Eight is Enough - A July 2014 TR with cousins, club level and more Updated 3/29 DHS and Frozen Fun About This Page:

[MayraLR]

Glad you're writing a trip report! Your kids have grown a lot, especially Jared. He doesn't look like a little boy anymore. Can we please stop time so our kids don't grow anymore?

[lissybri]

The previous night, I had set up a wake up call for 2:45 even though I know I can’t ever get up without snoozing at least once. I didn’t do too bad and got up at 3.

After I got ready, I woke DH followed by the boys.


Sleepy boys in the elevator

We were in the lobby by 3:45. My sister and her family were ready and waiting for us. I knew we wouldn’t get the complimentary breakfast since we’d be heading out so early, therefore, I let the gentleman who checked us in know the night before. He told me not to worry, he would leave some bags with breakfast goodies at the front desk for us in the morning. I didn’t see them at first, but I asked the lady at the front desk. She went in the back and grabbed 7 bags for us (I was too nervous/excited to eat). The bags each contained a muffin, apple, and small bottle of water. Remember, I was banned from taking food pictures until we got to Disney.

I was really worried about fitting in the shuttle to the airport since we were a large party with what seemed like a ton of suitcases and carry on bags. We were first in line for the shuttle, but I could tell the family in line behind us was pretty annoyed with us and thought they wouldn’t make this shuttle. To be honest, they were making me nervous and kept rolling their eyes at us and asked if we were all getting in the shuttle. Seriously? Anyway, they made me so nervous that when DH pulled our car around so I could leave our Hampton Inn overnight bag in the trunk, I unknowingly left my cell phone in the trunk. DH went to park the car across the street where it would stay for the next two weeks, and I joined the rest of my family in the shuttle line. That’s when I noticed that I didn’t have my cell phone and started to panic a little. I tried calling DH to ask him to bring it to me, but he didn’t answer his phone. At that point, I was close to a nervous break down and had no choice but to run across the street like a mad woman. Keep in mind, it was still dark out and there wasn’t a soul to be seen in the huge parking lot. I ran faster than I’ve ever run in my life becasue I was worried we'd miss the shuttle. I got to the car and was on the verge of tears when I realized DH was not there and I did not have the keys. I just about lost it at that point and couldn’t bring myself to run back to my family. I couldn’t even call them to let them know they should go to the airport without me. I thought I had ruined our vacation and we would definitely miss our flight, when I saw DH running towards me. I've never seen a more beautiful sight, lol. I finally got my phone and we went back to wait for the shuttle.

The shuttle arrived shortly after and we somehow all managed to squeeze in, even the other family. We were basically all sitting on top of each other, but no one seemed to mind.

We arrived at Philadelphia airport and checked our bags curbside. It was a lot easier with extra hands and with the kids being a little older. Next we were directed towards the security line.

The security check was a little more complicated this time around. It was our first time traveling since DH had the spinal cord stimulator implanted. He cannot go through the x-ray machine, therefore he had to get checked manually. It didn’t take too long and soon we were off to find our gate.

waiting in the security line




Heading to our gate

[lissybri]

waiting to board

Our pre-flight ritual usually includes McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches and this time was no different. We didn’t have much time so we just ordered a few different things and shared.

We flew Southwest again and had paid for the early bird check-in. We got “A” boarding passes and all got to sit together. I sat with my oldest niece and Jared. My sister sat with Shea and Aidan. Will and Brian sat together and then a lady sat next to them.


Brianna and Jared on the plane


Yvonne with Aidan and Shea


DH and DBil



The flight was uneventful except for a little turbulence. My sister’s family usually drives to Disney since she is terrified of flying I was nervous about that, but overall, she did much better than I thought she would. (she may or may not have cried a little during take off). We landed at around 8:40 a.m. and headed over to DME where we waited approximately 5 minutes. We were on the bus to Kidani at around 9:20 a.m.


on the fake monorail


the fountain at MCO




on the way to DME





More pics to follow....

[lissybri]

DME line

[lissybri]

I didn’t realize we could use our magicbands for DME and I was a little bummed that I had no idea where I had packed them. We were able to still use the DME booklets to get on the bus, but it would’ve been way cooler to practice using our magicbands.


the worst DME bus picture ever


someone's happy




DME was also uneventful. The video was new since the last time we’d seen it in 2012, so that helped pass the time until we saw the most beautiful sign ever…..


the video must've been very interesting


there I am


she's going to kill me for posting this


I know you all love this sight as much as I do





The bus made quite a few stops before we arrived at Kidani. I remember stopping at Art of Animation, Pop Century, and a couple of other resorts (don't remember which ones)





To be continued with our arrival at Kidani, a day at the pool, and dinner at Boma.....

