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[mommapants]

Thank you everyone for the pixies. Evan and I are adjusting to the new quieter routine. My other dog Trixie is missing Wrigley too. She is deaf and blind in one eye and really relied on him. She is enjoying NOT having to protect her food however...

Well my memory is starting to get a little fuzzy as to what we did on each day but I’m going to plug away on this TR.

Saturday morning we got up early. It was going to be a really long and busy day. Our first order of business was breakfast at Chef Mickey’s. We drove over and for some reason we ended up parking out in the middle of what seemed like nowhere. The last time I ate here and we drove the guard at the gate told me where to park. This time it was like c-ya, have a nice day. We found our way alright but it was just odd.

We checked in, took the obligatory photo and then were seated almost immediately. We were seated at the table exactly next to the one we ate at last time we were here. Evan is not a big breakfast eater but he managed just fine. We had our fill and met all our buddies. Really nothing spectacular to report, we had some cute interaction with Donald when Evan told him how much he loves Mickey and I told Donald he is my favorite.










Sorry some of these look washed out. The window behind was very glary and I tried to adjust the setting and edit the picture but I'm not very good at that so this is what I have.

We took a bathroom break and then it was off on our road trip to Legoland. It was smooth sailing all the way to Winter Haven and right into the parking lot. We were there before rope drop as I had planned. We had plenty of time to use the facilities and upgrade our tickets to include the water park and grab the park maps and get in line. I had studied the map and had a general idea of where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see. But still found it hard to maneuver from one area to the other.

We entered the park and began to just follow the crowd into the park and it just felt like nothing was open. We wandered past closed shops and restaurants. I was beginning to think that this was just a rope drop opening and that the attractions would open later. I felt like we really passed basically nothing when we entered into the Miniland section. I thought this odd as this appeared to be in the middle of the park and I just felt like we hadn’t seen or done ANYTHING.

Minilands is the section of the park that has all different landscapes and buildings and cityscapes all made out of Lego. I really wanted to see this area but knew the crowds at the attractions would be super low right now and that we could come back to the Minilands later. We looked at a few areas and then pushed onward.

We arrived into an area that had a few rides but they didn’t look like they were running. One was like a wild mouse/Primeval Whirl coaster type ride. There were a few people waiting in line but I didn’t see any cars moving. I asked Evan if he wanted to do it and he said no. across the way was another ride that was over a pool. Again I didn’t see it running. It didn’t say closed but I didn’t see anyone in line nor did I see a ride attendant. I was getting a little annoyed thinking what the heck is going on. Then I saw an employee sort of just sitting on this little stool out of view of everything and I asked if the ride was open and he said yes, so we got in line. The ride was AQUAZONE wave racers. You stand in a cart type thing and they go around a central hub but the racers also whip out as you go around the corners and then passer-bys can fire water cannons. Evan really liked this and we went on it about 5 times in a row before anyone else even got in line. Then we got off and manned the water cannons for a ride or 2.

I knew Evan would love the LegoCity section of the park so that was our next stop. He LOVES the Lego City building sets. As you may guess these sets all have to do with things in a city so there are lots of trucks and things. We must have about 50 different building sets from this collection and most of them are Fire Trucks or Police vehicles. This area of the park had boats and firetrucks and a driving school.

We got in line for the boating school and this is where I could just really see the difference from Legoland compared to Disney. The queue line was covered but there were no fans or anything to help cool you off. Every line does have a little play area with Legos but that is really it. There were about 15 parties in line and maybe 7 boats in the water. The staff was just totally going thru the motions. No smiles and barely any talking it was like open the gate point to the boat close the gate. The boats could hold a few small children and one adult and there were signs up all over about no party could ride alone but then there was a height limit of when you could ride alone and when you needed an adult. What I took that to mean was that if you have 2 children they must ride together to speed things along rather than each one riding by themselves and therefore causing the line to slow down. Since Evan was by himself I figured he may have someone else in the boat with him or he may be able to drive himself since he met the height requirement to drive alone. So when it was our turn it turns out I have to go with him. I was sort of thrown off by that as I figured he could go by himself. Me going with him doesn’t speed up the process at all and the woman (I say women but it was really a girl) that was working the line was rather rude in the way she told me I HAD to go with him. I have no problem going with him but then why have signs giving a height requirement to ride alone? This just left a bad taste in my mouth.

