We Can Fly, We Can Fly, We Can Fly......We Flew Trip Report About This Page:

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by DMA

Sound like a great day!

It was a great day, thanks.

Originally Posted by B.M.

Sounds like your trip is off to a great start! I've yet to visit Sea World, but it is something my oldest son really, really, really wants to do.... I just always find it difficult to fit into our schedule.... *How long of a drive is it to Sea World from the Disney value resorts (which is where we usually stay also)?

As I've already said, it's only about 10 minutes from the AS resorts to SW. If your son really, really, really wants to do this, then you can't let him see my TR because then he'll want to go even more . The trip was off to a rough start on Friday, but it did straighten out really quickly.

Originally Posted by Mom24Girls

Sounds like a good day! Great photos of the show at SW!! My hubby and I plan to go off-site to SW during our trip as well.

Thanks - I hope you enjoy your day at SW.

Originally Posted by KMB733

Sounds like you had a great day!

We did Kathy.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Sounds like a great day! We've still not played either mini golf course yet. I keep thinking next time because it does look fun in other's TRs.

We get to the mini golf because we make a point to get to it. Plus too for us, we go by Winter Summerland every single day on vacation as it's just down the street from the AS resorts so we can't help but remember all the time "oh yeah, we want to play."

Originally Posted by Wolfy6688

What a fun day!

In regular golf rules, everyone does take turns. Then whoever is closest to the hole goes next, until everyone finishes. But if the ball is so close to the hole like yours, people would just tap it in rather than wait for someone else's turn. I've always played mini golf by the same rules but I've seen a lot of people play your way, so I guess it's whatever works for each team. There aren't really "rules" so it wouldn't matter how anyone does it I guess.

I didn't know that mini golf was added. We've always wanted to try it but in the past we've only gotten the little voucher for a few dollars off. Now we'll have to make a point to go

For us, with Abby's Autism, letting her play through works for us. Since it was just me, it was my turn after her but whenever we play with more than just Abby and I, Abby plays her turn and then the adults play the "traditional" way taking turns and whoever is closest will go first.

Mini golf was added this year to the WP&M option but it has to be played before 4 pm.

Originally Posted by bsblady01

more please

Coming up soon

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by phoebec

Sounds like a great day!!! I am considering doing Sea World on our next trip, but since we are only there 8 days, not sure what to cut out since a water park is also on my agenda.
I'm glad mini golf went better than last time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks - it was a great day. It is hard to know what to cut from Disney for SW but since we were going for so long, we knew it wouldn't "hurt" too much to do SW again. I too am very happy mini golf went much better. Part of me felt bad leaving Lenny behind but it was a mutual decision, not me telling Lenny he couldn't play, so the other part of me was okay with it.

Originally Posted by omd

Wow another fun, busy day. You have some great pictures of SW. Abby is looking so grown up. I just love her smile. I hope that Lenny was starting to get less cranky.

Thanks Olive, it was. Abby is getting so grown up - I don't know where the time has gone. I too love those "natural" smiles and love to be able to post the pictures showing her with it versus the set up "forced" smile pictures I usually get. As for Lenny, yes he was much less cranky. I think he was just tired that morning when I woke him as he was fine the rest of the trip, not just the rest of the day.

Originally Posted by buzzspal2

Darlene, thanks for the review of the AOA food court. I thought about going there on my next trip.

You're welcome. I hope you enjoy going there. We'd go back to eat there on our next trip so I do recommend trying it.

Originally Posted by alexsmommy0412

What a great day! I loved all your sea world pictures. They make me want to take Alex there since he is showing interest in fish as he likes to call them. We stayed at AoA in December but never did try the food court. Can't wait to read more!

Glad you're enjoying all the pictures. If Alex is into "fish" it may be worth it to add a day if you're able. I can see how staying at AoA you never made it to the food court - most of the rooms are suites after all and if you have a fridge, cabinets and a microwave, you don't need to go there for everything. We only had a frige in our room so if we wanted anything hot, we had to go to the food court. I'm not complaining about that though - I don't even want to microwave food on vacation because I cook for a living now.

Originally Posted by mcc0313

What a great start to the day, we love the breakfast at O'Hana, sounds like a fun time with mini-golf.

This was the first time we've had the experience that other PPer's have. The last 3 times here were not good experience to the point I didn't even want to go back. Abby wanted to so I did it for her and I'm glad I took a chance on it again. Mini golf was fun too for a change.

