Swilley Family Finally Does Disney 'Right'!~Trip Report~**Updated 9/29** - Page 13 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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What a great evening at MK....your frog story had me hysterical. I could suddenly see you grabbing the kids and running with a pile up of cars behind you and the frog grinning and then jumping away.
You got a lot done this evening...glad you stuck it out to see Spectro - I agree with your vote, it is my favorite parade at WDW.
Glad the kids went straight to sleep for you....can't wait to hear all about your birthday.
great update jill
I am not a frog lover either - I would have freaked out for sure
glad you enjoyed spectro - great pics
too funny about leah sitting straight up out of sleep
hurry back with more please
I don't think I shared in my pre-trip that my parents would be joining us for my birthday! They live a quick 10 min drive from us here in Illinois; but were already vacationing in Ft. Laud. A couple of weeks before we left, we were talking about what a bummer it was that they would be so close and not be able to spend any vacation time with us. We got to talking and decided that Dad would be bored to death after 10 days and maybe they should join us. So, after a few phone calls, it was decided that they would drive up on Tues. night and stay with DM's sister who lives in Orlando, so they could spend my 32nd birthday with us! They would stay with her again that night and fly home from Orlando instead. It worked out nice that we already had AK planned for that day because DM loves animals, and they had never been there! The down side was that we had planned AK originally due to am EMH's, and since they would be buying single day tickets, we could not take advantage of that. Oh well, the kids were so excited to share Disney with their Grandparents, so it was worth it to wait! My parents met us at our room around 8:15 where we showed them around and then quickly made our way to the bus depot. I don't think we waited long for a bus and the ride was uneventful. Question? Does anyone think the bus drop at AK is unusually far away.
We took longer than usual getting into the park with the buying of tickets and snapping some photos. All the while I was thinking that every minute that passed was another 20 people in front of us in line for the safari ; but, I kept my mouth shut knowing that no one but me enjoys the commando type touring! We were so excited to meet Pocohantas and had to stand in line once she was spotted as Leah had just seen that movie for the first time and now called all the black haired princesses Pocohantas. ~If you're looking for a quick way to ruin your self-esteem, stand next to this chic!
Once inside, we paused (again) for the photopass, but I'm so glad we did! I'm going to frame this one for my parents.
Then it was on to Kilimanjaro. The stand-by line was up to an hour already, so we grabbed FP's and decided to ride the train to Rafiki's. I should mention here that I was worried about having my parents at AK in particular because my DD had knee replacement in Feb. and had a procedure scheduled for the other knee the day after he got home. The rough terrain combined with the ridiculous heat here made me a little worried about how he would get along. Of course I tried to convince him that maybe an EVC would be a good idea; but this college football coach would rather crawl then ride around a public place! He would, however push one of the strollers, so that served as a nice decoy! Anyway....where was I? Oh, I bring this up here because the seats on the train served as our first obstacle. The rows are so close together, and his knee doesn't bend 90 degrees, so he needed an end of the row seat. As they are making one announcement after another that this is a full train and please slide all the way down, we are trying to quick figure out how many people to let in so Dad ends up on the end!
We had a fun trek to the conservation station and stopped several times along the way at the exhibits. This nice CM taught us lots about the cute little monkeys. I thought it was interesting that they put them in groups of two for a reason. Apparently they are extremely territorial and would be mean if a third were added. I know some girls like that.....
As we hit the door to conservation station we received the best birthday surprise!!! Dream fastpasses I went all excited on the Dream Makers as I knew what a gift this was—I almost hugged the lady! I think they were tickled to see my enthusiasm as I explained our prize to DM.
We spent about 40 min or so checking out the exhibits. Very cool, definitely worth the ride out there! My DD and I were very entertained by the fact that they had the different foods that all the animals ate and then around the corner had the “end result.” (Kinda wish I had taken pictures).
After waving to Rafiki and Jiminey Cricket from afar (their lines were too long) DM insisted on spending some time at the petting zoo. I usually avoid these with the kids, cause I find them, well, gross; but, Disney even does this right! It didn't even smell, and the animals were so calm. There's even a place to wash your hands as you leave.
We headed back to get using those FP's!
__________________
Read all about it in my TR, "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!" Jill Phil. 4: 13
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Great update Jill!! Congrats on the dream fastpasses What a great start to your birthday!! More please
Thank you! It really was a great morning!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueCinderellaEyes
First off: Girl you are so pretty!!
2nd: Congrats on the Birthday dream fast passes!
Oh, thank you--that's so nice. I haven't felt pretty for a long time since each of my pregnancies left me with 10 lbs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KandJluvdisney
great update jill
I am not a frog lover either - I would have freaked out for sure
glad you enjoyed spectro - great pics
too funny about leah sitting straight up out of sleep
hurry back with more please
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
What a great evening at MK....your frog story had me hysterical. I could suddenly see you grabbing the kids and running with a pile up of cars behind you and the frog grinning and then jumping away.
You got a lot done this evening...glad you stuck it out to see Spectro - I agree with your vote, it is my favorite parade at WDW.
Glad the kids went straight to sleep for you....can't wait to hear all about your birthday.
I really think I would've abandoned the car! And, DH went straight to sleep too, thanks for the help, hon!