[lissybri]

Originally Posted by xwewhisper

Signing on, can't wait to hear all about the trip!

Thanks for following along.

Originally Posted by mcc0313

What a great start Liz. So excited to hear all about your trip. I enjoyed seeing your posts on FB, it looks like you all had a great time.

I still cannot get over how big the boys have gotten, espeically Jared. Love the picture of all the kids together.

Thanks Meg. I'm glad you liked my FB posts. Hope you will be posting during your trip also. The boys are big, aren't they? I like that picture too.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

I'm so glad you're writing a TR! Can't wait to hear if you made it everywhere!

Thanks Kelly. So glad you are reading.

Originally Posted by TinkerbellJenn99

Checking in to catch up later

Thanks for reading.

Originally Posted by disneydreamer33

Yay!!! Now I get all the details!! I loved following along on FB. Looked like you guys had a lot of fun!!!

Thanks for following along on here and on FB Liz. We had a great time.

[lissybri]

Originally Posted by mousestruck

What a nice surprise to find your TR! Great start!!! We've stayed in many Hampton Inns for baseball tourneys and have found they are usually great... inexpensive, clean and free breakfast! Sorry the swim was cut short, but looks like the cousins are all excited!

Aimee, I'm so happy you found my TR. We really did like the Hampton Inn and I'm glad we gave it another shot. Are those your kids in your signature pic? If so, they have gotten so big since your last picture. How did that happen?

Originally Posted by mojjo

Looking forward to reading this. Can't believe how much the boys have grown up since your signature pic.

I know . Time flies.

Originally Posted by phiedragon

Great start. I love the photos of all the cousins together!

Thank you.

Originally Posted by shazza

Great start. Good thing you relented and let the boys swim - at least they got to test the pool. This should be a fun TR, with two photogenic families and the cousins look happy to be together.

It's funny, they didn't even complain when they had to get out of the pool. I guess they had enough fun in those few minutes. Thanks so much for your nice comments. The cousins love each other very much and are best friends.

Originally Posted by Agent P

Great start ....looking forward to more!

Thank you for reading.

Originally Posted by PhilsEagles08

Great start so far!!! Hopefully all the kids get along during the trip!

They got along great! Thank God.

Originally Posted by KMB733

Great Start!!

Thanks Kathy.

Originally Posted by lindawdw

Glad that you had a nice room at The Hampton Inn but it was too bad that the boys had to cut short their pool time. The cousins look excited to be all together! Looking forward to hearing more of your trip.

Yes, thank you so much for reading.

Originally Posted by iwonathomas

Joining in! Can't wait to hear more about your trip

Thanks. I'm so excited to share with all of you. I'm even more excited that I took good notes so I could remember everything, well almost everything.

Originally Posted by DawnK

Here I am to join the fun!!!!

Great start so far!

Thanks Dawn.

[lissybri]

Originally Posted by MayraLR

Glad you're writing a trip report! Your kids have grown a lot, especially Jared. He doesn't look like a little boy anymore. Can we please stop time so our kids don't grow anymore?

I know Mayra, it's so sad. This is what they looked like on our last trip to Disney in 2012


Jared looked like a baby. Your boys are getting so big too. How old are they now?

[MayraLR]

Originally Posted by lissybri

I know Mayra, it's so sad. This is what they looked like on our last trip to Disney in 2012


Jared looked like a baby. Your boys are getting so big too. How old are they now?

The oldest is 14, middle kid is 11 and youngest is 9. I, too, look at the pics of our 2012 trip and my boys look so young.

[xwewhisper]

We recently stayed at Kidani and also felt like we made sooo many stops before DME finally got us there! But glad you were able to make the shuttle no problem after that phone scare and the rest of the trip in was uneventful!

[TheMadonna3]

I totally feel your pain about the phone. I'd be in the parking lot in a ball crying or running after strangers asking to use their phone so I could call someone to run keys over to me. I would DIE if that happened to me, so I'm glad you got through it!!

[Cam22]

I would have been in such a panic about my cell phone. So glad you were able to retrieve it. So nice to have a fairly uneventful trip to WDW and to arrive safe and sound. Can't wait for more.

[mcc0313]

How nice that they left you some breakfast snacks at the hotel. I would have been in a total panic about the cell phone, glad that you were able to retrieve it.

Sounds like a un eventful flight which is always good, glad your sister was ok on the flight.

I love that sight of the gates

Let the trip begin.

[disneydreamer33]

Oh man! I would have lost it about my phone too! I don't think I could have been quiet when the rolling eyes started from the other family. Glad the flight was uneventful. Sorry you didn't have your Magicbands for ME.

[shazza]

Glad everything worked out with the shuttle, the not-lost phone, and the plane ride. Now serious vacation mode begins.