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

laundry already? you just got there! Skip the cleaning, you're on vacation!

I skip cooking on vacation, not laundry. Besides, I learned early on if I do little loads, it doesn't cost me so much to do it (the bigger the load, the less it cleans, and the longer it takes to dry - sometimes up to 3 cycles ).

Originally Posted by LegoMom

LOVING all the pictures! You did a great job with those. Mini golf looks fun! We've never gotten over to play either course; just never seemed to be enough time. It's on my "to-do" for next time!

Great pics and description for AoA! I'd like to check that out too when I go. Looks so fun with the theming.

.

Thanks, I'm glad you love the pictures. I took so many this vacation that it was hard to choose what ones to include (happened last vacation too). With the 3 cameras we took, I ended up with over 1000 "keepers." AoA was fun to explore (even though we did very little) but we actually weren't thrilled with the resort itself. We like the doors opening to the outside versus inside so there was just something about it. It was cool to see but just not for us (and unfortunately that's the best way I can describe it for now).

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by taylan1

Great update! You managed to get a little bit of everything in this day. We play mini-golf the same way. Each of us plays through and then we move on to the next hole. So you are not the only ones who play that way, there are many of us out there.

Thanks - and it is nice to know we're not alone in playing this way. Lenny still thinks it's odd but when something works, you gotta stick with it.

Originally Posted by patclairesmom

What a great idea to play mini golf. I think we might add that to our trip.

Don't forget it's part of the WP&M tickets if you're planning on getting them for the water parks or DQ.

Originally Posted by kingfamily1129

Just found this TR! Looks like you all are enjoying ASMu. It's one of my favorite AS resorts. Sorry Lenny has been crabby hope he has a better time as your trip progresses. Looks like you all had a great time at SW and Abby looked like she really enjoyed herself Ohana is one of my families favorite breakfast spots as well! Can't wait to read more

We really enjoyed AS Music. We didn't explore it like we had planned on but there will definitely be another trip there when and if another trip happens. Lenny did get much better as far as crabbines - the first day was by far the worst though.

Originally Posted by num1DVCfan

Sounds like a great day!

It was, thanks

Originally Posted by lovewdw2

Darlene....Keep it coming! (I know you are wondering where my TR is... I hope to start working on it on Monday!)

Love the pics too! I am glad you squeezed the mini golf in.... I have played that one time with my boys when they younger and it was fun then. I guess I am a minority: I was taught by my Dad that each person takes a turn but you wait til everyone has hit their ball, before you hit it into the cup. Of course the one who's ball is closer goes first.

I like your version better! LOL : )

Thanks Kate. I know you have a lot on your plate right now so I know you'll do your TR when you get the chance. I'm glad you like the pictures but I hope you say the same about the pictures when I post the one with both of us in it. I too like our version of mini golf but I can play either or like I explained above.

Originally Posted by JoanneS

Looks like you're having fun! I can't believe how big Abby is! How tall is she?

We were having fun that day. Abby is almost as tall as me - and I'm about 5'7" I don't know if she'll get taller or not though as she is only 13.

Originally Posted by bluejn

can't wait to hear more

I'm planning on posting more tonight so stay tuned.

[Roxie2006]

We all really enjoy the Mini Golf there, too. It is a must on our first day. What a wonderful day at SW. Abby is growing up so fast. Glad to hear this day went well. Thank you for the tour of AOA. We will be staying on our Oct. 2014 Trip.

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by Roxie2006

We all really enjoy the Mini Golf there, too. It is a must on our first day. What a wonderful day at SW. Abby is growing up so fast. Glad to hear this day went well. Thank you for the tour of AOA. We will be staying on our Oct. 2014 Trip.

I do agree - Abby is growing up so fast on us. You're welcome for the small tour of AoA - I hope you enjoy it. We did have a great day at SW - both of them were for the most part.

[CinderAbby]

Monday morning, I was up at 6:30. Lenny and Abby were up soon after that. Today was our MK day and I wanted to be there for rope drop. I had brought some food stuff with us (Cheerios, Pop tarts) and I’m pretty sure Abby had the pop tarts but I don’t remember what Lenny and I did for breakfast . I probably had nothing as that’s my usual breakfast but I really don’t know what Lenny did - maybe he had pop tarts too. I do know we didn’t hit the food court and I’m pretty sure we didn’t hit McDonalds either. Regardless of what we did or didn’t do for breakfast, we made it to the MK just a few minutes after rope drop (close enough for me).

