The "I'm Stuck on Figuring Out a Title for my Trip Report" Trip Report - UPDATED 7/5 About This Page:

[lauriep]

Beautiful early-morning photos! And the one of Gaby and Ben is so sweet.

[disneyknut]

just read your TR from start to finish!! GREAT job.. I am loving all of it.. I love the pics of the early morning coffee.. too beautiful. & can I add that Miss Gabby is so adorable beautiful.. love her smoldering brown eyes..

[DrDolphin]

What wonderful updates - I thought the story of you stumbling around in search of coffee at 415 in the morning was humerous - so there was not a coffee pot in the room???

[rlb38]

Those birthday chocolates look amazing! I would soak up all I could of the GF too.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Wendyismyname

Well since you have admitted to being the problem.............it's all your fault. I can see why they did start the barcode program though. Hey, you say you got them already? That was pretty fast and I hope that he doesn't outgrow them before his b-day. But if you think he will, speed mail them to me and I'll exchange them again in a couple weeks!

Oh heck, don't say that - hopefully I'm now set!

[Disneybine]

I'm so glad you took lots of pictures of the GF - it truly is a beautiful resort! And that birthday treat for Michael looks very yummy

I have a question: In that birthday treat pic, there are your resort mugs in the background. Did you get those at the GF? It's the first time I've seen that type of mug, actually. All I've seen so far are the car-styled ones, you know, with a smaller lower part so they fit into the cupholder in the car? And the red design is only on the top part of those, the lower part is just white. I love how the design is all over your mugs

[DisneyMitzi35]

Just got caught up reading your TR...OMG I can't believe how HUGE Josh is. He was so much shorter than you last time I saw him. I love all the pictures you have taken, can't wait to read more.
Mitzi

[I live with a 'Stitch'!]

Wendy! I just found your TR and am enjoying every post!

Great review of T-Rex; we are planning on surprising the kids with lunch there in just a few weeks! I am definetly going to take your advice and order the mushroom ravioli !

Your pics of the GF at sunrise are absolutely beautiful!

More please!

[Wendyismyname]

Originally Posted by krisk11

Nice pictures of the sunrise. I've never seen a sunrise at Disney and probably never will. I enjoy my sleep too much and am usually up too late the night before.

My dear, that's what friends are for right? You enjoy your sleeping because you know I will take early morning pictures for you!! BUT, you need to take after 9pm shots for me because I'm usually ready for bed by then!

Originally Posted by DrDolphin

What wonderful updates - I thought the story of you stumbling around in search of coffee at 415 in the morning was humerous - so there was not a coffee pot in the room???

Oh sure, there was a coffee pot in the room, but what they give you in the packages for coffee is a joke! I didn't want to get into my Folgers Singles I brought yet.

Originally Posted by Disneybine

I'm so glad you took lots of pictures of the GF - it truly is a beautiful resort! And that birthday treat for Michael looks very yummy

I have a question: In that birthday treat pic, there are your resort mugs in the background. Did you get those at the GF? It's the first time I've seen that type of mug, actually. All I've seen so far are the car-styled ones, you know, with a smaller lower part so they fit into the cupholder in the car? And the red design is only on the top part of those, the lower part is just white. I love how the design is all over your mugs

I saw both the car style and the other and I think they are phasing out the car style. It fits in the car though because it is tapered.

Originally Posted by DisneyMitzi35

Just got caught up reading your TR...OMG I can't believe how HUGE Josh is. He was so much shorter than you last time I saw him. I love all the pictures you have taken, can't wait to read more.
Mitzi

Hi Mitz!!!! So glad to see you!! Joshua is 6ft 5inches tall. He got taller than me when he was in 6th grade. He'll be a Freshman this school year!!!

[Wendyismyname]

Saturday June 13, 2009

Arriving at the MK.

We hopped on the monorail and wouldn’t you know it, my luck was holding out—the MK was the first stop!

I was probably the most excited about our start to the day! You see, I LOVE the opening ceremony at the Magic Kingdom. I love Singing in the Rain, I love the Good Morning song(just ask the kids how well I sing it when I’m trying to get them to roll out of bed for school!). We got there so early that we got “front row” standing for the train and we were right by the hula hoops. Gabby tried but failed. I could not stand there and make a fool of myself trying, but I so wanted to.
It was hot. It was so humid!! I’ll take a hot and humid day at WDW over a hot and humid day (nearly) anywhere else. You know?!

It was getting close to opening time and I sent a text to one of the most special people in my life and said, you’re going to get a call from me in a few minutes, but you won’t hear me at all and I won’t be able to hear you at all and I hope it works!! She texted back and said Okay!!
So, I had her number dialed and once I saw the Mayor come out, I pressed the send button! Luckily for me, I had a great signal and it worked because my BFF got to listen to the opening ceremony while sitting at a softball tournament! The only thing that would have made it better was if she and her daughter were with me! I miss you Kris!

Some random shots while we were waiting.






