Mom's buying so we're flying TR About This Page:

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by mzozzietj

Oh, I meant to ask about the goodie bags... is there another thread about these someplace? I'd love to do something special from our DD for our flight crew next time. Though this time we are flying down on Delta and back on Jetblue. Delta seems so businessy so i'm not sure how they would go over.

Again, I have no idea what you're talking about. I didn't make goodie bags for ourselves let alone the pilots or anyone else on our trip. Sorry

[JKnott17]

Originally Posted by mzozzietj

Oh, I meant to ask about the goodie bags... is there another thread about these someplace? I'd love to do something special from our DD for our flight crew next time. Though this time we are flying down on Delta and back on Jetblue. Delta seems so businessy so i'm not sure how they would go over.

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

Unfortunately, I have no idea what you're talking about here. If the pilot was great for getting us to Florida early, that's fine but no one was allowed near the cockpit, not even Abby so she most definitely didn't fly the plane.

I think mzozzietj somehow confused your TR with Cam22's. She talked about flying SW, and her daughter gave out goodie bags to the flight crew and got to meet the pilot in the cockpit

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by lsugirlinutah

Ugh, sorry about the horrible golf extravaganza. I wonder if Lenny is so cranky because this trip was a gift and he doesn't have any ownership of it? I guess what I'm saying is that if you have saved and saved for a trip, you are less likely to try and ruin it with a bad mood, since you've worked so hard to get there. Since this one fell into your lap, perhaps it feels less like "his" trip? Also, I think we as moms have a greater tolerance for our kids' fits, tantrums, and less-than-perfect behavior. Husbands tend to have a lot less patience, probably because they don't have to deal with it as much. Well, enough
armchair psychologist...

I'm glad Abby is having a good time and her interactions with the characters have been priceless. The look on her face makes the vacation worth all the hard times. Looking forward to more!

Maybe he got that way because we couldn't afford it ourselves this year - you know how some people get when others pay for something for you. We've had other arguements in the past when we have paid for our own trips so I think that who pays might not matter. I think he's just turning into a grumpy old man - and I've told him so to his face. And yes, as moms we do have tolerance - not only for the kids but for the husbands too - especially when they don't realize how much we do put up with.

You're right - Abby having a good time does make it all worth it. When I see the pictures of her and how happy she is, there's no way I could ever stay away from that.

Originally Posted by coffeechef

I like that.... it made me chuckle. and since you were the only one trying to make nice, you get to tell the story anyway you choose
I love the pictures of Abby with Chip and then Dale and all of that for that matter, it looks like she is really getting into the fun of it all.

That's right - it's my story and I'm sticking too it .Thanks - As much as Abby hates it when I take out the camera, if I can snap the picture before she realizes it, I can get those candid shots of her where she's truly happy instead of trying to "act" happy (because she still can't smile for the camera).

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

I was so glad to read your review of Garden Grill, we're trying it for the first time in October--it is actually the only dinner ADR that we have. It has become increasingly difficult to get an ADR since they stopped serving lunch.

I hope you enjoy the GG - we have but I agree, it's hard to get in here. When I first booked it, all I could get was something much later (I think 6:45 am) and it took a lot of trying again and again before I could finally get the early time we like. It would be nice had the left the lunch but since they didn't, it would be nice if they brought it back. IMO it would make it easier to tour Epcot, especially FW without a dinner cutting into the already early time of some of the FW attractions.

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by JKnott17

I think mzozzietj somehow confused your TR with Cam22's. She talked about flying SW, and her daughter gave out goodie bags to the flight crew and got to meet the pilot in the cockpit

Thanks for letting my know that - I had no clue as I've fallen behind on reading other TR's.

[Alex'sMummy]

All caught up again- i was so far behind. I'm glad that Abby enjoys the character meals. My DD is not as keen on the dressed up characters (Mickey, Minnie, etc) but loves the princess ones. I'm hoping she'll grow out of it so we can enjoy these meals.

Sorry that the mini golf wasn't a fun experience, but at least you all had a good time at Epcot. Great pics too.

Rachel

[JKnott17]

You're welcome I've been falling behind on others as well, I had to cut back on how many I was reading as I was starting to confuse them all too!

