The Big Disney Birthday Bash Trip Report Updated 11/30 - Day 5 - 11/9/05 -EPCOT! About This Page:

[Luv4My4]

Who: Luv4my4 (Stacey, age 34, 8th trip to WDW), DH (Jimmy, age 33, 6th trip to WDW), DD#1 – Erin age 15 (when we leave) 4th trip to WDW, DD#2 - Shannon age 7 3rd trip to WDW, DD#3 - Katie age 4 (when we leave) 2nd trip to WDW, DD#4 – Molly age 1 (when we leave) 1st trip to WDW!! DM & DF (7th trip to WDW), DMIL & DFIL (5th trip to WDW) also traveling with my Aunt’s Friends Carol & Cathy who will be on their first trip to WDW.
When: November 5-13, 2005
Where: Port Orleans Riverside
Why Celebrating the 16th, 5th and 2nd birthdays of three of my four girls!!!

I actually started planning this trip as soon as we got back from our trip in December, 2002. We had originally planned on going back in November, 2004 but in March, 2003 I found out that I was pregnant again and due the first week in November, 2003 so we decided to put the trip off until the baby was 2. Of course, I started planning a trip to celebrate Molly’s 2nd Birthday on November 12th soon after she was born and since two of my other girls’ were born the same week (Katie will be 5 on November 7th & Erin will turn 16 on November 10th) and the dates worked out perfectly I made a Ultimate Park Hopper package reservation for Saturday, November 5, through Sunday, November 13th 2005 to celebrate all their birthdays and the Big Disney Birthday Bash was born!!!

Originally, this trip was supposed to include 24 people including DH & I and our 4 girls, my DF & DM, DFIL & DMIL, DB & DSIL, DS & DBIL and DNephew, DSis, DH’s DC and her husband and their two children, DH’s DAunt & My DAunt & her two friends. But one by one people had to drop out: First my DB & DSIL found out that DSIL was pregnant and due in December so they obviously couldn’t go, then DH’s cousin called me and said she was pregnant too and due in January so they couldn’t go either and her Mom (DH’s aunt) cancelled as well because she didn’t want to go without her daughter and grandchildren, then my DS called and said that since she and her DH had bought a trailer home at the Jersey shore they couldn’t afford to do both and they had to cancel, finally my DAunt realized that she had to downsize her home and bought a new condo but she still hasn’t sold her house and is carrying two mortgages so she can’t afford to go so that leaves us where we are now with 12 people (8 adults, 1 teenager & 3 kids)!!

When I originally planned this trip I didn’t know anything about discounts or Annual Passes, etc. I just booked the package and thought I was happy with that. Then I was talking to my friend Dina (HappyMommy) and told her how much the trip was going to cost me (more than $3,335.14 not including airfare) and she told me about the wonderful people at Passporterboards (Thanks Dina!) and about the discounts available if you had an Annual Pass. That sounded good to me so I logged on got my screen name and started asking questions and researching. I realized that Dina was right and that it would save me a ton of money if either DH or I got an annual pass. (In the end both DH & I got an annual pass and the “evil” AP made us take a trip without the kids in January, 2005 [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]). Anyway, I realized that the size of our trip (still 24 people at that time) and the number of rooms we would need (8) and the idea of trying to get a discount AP rate for most of them was too much for me so I transferred my whole reservation to Wendy at Your Magical Journeys who has been wonderful through all the changes and cancellations!!

With our reservations in good hands I was at a loss, the trip was still about a year away and I had no real planning to do so I just kept coming here to talk to you all of you guys to fuel my Disney obsession (this obsession is what caused DH to cave and tell me to book the January trip because I think he realized that I was a little depressed and needed some serious Disney magic [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]!!!) All I had to do at this point was anxiously wait for Southwest to open up my dates for airfare. After several nail biting months they finally did and I have never seen $79.00 or $99.00 fares go so quickly and to top it off I was having computer problems which kept causing me to get timed out while I was trying to book. I finally had to call Southwest in tears to book over the phone before the airfare was more than DH & I had agreed to spend. We had discussed it and agreed that if we could get airfare for $1,500.00 or less we would fly but if not we would have to drive. Well let me say this about that, I love my DH dearly but he is not the most patient of people and the thought of driving something like 18 hours with him and the four kids in the car is NOT how I imagined starting off this vacation. I was able to get airfare for the 6 of us for $1,529.00 round trip and he agreed to the extra $29.00 so thank God we were flying!!

When the Annual Passholder Best Rate program was first announced I was pretty upset because I thought that it was a bad idea and really hated the idea of a non-refundable deposit but then I figured that some kind of discount was better than none and barring a huge catastrophe there was no way I was cancelling this trip (in which case I probably wouldn’t care about losing the deposit) so I told my TA Wendy to go ahead and book three rooms under the Best Rate Program (for me, my parents and my in-laws) under my DH’s AP. I didn’t rebook my Aunt’s room under Best Rate on my AP because I had a feeling that she was going to cancel and then they would either lose their deposit or possibly get charged the $50.00 change fee which would almost cancel out the savings anyway (Wendy was eventually able to get my Aunt’s room rebooked at the general public discount that was released last month).