It's blurry, but it says Keeping Dreams on Track Walter E Disney







Josh isn’t as fun to tickle anymore because he’s so much stronger than me, but I risked it and got this bit of a smile

Ben took this one, it’s one of my favorite shots


continued

[Wendyismyname]

It goes without saying (but I’m saying it anyway) that she knew I had to hang up and get to walking before the crowd ran me over.
I am happy to report that during the walk under the train track, only one person got a flat tire from the stroller.
First up, we HAD to head to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Fritz, the 14 year old, my all time favorite horse


He's gorgeous!


Feeling like we were heading in the cattle chute:













We took the “shortcut” to Frontierland by going over the bridge to Adventureland and it was there I claimed my second victim. I ran right over the side of his left foot. I apologized up and down and told him he should feel special that he was my first victim today(I conveniently forgot about the one under the train) and his mother thought that was the funniest thing.
This day in the MK was designed to do the things that Michael and Gabrielle have never done before. So first up was sending the guys to get FastPasses for Splash while we waited. I was nervous about the crowds, in trusting touringplans.com with which park to do on what day—they were right in this case at least!! Soon enough the guys were back and we were walking onto BTMRR. It was showing a 10 or 15 minute wait. Um, no, it was a walk on. I was nervous because all I can picture is Gabby flying out of the ride, but of course she didn’t because I had a hold of her. She screamed and squealed and threw her arms up in the air! She loved it! I don’t know if Michael screamed or yelled or even did a woohoo because they were behind me and Gabby was quite loud. Okay, me too cause I love that ride! It was even better because we were in the last car, Josh having the very last row.
As soon as we got off, they asked, can we go again? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? So a quick stop at the water fountain and we were walking back on! I quickly texted Kris to tell her the very first ride was a such a success we were walking on again!
This time we were in the first car, with Gabby and I right behind the train. I do like the back better, but this was fun. All too soon we were off that ride and heading to Splash that was showing 20 minute wait at about 9:40am. But first a bathroom break! After all, tt had been an hour since anyone had to go!
We of course wanted to ride it, so we did. It wasn’t 20 minutes. We never stopped until we were actually at the gate getting ready to board our log! I was loving this touringplans.com advice!
Of course, Michael and Gabby enjoyed this ride as much as BTMRR!! Of course they wanted to go again and since FastPasses were now ready, we went! Walking on and on and not stopping again until the loading gate! Second ride was just as good and they loved it just as much!

[Wendyismyname]

Done with Frontierland, we head into Adventureland and walked right on to POTC, it showed just a 5 minute wait. That ride is such a joy and I swear the audio seemed so much better than I’ve ever heard it before.
After POTC it was coming up towards 11am and we strolled out and saw that the Pirate and Parrot restaurant was open. Josh of course wanted Pecos Bill and I asked a CM “aren’t these two connected?” Oh yes was the reply and they showed Josh where to go. I gave him the cash and told him to find us we’d be eating here. Meanwhile, Ben and Gabby went to get us a table and Michael helped me. It was a great thing since Michael was wearing his b-day button, because after ordering, the CM announced that we had a birthday and they all came down to our window and sang the Happy Birthday song like only Disney can do! He was speechless and managed a Thanks with a big grin. Being the bad mother that I am, I forgot to take a picture because I was enjoying the moment too!! Michael also got to pick out a dessert which of course was chocolate cake!
Ben and I both got the taco salad and Michael and Gabrielle got the quesadillas kids meal. I love how they give you the shell with the meat and you go to the toppings bar and fill the rest. I sure did, even though I love meat, I piled on the lettuce, maters, onions, cheese and taco sauce.
Josh soon found us(lucky us)and I swear, he ate that burger in 2 bites.
Some random shots:






Some advertising




The man is crazy about WDW, here's the geeky proof!




We like to put our hands in front of the camera at the last minute

[Wendyismyname]

After cooling down and enjoying our lunch, we checked the wait for Jungle Cruise and Tiki Room. Even though the wait for Jungle Cruise was 20 minutes, the FP return time was 40 minutes away, and the Tiki room was 5 minutes, so we FP the Jungle Cruise and entered the Tiki Room!!

[Wendyismyname]

There are no pictures inside the Tiki Room, we just enjoyed the show and saw it through Michael and Gabby’s eyes as it was their first time seeing it! I love the show(but it’s not as good as my BEARS).
Afterwards, we walked over to the Jungle Cruise. It was down to a 15 minute wait and something told me to go ahead and standby.
This was another first for Michael and Gabby.
We were on the left side, all the way in the front and we had a great skipper.
Waiting in line

Gabby took these


Michael, why are you smiling?










On the Cruise













I love water, whether it’s from the front or the BACK








It really was one of the best Jungle Cruises I’ve taken and I feel I got my monies worth.

[cindybelle]

Flora Dorable, you and your whole family! Wendy, I am enjoying this TR so much and all your photos (yes, even the fuzzy ones ). You've got some great pics in all this -- so glad you didn't lose them all!

Hey, if you & I ever end up in the same resort at the same time, I will make a date to meet you at 4 a.m. -- I'm famous for pulling that. You really had me with your description of scaring the mousekeepers while you hunted for coffee.