of "happily ever after!"

So... where are we going to stay? Where are we going to eat? Are we going to go para-sailing? Have lunch with an imagineer?

All things I'm in the midst of planning - and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Rope Drop

A perfect Disney Day for me involves getting to the Magic Kingdom in time to see their rope drop ceremony. It brings tears to my eyes every time. Not only that, but then you're into the park before it gets crazy crowded and can ride so many rides in that first hour while other vacationers are sleeping in.

We were only able to make the rope drop once this trip (with three visits to the MK). Of course, one of those three visits we were in the park before it opened having breakfast with Chip, Dale, Pluto, and Minnie Mouse - so that's fun too.



Anyway - the ceremony is pretty neat and always involves a real live family. Like one they pick from people waiting around for the park to open. Could you imagine being that family? I think part of the reason the show brings tears to my eyes is because I am truly so happy for that family.

Of course - once the show is over they "drop the ropes" and let everyone into the Most Magical Place on Earth. And then, it's the walk up to the castle that gets me. And all the Cast Members standing outside their shops wishing everyone a "Good morning!" Oh! I just love it.


Oh - and all these pictures were taken with a disposable camera! I left the freshly charged camera battery at our hotel room. Could you imagine? A disposable camera? I think I did alright with it...

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Characters!

One of my favorite things to do at Walt Disney World is to meet the characters. I know it is hokey and I am too old, but I still love it! And I love the pictures! I love the interaction! Tinkerbell and the Fairies were HANDS DOWN THE BEST interaction this trip. Bravo to those cast members, I will never forget that one.

I don't mind waiting in a short line to see the kids come face to face with a favorite character and snapping a quick shot for the scrapbook. I never really understood the autograph thing, and actually wasn't real fond of the people that pushed their way in to get autographs... That was until I had 2 shy children. Now I get it, and now they make you wait in a line as well. It use to be that characters would just roam the parks with a handler, and subsequently get mobbed by people as excited as I was to see them.
The autograph thing helps both my children approach the characters and gives them something to say or do when they meet them, rather than stand there dumbfounded. Here are a few pics from our most recent meet!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Upcoming Trips...

March 2011 - 10 Year Anniversary Trip - just Mike and I - Bay Lake Towers - try parasailing! Eat at fancy restrauants.

Summer 2011 - family trip - Hilton Head? If there's enough points leftover for a short stay.

Oct 2012 - family trip - Bay Lake Towers or Wilderness Lodge - visit Mickey's Not So Scarey Halloween Party if it's still going on. Bring my parents with if they're healthy enough?

OR Spring break 2012 - Bay Lake Towers or Beach Club or Animal Kingdom Lodge

Epcot!

We found some wonderful surprises on this trip! We spent much more time in Epcot and enjoyed every minute of it. The park always seems less crowded or maybe there is more space to wander around. As a kid, I enjoyed the Future World portion of Epcot, but not so much the World Showcase. It has always been a great place to find characters without the long lines, but other than that--you walk thru...boring.

I was pleasantly surprised this trip to enjoy the World Showcase and happy that it was one of Emily's favorite experiences. We did the Kim Possible mission, and it was one of best things we did! Here are some pictures from our mission...



We also did the Kidcot stops as we wandered around the country pavilions. Emily was really into this as well and the kids both got a fun mask to bring home as a souvenir.




Oh, and it so happened that Emily was reading something in school and was able to comment on the country because she saw it at Epcot...who says Disney isn't educational?!? All in all it was a great day and a great way to end our trip!

Princesses

Dining with the princesses for breakfast in Norway...
more pictures...

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Quinn's favorite seemed to be Cinderella. He could barely look at her while talking to her, but had a huge smile on his face while watching her talk to Liam.

Ariel was funny - wanted to make sure Quinn was a "Good pirate" and asked to borrow Emily's "thing-a-ma-jig" (pen). She kept asking Quinn to explain how he flew to Florida.