Glad you had a great meal at GG, the pics of Abby with Chip and Dale are so cute! BTW, love her name (I have a little Abby of my own too )

[OneLittleSpark]

Originally Posted by JKnott17

I think mzozzietj somehow confused your TR with Cam22's. She talked about flying SW, and her daughter gave out goodie bags to the flight crew and got to meet the pilot in the cockpit

That is what I thought as soon as she said goody bags!

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by Alex'sMummy

All caught up again- i was so far behind. I'm glad that Abby enjoys the character meals. My DD is not as keen on the dressed up characters (Mickey, Minnie, etc) but loves the princess ones. I'm hoping she'll grow out of it so we can enjoy these meals.

Sorry that the mini golf wasn't a fun experience, but at least you all had a good time at Epcot. Great pics too.

Rachel

Thanks Rachel. Abby didn't care at all for the "fur" characters the first couple of trips we went. It was only the "face" characters - real people like the Princesses. She has since warmed up to all the characters but there are still a few here and there she doesn't like (she avoids Pinocchio for some reason in the parks).

Originally Posted by JKnott17

You're welcome I've been falling behind on others as well, I had to cut back on how many I was reading as I was starting to confuse them all too!

Glad you had a great meal at GG, the pics of Abby with Chip and Dale are so cute! BTW, love her name (I have a little Abby of my own too )

Thanks. It is easy to confuse TR's - BTDT. Lots of people like the name Abby - it seems every place I go, I always here two or three other people say the name Abby - and of course I always stop and look for mine when they do .

[mommapants]

Nice update Darlene, sorry you didn't get out of Epcot ahead of the crowds but I hope you got some nice photos because of it.

More please

[CinderAbby]

Tuesday July 26 part 1

Tuesday morning, just like every other morning on vacation, I was the first one up. I was up at 6:30, Lenny was up at 7 and Abby was up at 8. And truthfully, it wasn’t the greatest morning going. I still wasn’t happy with some of the events from the day before and with this being the last day of our vacation, I was just kind of in a sour mood. Being up so early and seeing no need to put it off, I actually started packing our bags so I didn’t have to do it all that night when we got back to the room. Some of my mood kind of spilled over on Lenny so he wasn’t all that happy either but we tried not to let it ruin the day for Abby. After we were all ready for the day, we headed to the MK as I wanted to be there early enough to actually get some things done before our lunch ADR at the CP. We did however make one stop first. Since Abby said she wasn’t hungry we skipped the food court that day but I told Lenny to go to McDonalds . He seemed surprised I told him that so I told him again to go to McDonalds. Just because Abby didn’t want something didn’t mean we had to go without. We ended up getting some Egg McMuffins and a Hi-C orange for me (Lenny still had coffee from the resort) and we ate it on the go. Abby did try a bite of one but didn’t like it so Lenny and I ate hers.

We were finally in the MK by 10 AM and just as we were going down Main Street we heard the Music for the Move It Shake It Celebrate It parade. Our first stop was going to be Rapunzel so we headed that way but before we took the path, Abby wanted to stop and see the parade come by.

She enjoys the music as it approaches but the minute the interactive portion of the parade started, she was done watching and she headed towards Rapunzel. When we got there, the line was well over 45 minutes and one of the CM’s told me it would stay that way all day long . I was bummed for Abby but she took it in stride asking to go see if the carousel was working (it hadn’t been running on Friday).

As we rounded the corner from the Castle pathway by Sir Mickey’s right there with a small line was Lady Tremaine and the Step Sisters. Abby didn’t want to stop so I just snapped a picture as we went by for her and continued onto the Carousel.

It was up and running today and we literally walked right on. There was no line, no waiting and there were some horses still empty. I was actually surprised to find an outside horse free for Abby so Lenny could see her from the scooter. He had told me he would wait and watch but then there he was - he had decided to ride with us (although neither he nor I rode a horse, we just stood there by Abby).

After the carousel, Abby wanted where else but IASW. I was surprised to see this had no line either - on either side of the boat. There wasn’t even a CM at the bottom of the handicapped ramp like there usually was.