The boat in front of us had a father and his son about 3 and then there is Evan and I. There is no rail or track of anything in the canal it is totally on your own. So the boat in front of us is “launched” into the canal and the little boy immediately gets off course bumping into the wall. Then our boat gets launched and we smack into the back of them and completely turn them around. So this poor little kid hasn’t moved 2 inches off the launching deck and is already backwards. I felt bad for them but wasn’t really much I could do. Evan steered our boat flawlessly around the course. Now we come into the unload area there are 2 kids that have to hook ropes up to the boat, guide them into the docking area and then haul the boat up to where the conveyor belt is. OMG what a horrible job that is. I never saw the cast members switch up like they do at Disney so I think these poor kids were stuck doing that all day. When we got off there was about 30 parties in line for the boats. They still only had out 7 boats and I there was about 25 boats just sitting there waiting to be used.

At this point I was glad we were done with that ride and was really just disappointed in how the day was going. Evan on the other hand was having a great time so that is what was truly important. The experience at this boat ride was not an isolated incident. I felt this happened over and over again [hot queue lines, unenthusiastic employees, disorganization.]

Coming up next: Things do get better – I promise [and if time Evan’s favorite part of the entire trip]

[cattailmarsh]

I know this is late but I am truly sorry about the loss of Wrigley. It is such a hard decision to make but so necessary for a suffering animal. Does this loss leave Evan with any pets or will you be pet less for some time? Pixies & prayers that you both are doing ok with this unfortunate change.

We just adopted 2 new kittens bringing our pet total to 5 - OMG what were we thinking except who can say no to my son. I know you are of similar mindset so hopefully Evan can find another pet to love & ease his pain.

[lauriep]

Poor Trixie. It's so sad when an animal is grieving and confused about missing someone. You just wish you could explain to them.

Legoland just sound awful for adults! I'm glad Evan was having a blast, but I'm sure I'd be like you and completely unable to ignore the mismanagement and signs with instructions that are not followed. All that in the heat, too!

[Cam22]

I have to agree with Laurie that Legoland sounds awful for adults. But your start to the day there also sounds weird with the appearance, at least, that nothing was open or running yet.

[Colexis Mom]

Great pictures from breakfast! Sorry LEGOLAND isn't going so well!

[Tara O'Hara]

So sorry to hear about Wrigley, Holly!!. Tons of healing for you and Evan. Oh boy....Legoland sounds not cool for adults. I am glad Evan is enjoying himself, though!!

[mommapants]

For anyone out there still following along...

So when I last left you we had just come off the boating school in the City section of the park. Next up was the driving school. Again Evan loved this. You get your picture taken for your license then you get your instructions and finally you get out into the town to drive. They have battery operated cars of all designs that you can drive around a miniature city. If you guessed that Evan went for the Fire truck you would be right. There was also tow trucks, police cars, taxi, and regular cars. They (about 15 kids) all get to drive around for about 5 minutes. We didn’t really have a wait for this but could easily see this getting very crowded during the day. This did have an inside queue line but once the kids were driving the parents had to wait in the open air gift shop. They soak you for $15.00 for the license with the picture on it. We choose just to go with the free paper one they give you when you exit the ride.

We got an ice cold drink and then headed over to the Firefighters school. This is a racing ride. However you have to do the racing. There are 4 people per firetruck so we were paired with another dad and his son. You have to pump the handle to make the truck move down the road. Then at the end of the road you have to get out and pump the fire hose. Real water shoots out and you have to knock down the flames (wooden cutouts) in the house. Then run back to the fire truck and pump it back to the starting point. OMG I was not in shape for this one. I was all sweaty and out of breath from pumping for like 10 minutes straight. Jeez. Give me a slow relaxing boat ride with singing dolls any day. I don’t need to remind you that this is outside in the blazing sun and heat.

Had I mentioned how hot it was this day?