Snow White was sweet and spent a lot of time talking to Liam and trying to make him more comfortable. For some reason, Liam kept saying he didn't like the princesses.

Sleeping Beauty - she seemed sort of ditsy to me, but she is Amy's favorite!

Who's Got the Ketchup?

One of my favorite meals at Disney World was at the Wilderness Lodge - at their Whispering Canyon. The big "skit" of the evening involved ketchup. Ask your waiter for some ketchup - the guys yells across the restaurant, "Hey - who's got the ketchup?" And from across the room someone would yell, "Who needs the ketchup?" And you'd have to wave them over. Then, all of a sudden your table is filled with ketchup brought to you by various kids throughout the place. Quinn thought it was hysterical the first time. Liam had so much fun, that after getting rid of our ketchup, he decided he needed more ketchup - and so we asked for more. And Liam waved the people over to our table to bring us more ketchup.

Also? The waiter offered Quinn a milkshake as part of his drink choices! A milkshake!? As a drink?! He was in heaven.

The kids also got to ride some wooden horses around the place and dance the hokey pokey. Somehow - we did manage to eat and the food was pretty good!

Of course, we've got pictures...

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Dear Ryan and Amy,

We had a lot of fun with you at Disney World.

Please buy into the Disney Vacation Club so we can do it all the time.

Thanks,
Cathy and Mike

Our First Day

We were, thankfully, able to leave Chicago right at the start of a huge snowstorm. I was nervous - to say the least.

We landed in Orlando and it was raining.

That didn't stop us.

We checked into our hotel, left our winter coats with Bell Services and headed to the Magic Kingdom.

We arrived just in time to grab some hotdogs and see the 3:00 Parade.

We were all so excited. Standing in the rain. Waiting and watching for the parade to come...

and more pictures...

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The Music

This morning during my "Latin Fusion" cardio class - a song came on that reminded me of the music used during the Illuminations show at EPCOT every night.

Friday afternoon at work we had some traditional Native America dancers/drummers perform for the school - they were amazing. My favorite thing about live music is actually being able to feel the music in your body.

If my memory is correct, I was able to feel the music a year and a half ago at EPCOT. It may not have been "live", but I can promise it was amazing.

I cannot wait to hear it again.

Where's the Bathroom?

Over my Christmas Break I potty-trained Liam.

It went well. Way better than I expected.

But now? Oh gosh...

We went out to dinner the other night. Liam asked to go to the bathroom at least 6 times until he finally pooped. I almost didn't take him that last time, but then he started crying/screaming, "poop! poop!"

While we were watching the Princess and the Frog Liam went to the bathroom at least 4 times - somehow managing to pee each time.

We were at the dentist today. Two trips to the bathroom.

Whenever we go to any store the first thing he says is, "I go potty."

I'm thinking conquering Disney World would have been easier in diapers for this guy.

49 days

What's left to do?

Our last trip, our first trip as a family, I was busy busy busy getting things ready. Things that we probably didn't need, but were fun, either way.

Now? What to do?

Our park tickets arrived, hotel reservations made, dining reservations, what parks/which days figured out, flight arranged, Magical Express is all set up...

I'm not going crazy with matching outfits this time - the boys did get one new shirt each. We've got Mickey hoodies that will fit them just fine. I'm not planning their clothes, really, until it's closer and I can see the weather forecast.

Last time, we did goody bags. Mickey, or one of his friends, would leave a little bag in the room for the boys to open in the morning. As if they needed something else to be excited about, but it was fun. I'm not doing that again. Mickey will send a package (new shirts and a countdown chain) after Christmas with a letter saying how excited he is we're coming back and maybe explaining that goodies are given every day only to those who are there for the first time. But, more importantly Mickey will let Quinn know that Emily will be joining us on this trip. That news, will have Quinn jumping up and down - I promise you.

So... no goody bags, no more t-shirts/shopping... hmmmm...