We went and got our new GAC and the CM said he was the one who issued our old one (I keep the GAC’s and then show it when we get a new one). If he was, that was cool but I have no idea. I see the CM’s in City Hall for only a couple of minutes so I wouldn’t remember him even the day after getting the GAC let alone 2 years later. We then got a couple of Photopass photos on Main Street and went right to Fantasyland.

I haven’t seen these vehicles in years. The firetruck was running too but I didn’t get a photo of it

For me, it was very strange to see Fantasyland with no Dumbo. It’s really like Fantasyland is a whole new area now. And the mine train ride? That thing is huge. It looks big in pictures but when you’re there, it’s even bigger. The scale IMO almost is too big for Fantasyland but we’ll see how it is when it’s finally finished.

After snapping some pictures, we decided to do Enchanted Tales with Belle. Lenny had to first transfer to a wheelchair (we were told there’s no room for ECV’s) and then we were told the FP+ entrance was not open and that we had to wait in the regular line. I was kind of surprised by that and wondered if we would be denied access to the FP+ line at other attractions. I didn’t worry about it though - I would have driven myself crazy if I did. Since the wait wasn’t bad - it was posted at 30 minutes - we got in line. The line wasn’t even at 30 minutes - it took us that long to get through the entire attraction. We like the details of the cottage, inside and out and the mirror effect? That was totally cool how that worked. I’m not giving anything away but you do have to see it. All I can say is that’s Disney for you. When we got to the part with the wardrobe and people were getting parts, I thought for sure Abby would want one but no, she stood back and just watched. Then we went into the library and the whole "show" was good. Lumiere is incredible, Belle did her part well and the kids picked were cute.

Abby was pointing out all the "hidden Mickey’s" in the window design

　
When we got in line for Enchanted Tales, there was no line at all for BoG. When we got out though, the line was already to the back of the bridge (close to Belle, not the castle). We got in line where a CM handed us a menu to look at. As I had read online at WDWmagic.com, many of the people ahead of us in line had large umbrellas to stand under for some shade. We lucked out in that we had shade from the part of the arch that was standing.

　

[CinderAbby]

The doors finally opened at 10:30 and the line was longer at that time - it was going towards the Village portion of New Fantasyland - so I was glad we got in line when we did.

When it was finally our turn, we were handed a rose and shown to a self serve kiosk. I really liked the fact that I could customize the sandwiches (I left everything off of Abby’s and some of the stuff off mine) but the screen was very time consuming. We decided to sit in the main ballroom (easier on Lenny as he didn’t have to walk so far - he parked his scooter to charge it) but we did eventually wander around. Disney did a phenomenal job in here. It really was like walking into the movie. The room with the music box - is it called the library or the rose gallery? - was okay but I wasn’t thrilled with it. The west wing was done very well with all the details but it was very dark in there (almost too dark for eating IMO). I was able to get a couple of pictures but my camera didn’t want to cooperate in BoG.

As for the food, we got 2 turkey sandwiches (one plain, one only with the sauce), a roast beef sandwich, 2 chocolate cream puffs and the strawberry cupcake. Everything was good but I much preferred Lenny’s sandwich to my own. Maybe it was the sauce or the fact that the turkey was warm. I’m not sure but while I ate it, it’s not something I’d get again. Abby ate hers well (it was plain - mine probably should have been too) and all the desserts disappeared. So from getting in line to getting our food, it only took 40 minutes. To eat and explore took another 40 so we finally left about 11:45. Yes, for a CS location, it took a while, but that was of our own choosing. We could have eaten and left but we wanted to explore. We enjoyed the ambience of it and really didn’t want to rush. We liked how the food got delivered - by CM’s with the covered rolling carts and on real plates - and we liked that we could get our own drinks. We would definitely eat here again.

On the way out of BoG, I noticed that people still had the umbrellas to use but now there was a rolling cart with cups and ice water at about the middle of the bridge for people to help themselves to. As I’ve mentioned, it was very hot this year and Disney obviously thinks of everything.

After lunch, we had to check out the village portion of New Fantasyland. We looked in the gift store then wandered through Gaston’s Tavern and then made it to Ariel.

I made us all get into one clamshell as I wanted both Lenny and I to experience Abby’s first time on this and boy was it a tight fit. Luckily, we didn’t need a shoehorn to get out of it. We liked the ride. It’s not the most sophisticated or complicated of storylines but it was enjoyable. I’m sure Disney could have done this so many ways but it’s definitely reminiscent of Peter Pan (simple ride, simple animatronics) and that’s still popular, especially with us, so I think Ariel will stick around for a long time.