Finally, finally, finally it was time to make my ADRs for the trip and I got everything I wanted including CRT [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] for the exact day that I wanted it!! Now all I had to do was wait for the park hours to come out to see if my ADRs were still workable (I made them using past park/EMH hours) and when they FINALLY came out in mid-September, much later than usual, I was lucky enough to find that all my ADRs were perfect, I didn’t have to change a thing!!!

I have been really worried about the crowds for this trip since we are going during “Jersey Week”, the last week of the Food & Wine Festival and the second weekend we are there is Super Soap Weekend at Disney Studios. We are really used to low crowds during the times we normally go so if it is crowded that is going to be a big adjustment for us (especially DH who doesn’t do so well with crowds, the main reason we try to go off-season during the school year). Hopefully it won’t be too bad but what’s the difference I will still be in Disney World!!!

Here is the itinerary I hope to follow while we are there:

Saturday 11/5
MK Hours 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Arrival Port Orleans Riverside probably around 6:00 p.m.
Our flight is at 12:55 p.m. and lands at 3:25 after getting baggage and rental car and driving to resort I am figuring 6:00 p.m. is a good estimate.
I am not really planning any meal for today we will just wing it, eat in a park or at the food court.
Magic Kingdom is open until 9:00 p.m. today and I have found out that The Haunted Mansion is closing for refurbishment on Sunday, 11/6 so since we definitely want to ride this at least once we will be heading to the Magic Kingdom to do that. We may be able to catch the Wishes fireworks tonight which might be better since tomorrow will be an early day.

Sunday 11/6
Magic Kingdom

Breakfast - Cinderella’s Royal Table - 8:20 a.m.
Lunch – snack in the park
Dinner – Counter-service at the park (Peco’s Bill’s?) or the hotel.
I am hoping to stay at MK to see Wishes (MK’s fireworks)
Although since Breakfast is so early we might have to go back to the room for
a nap at some point if the kids (or adults) get too tired.

Monday 11/7
KATIE’S BIRTHDAY!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/birthday.gif[/img]
Animal Kingdom

Breakfast in the room
Lunch Counter Service at the park – maybe Flame Tree Barbecue
Dinner – Hoop Dee Doo Revue 7:15 p.m.

I thought Animal Kingdom would be best here since we don’t usually do too much here and we can probably do it in a ½ day or so and then head back to the room to takes naps.

Tuesday 11/8
Disney/MGM Studios

Breakfast in the room
Lunch – Unplanned
Dinner – Hollywood & Vine – 5:30
Possibly Downtown Disney for shopping


Wednesday 11/9
EPCOT

Breakfast in the room
Lunch & Dinner – Eat our way around the World at the Food & Wine Festival?
Hopefully see Illuminations if the kids are over their fear of fireworks.
Maybe walk to the Boardwalk after EPCOT

Thursday 11/10
Erin’s 16th Birthday!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/birthday.gif[/img]
Disney MGM Studios

Breakfast in the room
Erin chose MGM as the park she wanted to go to on her birthday. We’ll probably eat Lunch there.
Dinner – Ohana (Erin chose this restaurant for her birthday Dinner)
7:40 p.m.

Friday 11/11
Shannon’s Special Day (Since Shannon will not be celebrating a birthday like her sisters we decided to make this her “special day” she will basically just be wearing a Lizzie McGuire outfit that I bought her specifically for this day and she will get to ride her favorite rides.)
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast in the room
Lunch unplanned
Dinner: Whispering Canyon Café – 7:20 p.m.

Saturday 11/12
Molly’s 2nd Birthday [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/birthday.gif[/img]
Unknown Park
I don’t know what park to do this day, Magic Kingdom is probably what Molly would enjoy most but we will be there the day before and I don’t normally like to do MK on a Saturday. We can’t do MGM because of the Super Soap Weekend and this is the last weekend of the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT so that might be crowded too. We will have to play this one by ear I think. Maybe MK for awhile and then EPCOT?
Breakfast – Chef Mickey at the Contemporary
Lunch - ???
Dinner - ???

Sunday 11/13
Depature Day [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Breakfast in the room
Probably Downtown Disney for last minute shopping and our traditional family pictures with Mickey if we don’t get it done earlier in the week.
Lunch – Earl of Sandwich or McDonald’s (probably McD’s if the kids have their way)
Dinner at home in Philly [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/36/36_1_44.gif[/img]

[katspjs]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Welcome back Stacey! Great start. Looking forward to reading more!

[DrDolphin]

Great Start!!! Sounds like quite the trip!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Stacey [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Can't wait to hear all about it [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[soccermomof2]

Thanks, Stacey. Can't wait to read your TR. Your signature pic of the girls is precious. I hope you all had a great time!

[Happymommy]

Welcome Back, Stacey!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear more!!! Hurry Back lol!!!!!! I hope you guys had a wonderful time!!!!

[lauren-roxy]

Great start Stacey!!!! I can't wait to read all about your trip!!!!

