My Best Trip Ever! A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making About This Page:

[KMB733]

I hate how crowded it is in Pixar Place. Sorry you had to deal with it.

Glad Evan is doing ok!

[mcc0313]

I love AK in the early morning before the crowds and the heat takes over. Glad you had such a wonderful safari ride...way to go with the birthday button

[JKnott17]

Sorry about the gridlock in Pixar Place, glad you were able to finally get out of it and over to Muppets 3D. I'll definitely be checking the times guide on our next trip so that we are not in that area when a LMA show lets out!

[Cam22]

Catching up on your TR today! Glad you enjoyed FotLK as it is my favorite live show at WDW, makes me cry every time. You are so right about the gridlock at DHS when LMA lets out. Total chaos! It can get really bad during Star Wars Weekends with the extra crowd, making me a bit claustrophobic. Thank goodness Evan is okay!

[I live with a 'Stitch'!]

Hi Holly!I have spent all of my down time at work the last two days reading your report! Love it!!
Evan is such a doll.
Can't wait for more.

[mommapants]

Originally Posted by lauriep

What a nice, relaxed morning it turned out to be. I just love it when I get a good safari driver. Makes such a difference. Sounds like yours was really great.

She really was and made the trip great.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Sorry some things weren't open for EMH! Glad you had a great ride on the safari and enjoyed the Lion King show!

I was ticked off at first but then thought how stupid that was and just made the most out of it.

Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark

Sounds like an excellent morning Holly! I your animal masks!! They are really neat. I may have to look around at some geniune african art myself.

I liked FotLK when we went, and it inspired me to go see the Broadway musical. OMG! I fell in love with it. I have seen it twice now. While, the FotLK is a great show, it now just doens't seem quite as magical to me somehow after seeing the Broadway production.

I saw the Broadway too but sort-s felt the same way. It was so hyped up I was expecting to be dazzled but after the opening scene it just was good-not dazzeling. Perhaps I should try it again now that things have faded in my memory. In June we are going to see Beauty and the Beast. (second time for me, first for Evan)

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Love the masks you got, and I have the exact spoons, bought directly in Africa, though!

I'd really like to get a few more things. I saw a really cute elephant that I'd like to get next time I'm there.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

What a wonderful morning!

Dylan is the same way about 'school'. Never wants to go in the morning, but wants to be the last one there too.

AHHH-it drives me crazy. I actually thought he might be having a problem with someone when he kept saying he didn't want to go. I think it is he doesn't want to got "right now"

Originally Posted by chezp

Wow, what an amazing birthday experience this is turning out to be!

I don't know if I'll ever be able to top it.

Originally Posted by honeybee723

Who honestly likes getting up early? Not me. But it looks like you ended up having a great morning after all. That birthday button is getting me all excited for our trip in May when Hope gets to wear hers.

Hope, being as cute as she is won't need that button to get extra attention but it was awesome.

Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG

GREAT AK morning! Man, Evan is gettin all kinds of B-Day attention!! And gettin signed up for "real" school, he really is growin up!

Growig up too fast. He did got a lot of extra attention.

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

Great morning at AK! And I love how much special attention Evan's birthday button is getting him.

I hope he didn't get too spoiled because his next trip will be around his birthday.

Originally Posted by KMB733

Sorry the morning started off a little rough, but that safari seemed to turn it all around!! Love the masks you bought too!

Thanks - I thought they were pretty cool. Nothing too over the top for me.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Glad Evan is OK, and that he got a little entertainment while waiting to go to the doctor!

OMG - if you could have seen him, for like 2hrs staring out the window.

Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark

That sounds crazy Holly! I have to say though, that I always feel like that place is crowded. I have decided after 3 trips in a row, it's the way it is laid out and the narrowness of it.

I know what you mean about the pics. I seem to take so many pics, like I have to take a pic of everything the first few days...each consecutive day after the pics become less and less.

Great chair!

I couldn't believe how congested the area was. I think they need to fix it. It really is a safety hazard.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Glad Evan's ok and that he had some entertainment right outside your window! That area in front of Toy Story is a mess all the time. I never made the connection between the big shows letting out and the crowds, though. I'll pay more attention to that in future. I must have hit one of those moments on my last trip when I was stuck in one spot on the scooter just like you were with the stroller. You made the right call, maneuvering to Muppets and then backtracking to HISTK.