After IASW, we still had enough time for one more ride before heading to the CP to check in and Abby chose Peter Pan. This was my fathers favorite ride and I know it would make him so happy to know that Abby loves this ride. After returning from Neverland, Abby wanted to stop and try to pull the sword out of the stone.

Oh yeah, smile for mom

Maybe this’ll do it

　
She didn’t get it to budge so we then went to the CP and checked in for lunch. As we were sitting there and watching Piglet peek out through the windows,

there was another family standing there waiting. I don’t know if we both turned at the same time or how it happened but next thing I know I heard "CinderAbby." It was Jody from ToddJodyBrent.

Lenny’s candid shot of us talking

They also had a lunch at the CP that day and I was actually really surprised to see them as I had known they left on their vacation long before we did. I just didn’t realize at the time they had done the Disney Cruise first. And as it always is (for me at least) with a PP meet in the park, the conversation just flowed from one subject to the next, Disney or not. I can’t tell you how long we talked for . I can only say that we talked until my pager went off . For me, I would have loved to have talked longer but it was time for lunch and after that, we never ran into each other again. Jody and her family were headed to Tomorrowland after lunch and we were heading the opposite direction to Tiana and Adventureland.

As for our CP lunch, we enjoyed the food and we enjoyed the characters but once again people treated it like it was a cafeteria and lined up instead of getting plates and just getting the food they wanted . We saw Tigger and Pooh right away

which we lucked out with because once they were gone Abby and I headed to the buffet, which had no line. I don’t remember why Lenny didn’t go up - maybe so I could leave our cameras and bags at the table?? - but because he didn’t I made a salad up for him. After taking Abby back to the table and dropping off Lenny’s salad, I headed back to the buffet and I was able to load up 2 more plates of food for Lenny and Abby. When I got back with that, I made the mistake of sitting down to eat instead of getting something else to eat because there was a line shortly thereafter. We had a little while to wait for Piglet but I wanted something more to eat (I had only grabbed a roll and some meats from the salad portion) and the line was quite sizeable. Lenny kept telling me that I’d get back in time and I kept insisting no way but Lenny said if I wasn’t he’d make sure to get a photo of Piglet and his autograph. So I grudgingly went. As much as the line annoys me, it’s sometimes hard to find a nice way to get a plate when everyone else is trying to do the same thing so I did the only thing I could - I got at the end of the line . This day however, the restaurant had someone from the kitchen grabbing stacks of plates to hand out to the guests waiting in line. People got their plates and still waited - for what, I’m not sure - but not me. As soon as I was handed my plate and I said thank you for it, I walked right by everyone and went right to the meat and potatoes line of the buffet. I didn’t want a salad and I didn’t want anymore rolls so I had no intention of waiting in line when the other part of the line, which had nobody there, had what I wanted. And I know at least one other person followed my example . I grabbed what I wanted then as I made my way back, I said excuse me to some people to get some mac and cheese off the kids buffet. I had wanted to get that first thing but I just felt it would be easier to be let in with food already on the plate.

Because I did what I did, I got back to our table with about 2 tables to spare before Piglet was there. When Piglet finally got to our table, I told him Abby was acting shy - and she was for some reason - so he acted shy as well so I could get pictures of the two of them. It was really cute.

A few minutes later Eeyore came by and I told him we were as gloomy as him because it was our last day . He didn’t really interact much with us but we got his picture and his autograph so Abby was happy.

So for this meal overall, we had good food and we had good interactions but the fact that people line up just boggles my mind . Even after all the things we had gotten off the buffet line, we were still hungry so instead of getting in line again, I went to the dessert portion of the buffet. We normally don’t eat off it as we prefer to have more "real" food than the desserts at buffets but this at least had no line whatsoever so it was easy to get something. I got a small bowl of ice cream for Abby and some cookies along with some banana tarts and some German chocolate cake. When I got back to the table, Abby had some ice cream and then instead of sharing the cookies, she grabbed them and used the rest of her ice cream to make an ice cream sandwich. Lenny and I just laughed - how’s that for having something not on the menu? Lenny and I shared the tarts and the cake and because I liked the banana flavor, I went back and got a couple more since they were so tiny. I also got a couple of the chocolate cannolies to try but I didn’t like them so I let Lenny have them. By that time we were all pretty much full and we had seen all the characters so we settled our bill and headed out.