[PrincessSharon]

Great start! I can't wait to hear about all the birthdays [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/birthday.gif[/img] and Shannon's "special day" (which just happens to be my birthday)! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[lonereb]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks, Stacey. Can't wait to read your TR. Your signature pic of the girls is precious. I hope you all had a great time!

[/ QUOTE ] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yeahthat.gif[/img]

[iamgrumpy]

Stacey [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/welcome3.gif[/img] home! I can't wait to read more I love your report so far!

That picture of the girls in you signature is so cute!

Amy

[simbarel]

Great start, Stacey. That photo is definitely Allearsnet.com Photo of the Week material. What a magical way to spend 3 birthdays and a special day. Can't wait to read more!

[Luv4My4]

The Birthday Bash trip is finally here!!!

We woke up to get ready to go at about 8:00 a.m. The kids had a quick breakfast and Erin gave them baths so I could finish packing. Around 9:00 a.m. after my shower I realized that I didn’t have a bag to check Katie’s carseat so I ran to a close Babies R Us to get a car seat cover. When I returned Jimmy had mostly packed the car except for our carryons. We had 9 bags to check and 5 carryons plus the carseat and stroller. We left for the airport at 10:40 a.m. and arrived at 11:05 a.m. We checked the bags with Skycap so we didn’t have to drag them and the kids through the airport. Jimmy got in touch with his friend who works at the police station there and had arranged parking for us and his friend met us at Southwest Departures and took the car to park in the police lot for the week. We got through security without too much aggravation and got to our gate with plenty of time to spare.


The kids at the airport waiting to board the plane

Our flight was right on time and we were in the air by 12:55 p.m. The flight was pretty uneventful. Katie decided that she REALLY doesn’t like taking off so I was holding her hand and Shannon's hand and when I looked across the aisle I could see Jimmy holding Molly's hand and Molly was holding the hand of her Cinderella doll


I don't know if you can see it but if you look close you can see Molly holding Cinderella's hand in her right hand [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Katie cried that she was scared until we were in the air and Molly cried off and on until Shannon gave her the DVD player and she watched some of Shark Tale until she fell asleep. Shannon & Katie colored and drew for most of the flight until Molly fell asleep and then Shannon & I watched Pirates of the Carribean until they announced that we needed to put away our electronic equipment because we were getting ready to land!! We arrived in Orlando at 3:10 p.m. 25 minutes ahead of schedule!!!

As soon as we arrived at baggage claim, our luggage arrived. This was amazing to us because we usually fly US Air and always have to wait forever for our bags. I called my Dad to let him know that we had arrived and were in the process of getting our bags (both my parents and my in-laws drove down) and my Dad told me he was already at the Port Orleans Riverside waiting for us. That was great since all of our rooms were under the BRP so Jimmy had to be there with his AP at check-in. About 5 minutes later my Mom called and asked me what we were doing? I told her we were done getting out luggage and we were waiting by the door for Jimmy to pull around with the rental van. My Mom said that they were driving to ESPN Café because my Dad wanted to see part of the Penn State game??? WHAT!!! We would be there in half an hour and he left??? (My Dad is a little OC and when he gets something in his head there is no stopping and he wanted to see the score of the Penn State game[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]) My Mom said to call them when we were 10 minutes away. Uhhh…that will be like 20 minutes… Whatever.


The Girls in the car on the way to Port Orleans Riverside


Molly was excited to be going to Disney World!




My favorite sign in the world!

We arrived at POR around 4:30 p.m. and check-in was a breeze. Having three ressies under Jimmy’s AP on the BRP was no problem at all. My in-laws were there when we arrived and my parents got back from ESPN Café before we finished checking in so that worked out too. We got most of our requests. We were in Building 27 which was close to the main building and bus stop as I had requested and we were all grouped together in 4 rooms from 2741 through 2744 but we weren’t on the first floor which my father was unhappy about since Alligator Bayou has no elevators. He called the front desk to request a 1st floor room but the CM said they were 100% booked and couldn’t accommodate our request until Sunday in Building 34 which is much further from the Main Building, Food Court and Bus Stop so he decided we could stay where we were thank goodness.

We unloaded the car and started getting ready to go the Magic Kingdom and when I was getting something out of my large toiletries bag I found out that the airport screeners had chosen that bag to open and go through and everything was jammed back in and they broke the baby soap and left the baggie I had stored it in open so there was baby soap all over everything in one half of the bag. I was really annoyed since it had taken me a couple of days to pack that bag the way I wanted it so that nothing would get broken. Oh well, I rinsed off what I could and finished getting ready to go to the Magic Kingdom!!! My DMIL & DFIL decided not to go to MK since they were tired from all the driving (they had just left the day before and drove almost straight through) so it was just me, Jimmy & my girls and my DM & DF on our way to the Magic Kingdom!!!

Next: Day 1, Part 2: 'Rella's House

[SuperKate]

YAY! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] Such a great start! Can't wait for more, your girls are soooo cute[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[DrDolphin]

What a great update -- and I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] your new sig pic!!

[katspjs]

The girls look so excited! Great update.