Quote:
Originally Posted by whoSEZ
Jill -- great update, LOVE the Spectro pics. I am really enjoying your TR; thanks so much for taking the time to post it!!
I'm just glad people are enjoying it-it's so fun for me to relive the memories!
__________________
Read all about it in my TR, "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!" Jill Phil. 4: 13
I'm so enjoying this trip report. How cool that you got the dream fastpasses!! On your birthday, no less!!
I love the picture of your two kiddos petting the goat. I feel the same way you do about petting zoos. It helps that my DH's brother has a farm with the same animals as a petting zoo. I know they take good care of their animals and they're relatively clean. But like you, I will make the exception for Disney and visit their petting zoo.
Keep up the great work! I can't wait to hear about what your birthday holds.
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~If you're looking for a quick way to ruin your self-esteem, stand next to this chic!
Your whole family is beautiful, including you!
Congrats on the Dream FPs. I have a similar "just won a dream FP" photo of myself! Glad you enjoyed Rafiki's Planet Watch. I've heard the animals at the petting zoo are so calm because guests don't feed them. That's what turns them into wild beasts. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Great update Jill. Your comment about Pocahontas had me cracking up. We have a picture with the same one and I felt the same way. However, you have nothing to worry about. You are beautiful. Congratulations on the Dream FP. I had heard that they had given them out at Rafiki's also and went there just to try and score some, but no such luck. Glad your parents were able to join you. Can't wait to hear more about your day at AK.
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Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince
Love the PP pic of your whole family; it definitely is a keeper!
Oh yes, I know what you mean about Pocahontas. We met her at the P & P Party on our spring trip, and my DH was really interested in standing next to her! It's okay, though; we took a picture of him with Pocahontas and me with John Smith.
Congratuations on the dream! What a nice birthday surprise!
Beth! I didn't get to meet John Smith--would've liked that
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheriemek
Thanks for including all of the pictures! I am really enjoying your TR!
Thank you- I'm enjoying writing it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lissybri
Great update Jill. Your comment about Pocahontas had me cracking up. We have a picture with the same one and I felt the same way. However, you have nothing to worry about. You are beautiful. Congratulations on the Dream FP. I had heard that they had given them out at Rafiki's also and went there just to try and score some, but no such luck. Glad your parents were able to join you. Can't wait to hear more about your day at AK.
Thanks Liz, it was really fun that they were a total surprise--we saw dream makers later in the week and were tempted to follow them!
__________________
Read all about it in my TR, "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!" Jill Phil. 4: 13
Your whole family is beautiful, including you! Your too nice--but, honestly I wasn't fishing for compliments!
Congrats on the Dream FPs. I have a similar "just won a dream FP" photo of myself! Glad you enjoyed Rafiki's Planet Watch. I've heard the animals at the petting zoo are so calm because guests don't feed them. That's what turns them into wild beasts. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!
I love your new sig pic P-Sha--so good of the three of you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandy_mel
Jill,
I'm so enjoying this trip report. How cool that you got the dream fastpasses!! On your birthday, no less!!
I love the picture of your two kiddos petting the goat. I feel the same way you do about petting zoos. It helps that my DH's brother has a farm with the same animals as a petting zoo. I know they take good care of their animals and they're relatively clean. But like you, I will make the exception for Disney and visit their petting zoo.
Keep up the great work! I can't wait to hear about what your birthday holds.
Thanks, Brandy! It was so cool to get dream FP's! And I didn't even have a birthday button! We had a great day--but it does get really wet soon!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disneybine
What an awesome birthday so far! Dream Fastpasses!!! How very
Believe me, you got nothing to worry about!
Thanks so much for writing this TR! It is so much fun reading it!
Thank you, Sabine. I'm glad it brightens your day!
__________________
Read all about it in my TR, "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!" Jill Phil. 4: 13
what a great start to your birthday
congrats on the fast passes
how awsomw that your parents were able to join you - that pic rocked
hurry back with more please
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I am really enjoying your TR; thanks so much for taking the time to post it!!
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Pixie Dust
We got to talking and decided that Dad would be bored to death after 10 days and maybe they should join us. 
So, after a few phone calls, it was decided that they would drive up on Tues. night and stay with DM's sister who lives in Orlando, so they could spend my 32nd birthday with us! They would stay with her again that night and fly home from Orlando instead. 
All the while I was thinking that every minute that passed was another 20 people in front of us in line for the safari 
; but, I kept my mouth shut knowing that no one but me enjoys the commando type touring! 
We were so excited to meet Pocohantas and had to stand in line once she was spotted as Leah had just seen that movie for the first time and now called all the black haired princesses Pocohantas.
so we grabbed FP's and decided to ride the train to Rafiki's. I should mention here that I was worried about having my parents at AK in particular because my DD had knee replacement in Feb. and had a procedure scheduled for the other knee the day after he got home. 
The rough terrain combined with the ridiculous heat here made me a little worried about how he would get along. Of course I tried to convince him that maybe an EVC would be a good idea; but this college football coach would rather crawl then ride around a public place! 
He would, however push one of the strollers, so that served as a nice decoy! 
(Kinda wish I had taken pictures).
Sammi
Your whole family is beautiful, including you!
![[SIGPIC]](signaturepics/sigpic27594_7.gif)
Beth! I didn't get to meet John Smith--would've liked that 
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