UGH! it was awful. Next time I'll be sure to go while LMA is actually in progress.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Sorry for the gridlock in HS! And pixies for Evan. Glad he's okay!

He is fine still a little swollen and got a little black and blue mark but all that will heal in time.

Originally Posted by Jessie092408

I have finally gotten all caught up. I know everyone has already said this, but bless you for your patience with Christine. I would not have kept my mouth shut, and it would have been a battle of epic (and embarrassing) proportions at that point.

I had forgotten that they added Lightning McQueen to the show, I may have to see if David wants to go see it again - we weren't huge fans of the original.

I love all the surprises Evan is getting because of his birthday pin. Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip!

I wouldn't go to LMA just for McQueen, you would do better to do the meet and greet instead. I like the show OK but knew Evan would LOVE it, and he did.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Poor Evan! Glad he's ok.

I'm hoping we can make it to LMA this time - I'm sure the boys will love it.

Nice chair too - love the built in shade.

I wanted the shade and double cup holders. I'm sure I'll be using it alot in years to come as Evan really enjoys the sports so far (t-ball and soccer)

Originally Posted by chezp

Glad Evan's Ok.

My goodness, what a nightmare crowd at the Studios!

It was horrible, I've never seen anything like it.

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Great time at AK and at the Studios--I haven't seen LMA--I might have to try and squeeze it in next time! Sorry about the knock on Evan's head, but I'm glad everything is okay!

He is fine. If you do do LMA get out quick or just sit back and relax for a while and let the crowds pass by.

Originally Posted by KMB733

I hate how crowded it is in Pixar Place. Sorry you had to deal with it.

Glad Evan is doing ok!

He is doing fine. Next time I'll be better prepared to deal with Pixar Place.

Originally Posted by mcc0313

I love AK in the early morning before the crowds and the heat takes over. Glad you had such a wonderful safari ride...way to go with the birthday button

Last time I did AK it was in July so even early morning it was hot and humid so this was a nice break. After I got rid of the grumpies the morning was very pleasant.

Originally Posted by JKnott17

Sorry about the gridlock in Pixar Place, glad you were able to finally get out of it and over to Muppets 3D. I'll definitely be checking the times guide on our next trip so that we are not in that area when a LMA show lets out!

That would be a very good idea - stay way from the crush of people.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Catching up on your TR today! Glad you enjoyed FotLK as it is my favorite live show at WDW, makes me cry every time. You are so right about the gridlock at DHS when LMA lets out. Total chaos! It can get really bad during Star Wars Weekends with the extra crowd, making me a bit claustrophobic. Thank goodness Evan is okay!

Yup evan is just fine. I cried at Nemo, then I look over, mom is crying, sister is crying, Christine is teary eyed. My neice is like - why is everyone crying? You just need to be a parent to get it. - Thinking of you and Luke!

Originally Posted by I live with a 'Stitch'!

Hi Holly!I have spent all of my down time at work the last two days reading your report! Love it!!
Evan is such a doll.
Can't wait for more.

Thanks - I think Evan is a cutie too - not that I'm bias or anything. Thanks for following along.

[mommapants]

“A proper suitor”

Dinner tonight was 1900 Park Fare. Christine and her boys were tired from their day at Sea World and had been bugging her all week about room service so they stayed back at the hotel to swim and have room service dinner. The rest of us went over to GF for dinner with Cindy.

We checked in and were seated almost immediately, or immediately after our photo session.

The characters were not in our room yet and we were in the middle of the room so we knew we would have some time to hit the buffet before they all came around. I took Evan through the line and then I went up. The food was really good and the character interaction was fun. Cinderella was first. She was very regal and refined.



Next was Drizella. Now you may recall that Evan got in the habit of drawing every character a picture (at meals that is). So he was quickly scribbling something down for her and when she comes to our table he gives her the picture. In the most delicate and lady-like fashion…NOT she bellows across the room, YO BOB, BOB! This cast member comes over and she tells him this handsome prince (Evan) drew her a picture and to take good care of it. Bob heads off with drawing in hand and the pictures and autographs were done.