[CinderAbby]

Abby wanted the Dumbo ride after Ariel. Lenny didn’t care about it so he went down the path from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland for a cigarette. On his way, he saw a Service Dog relief area. Abby and I rode the ride and it’s still Dumbo but I was so busy looking around at the "new" sites that I didn’t even notice if the other spinner was going at the same time as us. We got off Dumbo and headed to the new gift store to meet Lenny and to do some souvenir shopping.

This band was playing in front of the gift shop

I got some souvenirs, some bottles of soda and I even picked up a couple of Christmas gifts and had everything sent to package pickup (well not the sodas). We continued our tour of Fantasyland by hitting Small World where we sat in the front row of the boat and it made Lenny’s knee bother him even more. Then we went to Peter Pan where Lenny had to get off his scooter and then walk the length of the FP queue (we weren’t offered a wheelchair) which aggravated his knee even more . Needless to say, he wasn’t happy by this time because of the pain he was in (for those that can't read it, 7-8 is where I have Lenny listed). We next went to Philharmagic where we knew Lenny would be able to stay on the scooter and not aggravate his knee for a while.

By this time, it was getting late and I asked Abby what she wanted to do before heading out of the park for our 1900 PF dinner and she decided on Splash Mountain. We made our way there, got to the wheelchair entrance and waited there for a while - which wasn’t surprising to us.

A new picture of the "floating lights" and a bird house seen from the wheelchair entrance to Splash Mountain

What was surprising was when the family behind us sent a kid ahead to find out if they could go ahead since no one in their family had a wheelchair or scooter (they were right behind us so you could hear everything they were talking about). I thought that was rude but I did really well. I bit my tongue instead of telling the lady "you need to wait your turn just like the rest of us." The CM told the kid to go back to her place in line and wait there, almost giving the impression she would try and get them on, but she didn’t. The family waited their turn and got on after us. When we got to the loading platform (which Lenny was able to ride the scooter to), the CM asked where we wanted to sit and I said "wherever gets us wetter" which he said is the front. When Lenny mentioned his knee was really bothering him, the CM said all the rows had the same leg room but Lenny should sit by himself in the row, so that’s what we did. The ride was fun just like it always is and we did end up getting wet from it and it felt good. We stopped by the photo area to get our number and when we got to the line, it was huge. I’ve never seen the line that long so I guess Photopass+ is doing it’s job. We needed to get to the GF for dinner so we walked by, I put my slip of paper away, and I told Abby we’d go back later to add the photo to our card. She was okay with that so we continued on our way, but just for a minute.

The parade was just ending in Frontierland so we had to wait for that before we could walk through Adventureland and on to Main Street. Once the ropes were down, it was like swimming upstream . There were very few people going the same direction as us and it took a few minutes to get out of the masses but we finally made it to the resort monorail. When we got to the GF, there was a line for the elevator so we went into the store there and did some gift shopping. I got a couple of antenna toppers - a new Princess one and one of Mickey wearing a yellow rain poncho - but other than those, the selection of them was extremely small versus in past years. We went downstairs for dinner and unlike in past years where they have a bow on the entrance door that some little girl dressed up pulls on causing the doors to open and Cinderella walking out, none of that happened this year. At 4:30, the doors were opened and people were shown to their tables.

Once again, we had a table close to the buffet and it was the table the characters came to first so we didn’t have to wait around for them to come to us. Dinner was really good as usual but this time, they had a clam bake that Lenny tried. It had crab legs, mussels, shrimp and corn that he can remember. We don’t remember anything else we might have had for dinner but I must have had a chicken leg as I had a bone on my plate that looked like it had a hidden Mickey on it

(sorry for the poor quality photo).

I do have noted though that there was stir fry to order as part of dinner (I know we didn’t eat it) and that there was no ice cream (otherwise Abby would have had some). Other than that, I really don’t know what else there was or what we might have had. The server we had - Lorie - was really good too because after dinner, I took the time to talk to the manager about her. The character interaction was fine but Cinderella and the Prince seemed awfully young. They briefly talked to Abby and posed for photos but there was no really fun interaction like there has been in the past. The stepsisters were more fun and Lady Tremaine seemed like a real witch this time. Lenny and I commented whomever they got was a real good fit for the character.