[CinderAbby]

Monday July 26 part 2

Our first stop was at Tiana’s M&G area but she wasn’t there . I asked the CM standing there when she would be there and I was told at 1:15. At that time it was 12:55 so waiting 20 minutes was definitely something we could do - especially since we were the first ones in line. After a minute or two of waiting however, Lenny said if we had to wait for Tiana, then maybe he should go wait in line for Rapunzel. When I had been talking to Jody earlier, this is how she told me they tackled the Rapunzel line. Todd waited in line while she and Brent went and did a few other things (Thank you so much Jody for giving us this idea). I don’t think Lenny was paying any attention when I talked to Jody so when he suggested waiting for Rapunzel while Abby and I waited for Tiana, I told him it was a really good idea . That way we could see both without spending all day in line . Lenny left us but came back a minute or two later to give us the umbrella and ponchos just in case it started to rain. It had been cloudy all morning long and he also wanted to make sure both of us had our phones on.

As we waited, Abby made herself comfortable on the stone wall and I talked with the mom in line behind us and it didn’t seem like we waited all that long.

As it got closer, a Photopass photographer came into the area and she came over and started talking with Abby. It was so cute to see Abby show the photographer her autograph book and the attention she gave Abby back.

And just as Tiana was making her way into the M&G area, my phone rang . I was hoping it wasn’t Lenny telling me it was our turn for Rapunzel. It was Lenny but he was calling to tell me that he was waiting at the rope for Rapunzel and that we would be at the start of the next group to be let in. For me, that was really good news as that meant less waiting for Abby.

As for the M&G with Tiana, I’m not really sure what she and Abby talked about as I was trying to get Lenny off the phone, take pictures and grab Abby’s autograph book all at the same time.

Somehow I managed to do it all and soon Abby’s turn was over and we were leaving Tiana’s gazebo. On the way to the Fairytale spot, I saw a photopass photographer by the castle and asked if Abby wanted a picture with just her and mommy . She agreed and we stopped and then we were headed back to the other side of the park. When we finally got in line with Lenny, he told us the next time for Rapunzel was suppose to be 1:55 (I’m pretty sure) so we still had about 30 minutes to wait. Abby was good, she waited really patiently - probably because as far as she was concerned, she would be first in to see Rapunzel - and the time passed rather quickly. Plus it didn’t hurt any that the CM actually let us in early to see her (Disney Magic).

We enjoyed our time with Rapunzel and soon we said good bye to her. I didn’t realize it at the time but Lenny wanted us to get in the picture with her so he wasn’t happy with me when Abby and I started to walk away from her allowing the next people in line their time. I told him it’s not a big deal, I get in line for Abby to meet the characters, not us. He grumbled as we walked away but he eventually got over it.

Happy with having met the newest Disney Princesses, Abby told us she wanted to go back to Adventureland for the Jungle Cruise. We went over that way got in line and pretty soon it was our turn to board. And as we did, we recognized our Skipper - Skipper Robert - from our last time on the JC. Today he was on the dock and he was like "Do I know you?" I said "yes, you were our Skipper the other day" and he said "I thought you looked familiar." We thought it was nice that he recognized us. Anyway, we got on the boat and somehow I ended up in front of Abby and because of that, I quietly asked the Skipper if Abby could possibly drive the boat. She said she’d see and I thanked her. We set sail waving goodbye to all the people we’d never seen before and would probably never seen again and headed off past Inspiration Falls.

When we got to the temple part, the skipper acted like she was afraid to go in and she wanted to know if anyone was willing to take over and Abby of course raised her hand in the air. The skipper then went on to say that if anything went wrong, it would be all Abby’s fault, not hers (sounds about right to me ). The CM only let Abby go through the temple (some in the past have let her "drive" for longer) but Abby was happy with what she did and didn’t complain when she was told she could sit back down. The rest of the ride was the same as it always is.