Then a few minutes later Anastasia comes over and again Evan gives her a picture. She is so overjoyed at receiving a gift from such a handsome prince she calls her mother over. Lady Termaine arrives at the table and Anastasia shows her the picture. She, LT, asked who is the one smitten with her daughter? Evan gleefully embarrassed says it was him. LT scans the table and sees my 12 year old nephew. He is the one hiding in the back because he is just too cool to be here. “A proper suitor” says Lady Termaine and drags him out of his seat to meet her beautiful daughter Anastasia.



Anastasia moves onto the next table and LT stays for autographs and photos. As all the kids were getting up for the photo LT very haughtily bosses them around. “Come, come children, assemble yourselves”.

OK I never said I was a great photographer but these all turned out really bad. All were
blurry and dark I had to lighten each of them. I’m not sure if a setting was off on my camera
(I usually just use auto) or if it was just the settings in the restaurant. Oh well you get the
idea if nothing else.

The characters really are great and I’m sure they spend hours preparing for their roles. They deserve every penny of their paychecks and probably quite a bit more too.

At the end of the meal our server brings Evan a free cupcake for his birthday. That brings the total of birthday pin surprises to 12 and it is also the end of the surprises too. But not too bad I’d have to say.

After dinner we finally made it over to Epcot to watch illuminations. It really was a now-or-never situation. It was F&WF so it was crowded. We found an okay spot near Canada but my sister walked along a little further to see if she could find something better. She found something closer to UK and we moved over. We found a spot where the kids could get up against the railing and we could stand behind them. About 10 minutes before the show we moved the trashcan that was there for the F&WF and that gave us a little more space.

My mom kept saying stuff like “I’m sure this couple next to us is just thrilled that we are all here” meaning she thought that they thought they would have a quiet evening with all this space around them to view the show. After about the 4th time she made some sort of reference to that I finally told her. “If they thought no one was going to fill in the empty space next to them then they are crazy” I guess she got the message.

Illuminations was the same as always. I like it but it isn’t my favorite. I think it’s too “artistic” for me. As a matter of fact I think it’s my least favorite nighttime show. I would have to rank them…MSEP, Fantasmic, Wishes, SpectroMagic and last IllumiNations. I didn’t see the Memories and Me castle show so I can’t rank that one just yet.

After Illuminations it was back to the hotel for a good night sleep as tomorrow would be our last day of vacation.

Coming Up Next
“Saying good bye to the MagicKingdom”

Birthday pin surprise final count: 12

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great time at 1900 PF!

[cubfancolleen]

Looks like a great dinner at PF! We've never done that one, and think we'd all enjoy the stepsisters.

I LOVE Illuminations - it is probably my favorite. Especially if you listen to the words in the narration and music. I cry like a baby every time I hear "We Go On".

[KMB733]

What a great time at 1900!!! I think it's so cute that Evan likes to draw pictures for the characters!

[lazanya]

What a fun time at PF!!

[disneyfreeeak]

I just read your entire report from (basically) start to finish after getting behind. I, too, am extremely impressed with how you felt with all the drama--I wouldn't have been the same way at all! And I am so glad Evan (who is so stinking adorable by the way) got the birthday surprises he deserved for wearing that pin .

[lauriep]

The character interaction at dinner is priceless! As great as the characters are, they get so much better with a little help, which Evan gave them with his drawings. SO SWEET!! An even dozen birthday surprises from wearing the pin--Not bad at all!!

[JKnott17]

Sounds like a great time at 1900 PF. Gotta love those stepsisters, they are a riot! I can't believe it's your last day tomorrow

[OneLittleSpark]

LOVE the character interactions at 1900 PF. Just love that place!! They make that meal worth every penny...food's pretty good too, but I go for the characters!
Christine had NO idea what she was missing, but I am sure you did! That is all, I won't be mean again!

About the LK on Broadway, really? As soon as Rafiki came out and at the end with the big drum....ugh, I get goosebumps! LOVE it! Although, I have made the rule that we are seeing some other show before I will consider LK again. My DD has been to the theatre 2 times and both times were LK. Next time I am thinking, Beauty & the Beast or Mary Poppins, depends what's around when I have the money. OH! AND...not a year we are doing WDW. When it's a WDW year, every extra dollar goes to that, and we don't do anything if it's not free!

Can't wait to hear about the end of your vacation. It seems like it just started...well except for....nevermind.