Details in the rug and the band playing were things we noticed after getting off the elevator

[CinderAbby]

After dinner, when we were on the monorail, we saw the Characters in Flight balloon so of course I had to snap a picture.

Back at the MK, we went to package pickup to get my stuff from before so we could put those and my new purchases from the GF in a locker but the CM said as long as it was Disney purchases, I could leave everything there together. I thought that was cool so that’s exactly what we did. We then went to the Railroad station then the Emporium for some new pressed pennies (what, you thought we wouldn’t look for those this year?).

The town of Medfield does actaully exist - I should know, I live in it

I have no idea what these cranes were for but the were very noticeable back there

Abby wanted Buzz Lightyear after getting the pennies so we went to Tomorrowland. On our way there, I told Lenny he wouldn’t be allowed to take his scooter into the line as the policy changed. He was fine with it as long as there would be a wheelchair available. The CM at Buzz told us there were wheelchairs along the wall where the scooters get parked so we went over there and Lenny transferred to the chair. We went through Buzz, with Abby sitting by herself (she liked sitting by herself this year) and then we got our pictures added to our Photopass. That was so nice to get the photos (digital copies I should say) and not have to pay for them. People mover was our next ride and since Lenny was in the chair, I wheeled him right to the line before returning the chair. The line was really short and manageable for Lenny on both sides so it didn’t bother his knee too much.

I’m not sure what prompted our next ride choice but Abby wanted the Indy Speedway. In all of our other trips to Disney, she has avoided this like the plague so I was very surprised when she said she wanted to go on it. I knew Lenny would never be able to get in and out of the cars so he went off to the smoking area along that Tomorrowland/Fantasyland path and Abby and I went for a drive.

Lenny was still along the path as we were driving so we waved to him. When we were done, we met Lenny over to the side by a new (to us) pressed penny machine. We then started to go back to Splash Mountain for another ride and our photo from earlier and to get some new pressed pennies by the shooting gallery. Abby didn’t want to ride again, she wanted Ariel so we changed our plans a little bit. Lenny and Abby would get the pennies from the shooting gallery and I would get the photo from Splash Mountain. We would then meet back at Rapunzel’s area before doing our last ride of the night.

All of that went off without a hitch and we made our way to Main Street. The Main Street Electrical parade hadn’t started yet, but we were cutting it very close - so much so that we crossed Main Street in front of the Barber shop only a minute or so before the parade did start. We weren’t quite to Package pickup when I heard the music. When I went inside to get our stuff, Lenny and Abby stayed outside to watch the parade and instead of leaving when I was done, we stayed to watch the parade. Lenny and Abby stood on the ramp by City Hall to watch it (well away from the crowd) so I sat outside of package pickup and called mom. Abby said she did really like the parade but it’s the crowds she doesn’t which didn’t surprise me at all. Luckily for us, with our spots close to the entrance, we were able to get in line for the monorail before a lot of other people and made it onto the second monorail to the TTC. We got back to the hotel about 10 and Abby went right to bed.

I got everything ready for the next day that I could , organized my receipts/paperwork and was in bed by midnight .

[omd]

Wow! I'm tired just reading about your day. You certainly covered lots of ground. I love all of your pictures as usual, but the one of Abby with Lenny is awesome. I hope the next time I get back to WDW that the train ride is open. I do love the new Fantasyland and especially the Under the Sea ride.
Looking forward to the next installment.

[kingfamily1129]

wow! what a busy day! it seems like Lenny was in a better mood today which probably made for a fun day. I think it's wonderful that Abby wanted to do things she had never done before. Good for her I haven't had lunch at BoG yet so now I'll have to try it.

[lauriep]

What a great day at MK! You did a lot and it looks like everyone had a lot of fun. Sorry that Lenny's knee got a workout, but he seemed to still have a good time.

[dutchdisneyfamily]

Your second day at Sea World sounded great! You sure packed a lot in your MK day. Lots of fun!

[mcc0313]

What a great day at the MK. We loved Enchanted Tales with Belle, we loved the mirror and the show. Glad you were able to run back and grab your pictures from Splash Mountain, we loved being able to get all the ride photos.

We went to 1900 PF as well, our Cinderella was...well she should have been a step-sister, very catty for Cinderella but as always we loved the interaction with Lady Tremaine and the Step-Sisters.

Glad Abby enjoyed the parade....I am sure everyone was ready to hit the pillow with such a fun and busy day.

[patclairesmom]

Great update, you did so much. Abby seems like she's showing her independence.