From Jungle Cruise we went to Splash Mountain. I had wanted to ride it our other day in the MK but because of the storms, it had been shut down and wasn’t running when we were in Frontierland. Today it was up and running. It had been cloudy all day but luckily it was dry and quiet (meaning it wasn’t thundering and lightning). When it was our turn to ride, somehow we ended up in the middle two rows. Normally we’re asked if we want the front or the back and then we get whatever we ask for so it was weird to not be asked and put in the middle of the boat. Now as for riding it with the new lap bars, I didn’t feel it was any big deal to have it there . It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the ride and to tell the truth if I hadn’t known about all the "controversy" of them being installed, it probably would never have even dawned on me it was there in the first place. Even now thinking back to our ride on Splash Mountain, I know it was there, but I don’t remember noticing it. I know that may not make much sense but that’s how little of an impact I feel the bar makes on the ride. I know it makes a huge impact for those wanting to get out of the log and wander around (they’re idiots, every one of them that has done that ) but as a Pooh sized rider, I was just as comfortable on the ride this year with the bar as I was last year with no bar .

After we "splashed down" and got our number, we went and bought the picture. I barely paid attention to it. It’s just one of those things that’s tradition for us to buy so I told the CM our number, the size picture we wanted and handed over the credit card.

After we got that, we actually walked out of the gift store. Normally I have fun looking around here and always like to get something other than the picture but not this day. With our picture in hand, we left the gift store without looking. As we stopped to use the restrooms, we noticed a strong breeze was starting to come up so we knew it might be getting ready to rain. By the time we were done in the bathrooms, it was raining. And it was at this time my mother called too. I don’t know if it was because of the rain or the location but she said she couldn’t even hear me. I walked a few feet away, called home and even though mom could hear me this time (can you hear me now??), she said I was breaking up really bad and to call later in the day. I told her I would and was kind of bummed I didn’t have a reason to stay out of the rain. Abby wanted to ride the train and that is the absolute last ride I want to do in the rain. I still have memories of riding it as a child in the rain and the rain hitting me so hard it really hurt . Since I couldn’t tell Abby that though (since she’s so impressionable) I donned my poncho and really, really hoped that what happened the last time we rode the train would happen this time - and it did.

Stay tuned for part 3 to find out what happened

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by mommapants

Nice update Darlene, sorry you didn't get out of Epcot ahead of the crowds but I hope you got some nice photos because of it.

More please

Thanks. I just posted two more updates right after your post. As for the pictures, they're posted in my Epcot thread about the M&G. The pictures are nice but we're really enjoying the book Lenny found there (that last minute purchase me made). It's called something like "Walt Disney World, Then, Now and Forever"

[mzozzietj]

Originally Posted by JKnott17

I think mzozzietj somehow confused your TR with Cam22's. She talked about flying SW, and her daughter gave out goodie bags to the flight crew and got to meet the pilot in the cockpit

This is exactly what I did, I was sneaking in to read from work yesterday and I started reading some of cam's TR as well then I got back to reading Darlene's last night and I guess I merged them in my head somehow, LOL

So sorry Darlene!

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by mzozzietj

This is exactly what I did, I was sneaking in to read from work yesterday and I started reading some of cam's TR as well then I got back to reading Darlene's last night and I guess I merged them in my head somehow, LOL

So sorry Darlene!

No apology needed - I was just confused because I had no idea where it came from. I've BTDT confusing things myself.

[mzozzietj]

It's so much easier to reply when I'm not catching p with 24 pages at once

Love the pictures from CP, I agree on the lines though, It's so strange. I wonder if it's the way it's arranged perhaps that confuses people. Other buffets (like 1900 Park fare, etc) have different areas, etc? I dunno *shrug* We've decided to avoid buffets for a while ourselves because they never go well with our 2 yr old.

I love how you randomly run into other PPers throughout your trips! I need to keep my eyes posted for others next time

Thank you for the info about the lap bars on Splash mountain too. Being pooh-sized myself I am not always comfortable with all the lap bars. I will say though, I'm such a wimp with that big drop, I super excited about the lap bars on Splash.

Can't wait to hear what happens on the train!!!