After I nearly had a heart attack we started toward the flying school. This was no easy task as it was up a fairly steep hill. I can’t imagine Disney having anything this steep. I was very happy I didn’t have to push a stroller or wheelchair up that hill and couldn’t imagine if I had to push my own wheelchair. I don’t think you could do it by yourself and would need a motorized scooter.

After we climbed Everest Evan didn’t want to do the flying school because it was a “scary rollercoaster” It looked to me to be tamer than BTMRR. The only other thing up this hill was the water park. I hadn’t brought our bathing suits into the park because I didn’t want to carry them all day. We decide we would go back to the car and get them, get changed and then come back to the water park. I figured on the way out of the park we would do our shopping and then head straight to the car so we didn’t need to carry that around all day either.

Well even the best laid plans get side tracked. Let’s just say we had several stops along the way out.

Coming up next: Trying to get back to the car

[lauriep]

Anyone else nominate Holly for "Mom of the Year" for this day of awesomeness for Evan and exhaustion mixed with frustration and boredom for her?

[Colexis Mom]

LEGOLAND is hot! The only shade seemed to be down by the banyan trees near the lake, that we found anyway!

[Tara O'Hara]

Originally Posted by lauriep

Anyone else nominate Holly for "Mom of the Year" for this day of awesomeness for Evan and exhaustion mixed with frustration and boredom for her?

I do!! You are an amazing mom, Holly!!

[mommapants]

Today is my little man's 9th birthday - OMG where does the time go?????

[Tara O'Hara]

to Evan!! I hope he is having a magical day!!!

[mommapants]

We left the entrance to the water park to head back to the car to gather our swim suits but let’s say we got a little distracted on our way there…

Our first distraction was Evan wanted to play a game. I let him play one game. It was a basketball game. I really hate these games, especially on the boardwalk at home because they make them almost impossible to win. Evan had to make I think 1 basket out of 3 to win a prize which he did and then I think he got a bonus shot or something – it was too long along now to remember. But he got in 2 baskets so he won the large prize. He chose a stuffed minion. All I can say is thank God we were not flying home and I was happy we were heading to the car. This fluffy had to be 2 feet long and about a foot wide and deep. But Evan was so excited that he won it.

As we left the game I noticed a different path, one we didn’t take getting into the park so we thought we would explore that on the way back to the car. So our next distraction was the dragon roller coaster. This is a wooden roller coaster. Evan did not want to go on the coaster but wanted to play with the Lego bin in the line. There was basically no line so I let him play. I actually found at spot in the queue line entrance that had a fan blowing and I just waited for him to play while trying to cool off. I think we hung out there for about 20 minutes and while he played I people watched, one of my favorite past times. There was this little boy – I mean little, like 3 and was wondering a little too far from his mom. And then she would tell him to come over and he would say “no” then she would tell him again and he would say “no” this went on for like 3 or 4 minutes and then she did a count down and the child still didn’t come. I felt like going and getting this kid myself because it was obvious his mom wasn’t and obvious that that kid walks all over her. Honestly the lack of parenting of some people never ceases to amaze me.

Leaving my little fan and moving closer to the exit Evan found an outdoor play area which was like a ball blaster. You enter an enclosed play area and then shoot/throw foam balls at everyone. I don’t need to mention that although it was enclosed it was still outside. I found a bench next the enclosure with a sliver of shade and I sat down and then called my mom and sister to check on everything going on at home and the guinea pigs.

After 15-20 minutes it was time to move on. We didn’t get far as Evan saw another ride he wanted to try. This was a “joust” ride, basically a plastic horse that gallops round a track. This was another slow loading ride and again saw several horses not being used. Evan waited very patiently and at least this area had a roof and was pretty shady and then you got a breath of air every so often.

Next stop on what felt like the grand exit tour was the gift shop.

Coming up next: Shopping, break time and lunch

[Tara O'Hara]

Oh my goodness, Holly!! You seriously are the best mom ever!!! I'm not sure if I would have had that kind of patience in the heat. :

[lauriep]

Nice attempt to get back to the car! I hope you're saving these reports to show Evan when he's older. He has no idea how lucky he is to be able to enjoy himself like this without getting dragged away in the middle of each fun experience!