The Ducks are Back...A Birthday, An Anniversary and a Grand Gathering - FINAL THOUGHTS, Finally **Updated on 6/4** About This Page:

[bsblady01]

more please

[dsteiny23]

So, we donned our costumes and right from the get-go at the Poly, we got a lot of great comments.



Then we took the monorail over to the MK for the MNSSHP. This was our first time and we were so excited! We hit up photopass by the castle before going to dinner.


Birthday button…free…Anniversary button…free…three adorable boys in color coded matching shirts and hats…free…husband who will wear full Donald Duck costume including sailor hat, big red bow tie, giant orange felt duck feet and fuzzy duck butt shorts…PRICELESS!!

(I swear I fell in love with him all over again after this night )

First we headed over for dinner at LTT. We’ve never eaten here before and we loved the turkey dinner and trimmings. This was our first TS and the chef came out and went over everything and made sure anything that came to the table was fine for both “Dewey’s” and “Louie’s” food allergies. The characters also had a Halloween twist on their colonial costumes and each one had a great reaction to our costumes. No talking, of course, but a lot of hopping and clapping. (That seemed to be the theme for the night with all the masked characters).





After dinner we got FPs for JC because it was still early and the party hadn’t started yet. Then while we waited we walked right onto POC. Another time we were able to just walk onto a dark ride with Jason at least once. But, alas…as far as he was concerned…not again. This was our first ride on POC since the update and we really liked the changes. The waterfall effect with Davey Jones is amazing.



(Okay, so by now you've noticed, a 13 year old Hewey is a “bit” out of proportion to our Dewey and Louie )

We still had time so we went on Aladdin’s Carpets. And right when we were all being told about how to board, the CM said “Okay, is everyone ready?” We all yelled yes but he said “Not yet…first we are all going to sing Happy Birthday to Dawn”. And everyone in the queue joined in. Another magic little moment.

(Okay, my birthday was a week before we left, but being as this was my “birthday present” I wore that pin for 10 days!!! Yeah…I milked it…that’s right! )

Then onto the JC. Love those corny jokes. They never disappoint. After that we decided to head over to Tomorrowland to ride one of my “faves” the TTA. Then we hit Buzz and I still managed to kick some DH butt even with Jason doing the steering…I don’t recall Buzz being a thrill ride before, but I was a bit dizzy after his driving.

By the time we got off of Buzz the party was in full swing and there were lines galore for candy and characters. While there we got Buzz Lightyear’s stamp and pic.



Then we headed to Toontown. We rode Barnstormer…again the first and only time Jason would ride. (Is it just me, or are the seats on Barnstormer really uncomfortable?? ) Then we decided to go see Minnie…bad idea! This was the longest line we waited on the entire 10 days. It was quite deceiving. You walk in and get through the first couple rooms and then hit a dead stop at the kitchen. Then it winds around the backyard to the gazebo. Well, we were there and decided to stick it out. I’m glad we did. Minnie’s costume was great and she took a lot of time with us because of our costumes. Hopping and clapping and pointing us each out to the photopass guy.



Then we went down the Alice in Wonderland candy trail back to Tomorrowland. I guess they didn’t want to be stuck with too much candy after tonight so they just kept dumping it in huge handfuls. And because 2 of our boys have allergies and we are the caring parents that we are, and not wanting to jeopardize their health…we ate all that we could. Before heading to find a spot for the fireworks Craig and Zach went on SM and I hung with the little boys and fed them lots of sugar. I needed them to stay awake for the fireworks and parade. After that we went to find a spot for the fireworks just on the bridge from TL to the castle. We had taken some PP advice and did some things during the first parade and were going to hit up the second. Standing still and quiet for the first time that night, we almost lost Jason and Tyler to sleep, but the fireworks started just in time. What a great, great show!

…Look out Below…

[dsteiny23]

…Okay – I broke it into 2 –

Now, this entire time, we’re trying to find Donald and no CM I asked seemed to be able to point us to him. So, after the fireworks we headed to Frontierland to find a spot for the parade early so the boys could get a front row seat. We managed to get a quick pic with Woody while we were waiting for the parade to start.





I LOVED this parade. I got goosebumps when I heard the clip-clopping of the Headless Horseman coming through Frontierland. You could hear him before you could see him and when you did see him it was absolutely amazing. The boys loved the parade too, and being in the front and in costume, got a lot of interaction with the characters and parade members. I really liked the HM section of the parade and the gravediggers were awesome.


After the parade, we walked around looking for our Donald and on our way through Adventureland we found a sign that said “Adventure Friends Encounter”. When I asked, we found out that inside were characters from Adventure movies like Lion King, Jungle Book and Tarzan. Here we got Timon, Baloo and King Louie and then had a great time with Tarzan and the gang. While we were on line to meet Tarzan and Jane, the character handler told us that Tarzan was going to take a break but Turk would be coming out. The boys were a little disappointed, but they were okay about it. We kept talking to the handler who loved our costumes and when he went to tell Tarzan that it was time to go in, Tarzan told him he wanted to wait to meet the 3 little ducks. I thought that was awesome and just another magic moment. Then when we got up there, he was so in character and got so into talking to our boys. Having Jason and Tyler show him their muscles and how fast they can run and then declaring “You fast…you live with me in jungle”. It was one of the best character interactions, if not the best, that we had the entire time. AND…this handler knew exactly where we could find Donald!! At his dance party in Fantasyland.














So, after the adventure encounter, we booked it over to Fantasyland to see Donald. When we showed up at the dance party, he literally stopped dancing with everyone and came running over to us. Hopping, jumping, clapping and pointing at me, putting his hand on his heart and making pitter-patter moves.







Then…we did some serious dancing.





(Dancing with the Stars move over...It's Dancing with the Ducks!!)


We completely ran those ducks ragged and had an absolutely fabulous time!!! (We’ll be headed back this year and already trying to think of costumes that will live up to these).

Next up…our first day at DHS…

[KMB733]

Awesome costumes! I can't believe DH wore the Donald suit, what a trooper! Another great update, sounds like a fun time at the party. Can't wait to read more!

[mcc0313]

Loved the costumes...they were great . Sounds like you had a great time at the party. Can't wait to hear more...

[wayneava81]

THose costumes are the best! Way to go for your DH for wearing his!

[Kristen C.]

Love the costumes! I think I'd fall in love with my DH over & over again if he was willin' to do that for me too....:-)

[DyanKJ130]

Great update!! Your costumes are amazing! (Look comfortable too) the dancing with the ducks!! Looking forward to more

[MaryEL8775]

OMG I totally got bowled over by Tarzan with his interaction with the boys. That will truly be an amazing moment for you.

[bsblady01]

more please

[chezp]

I love the costumes! How neat that you found Donald - we never saw him in either park (Walt Disney World or Disneyland) on our recent trip.

[Colexis Mom]

What a great time you guys had at the party!! Love the costumes and the pictures!! More please

[nursemom]

The costumes are great and your husband is such a great sport!

[elisa1006]

Oh the costumes are adorable! Your DH is great for participating!

[ccmom]

Love all your pictures, all your kids are so cute. The parents aren't too bad either! Besides your dh being such a good sport, your 13 yo is too. He looks like he really enjoys being with your youngers. I'm really enjoying your tr.