TR: May 18-22 **Updated 5/28** COMPLETE About This Page:

[jhoshowski]

Originally Posted by bradk

i'm ashamed to say that here i am taking these photos and wondering who the heck that rude jerk was that was blocking my photos. i'm even more ashamed to say that it took me several minutes before i realized who it was.

EXACTLY the sort of thing I would do!!

[lukeandbrookesmom]

Thanks for sharing Brad - your P&P Party pics are awesome!

[carters_mom]

I'm all caught up. I'm so glad you decided to do a full trip reoprt Brad! I've really enjoyed reading it.

[bradk]

well still missing half a day, but thanks all hopefully i'll finish it off later today.

[bradk]

Day 5: Leaving

Knowing DME would have us leaving about 3 hours prior to our flight, I chose a flight out of JFK that would give us time to sleep in a little, have a finale breakfast at Chef Mickey's and then head out.

However, seeing how the kids reacted to characters they had already met, I called Disney Dining at 7 am and made a last minute attempt to dump my 10:50 Chef Mickey's (chosen to be the latest seating available for best character interaction) and got a 10:30 at 1900 Park Fare, the only time available. Close enough!

We packed and used remote airline check-in which fortunately didn't have that long of a line at the time. We left our carryons with luggage assistance and headed over to the bus stop.

We waited a bit for the MK bus and there was a bit of a line, but finally it came and we were the last ones able to get on. Got to the MK around 10:20 or so and walked over to the resort monorail. I asked the CM there if we could ride in front and she told us to go to the end and she'd take care of us. We walked all the way past one family who gave us an odd look for it. owell.

We waited a few minutes for a train, but it was full in front and they weren't getting off at MK. It was already 10:30 and we were gonna be late, so I figured it couldn't hurt to wait for another train - it's worth it. A few minutes later, the next monorail comes in. It has a family in front, but they get out. So we get in.

Lily loved the experience of riding in front and asked if we could do it when we come back after breakfast, which I didn't think was in the cards considering we had to be back by 12:30 to get our things and leave. Lonnie also had some item she bought at POP she wanted to exchange and the kids needed socks (and I had to convince her she could do this at GF because she really wanted to do this at POP *before* we went to breakfast).



We probably got there a little late but considering my ideal time was 10:50 anyway, no worries! We checked in and the woman at the desk confirmed the birthday and asked if Lonnie was wearing her button. I told her no and she asked if she needed another one and I told her it was okay (because Lonnie was so done with the buttons by now). Mary Poppins was greeting outside and when the kids were done with her, I decided I needed to challenge her myself and asked her what the pronounciation of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious backwards. She told me and all I could say was I'd have to accept it because I didn't know the real answer anyway and she gave me the look of death. Finally I conceded she had to be right because, by definition, she simply can't be wrong. She concurred. I walked back to my group and they now wanted to know what it is. Like I knew! So I told them to go ask her themselves and they did and Mary did it slowly this time, broken up into syllables (as if it helped!). I then went into smart butt mode and asked if she could spell it backwards and she told me yes, but she didn't have the time and I had to go eat breakfast. ouch.



So we get buzzed for the meal and the woman who seats us notices that it's Lonnie's birthday (as printed out on the slip), but where's the button? Lonnie doesn't want to wear one today. The CM won't hear of it and she goes and gets Lonnie a new button. Oh well for her.

We're seated, Lonnie gets a placemat signed by all the characters (from both breakfast and dinner) and a birthday crown that's evidently designed for someone a percentage of her age. The food selection was good and the quality was very good. Having done quite a few buffets, I was impressed with the quality but since all we had was good food this trip, it's lost on everyone else. I was much happier with the strawberry soup than I had been with the breakfast lasagna at Crystal Palace - it basically was just thinner strawberry yogurt to me.

Interaction was good, Alice and the Mad Hatter were making the rounds together. The Mad Hatter noted it was his unbirthday so we wished him a merry one. (FLASHBACK: As I look at the photo, I'm reminded of a tragic button incident. Note the Magical Gatherings button Jasmine has on. Evidently some guest at the hotel handed both the kids the buttons. What I forgot to mention on the MK day was that Lonnie conveniently forgot her birthday button on the day in MK, so while we were waiting to be seated, I went to City Hall and got her a new one and also got everyone an honorary citizen button as a penalty. Nobody wore those. But throw the Incredibles on a button and well.. but I digress).



As the last families got seated and the diners started dwindling, the real fun began. Mary Poppins joined the dining room and started circulating. She noticed Lonnie was wearing the birthday button now and actually apologized for not seeing it before, so that was nice of her.

So with only a few families left and all the characters roaming around, the inter-character-action was inevitable. Tigger fought (and won) Mary Poppins for her umbrella. She was not a happy camper. Eventually he gave it back, but only to try to borrow it again.



Alice came by and gave Stitch a good looksee and wanted to know why he was so heavy. As she picked him up, the birthday crown fell off, so I announced that she had de-throned him. I explained he's an interactive Stitch and I turned him on, but it appears his batteries were dead. Of course as I deal with him, the crown falls off again and Alice says this time I was the one who de-throned him, which of course makes me king (that last part was my own comment). Meanwhile, I can't help but notice Alice has lost her accent when she says this to me. Tsk tsk.

After breakfast, Lonnie went to go exchange her item for credit and buy the kids socks. I poked around the GF a bit and just took a few photos.



We took a cab back to POP and got our bags and had about 15-20 minutes to kill before the bus came so we all started playing with the hula hoops. The DME bus came and looked empty. It seems POP was its only stop and we definitely didn't fill it.

We got to the airport a couple of hours prior to the flight so we spent some time (window) shopping, particularly in the theme park stores. I grabbed some Universal brochures and told Jasmine we'd fake having gone to Universal. Nobody would know the truth but us.



After a bit, we went through security, boarded the plane shortly after and got home without incident.

..at least until a week later when I decide I need to go back.. tomorrow.

(to be continued ?)

[DyanKJ130]

Thanks for sharing your TR with us Brad! your photos!! How nice of you to take care of Lonnie & the girls the way you do!! Can't wait to read your next TR!!

[JaimeandChad]

What a nice TR. When are you going again?

[bradk]

umm.. 6 1/2 hours 4 nights at POFQ

[elbug10]

Great TR, Brad, and fabulous pics! for sharing your trip with us. You sure got in a lot of characters, and you gave me lots of ideas of things to see on my next trip (DeVine, Push, the different entertainment at WS in Epcot...) Can't believe you're going again so soon! Will there be a Part 2 to this TR?

[Colexis Mom]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us Brad

[SouthernBelle]

Brad,

What a wonderful trip report and beautiful pictures What a wonderful birthday surprise for Lonnie, it was truly magical. You were wonderful to take care of the girls. Can't wait to read your next TR.

[lauren-roxy]

Great trip report Brad!! I love 1900 Park Faire, it's one of my favorite places to eat! Thanks for sharing your trip with us and your fantastic photos!!!!

[jhoshowski]

What a wonderful trip report, Brad!! You are so lucky to be going again. . .

[tndisneyfam]

Wonderful TR Brad!!! Your pics are always awesome!! Can't wait to hear about part 2!!

[ilovedisney0_0]

Brad, the cake at CR was amazing! And I love that they made a customized menu for Lonnie...what an awesome souvenier!

OK, so I am a dummy , but WHO is the guy standing in the way of your shots during the parade??