We Turned Her Into A Disney Lovin', Character Huggin', Thrill Ridin' Girl! COMPLETED 7/11 About This Page:

[KMB733]

[queen2]

Hope Selah did well in Special Olympics. My son has been involved in SO since he was 8, he is now 40.

[Cam22]

Hope you all are feeling much better very soon!

[benjiboo25]

I am just getting into this TR...

We are staying at POR for the first time next August. I have been a bit nervous about feeling squished with 3 kids in the room...but if 3 adults and 2 kids can manage--we should be fine!

In reading your TR, I am connecting with your family's need to plan and adapt based on the needs of one person...Our middle child has ASD. Our first trip tpo WDW, everything seemed to revolve around her needs--when she was unhappy--we all were. However, I was a WDW newbie and did not have enough experience and information to really plan for her needs while also allowing others to have a great trip. My re-do the next year was my way of righting all of my wrongs...and it was amazing.

I am hoping that our August trip will be able to focus on everyone;s needs more than jst keeping Hannah happy so that they rest of us can also have fun. She will be 8 and has been to WDW twice so I am expecting her to adapt easier next time.

[shnewell]

Hope Asher is feeling better -- stomach viruses are no fun! :

Good luck to Selah at Special Olympics! What event(s) will she participate in?

[MayraLR]

Finally, I'm all caught up! What wonderfula park days you've had so far. I love the photopass pictures.Glad that Selah is doing ok and is able to enjoy the parks. And tell Asher that he's a trooper because he was brave enough to go on TOT. My son didn't even want to try it or RnRC.

[Chancho]

Just caught up with your TR. what a wonderful time your family must have had. Our last trip to WDW we stayed at POR and we loved it. I hope that my 8 yr old son will be able to do the Jedi Academy when we go in November...I hope it goes all year long. I am looking forward to hearing more of your wonderful memories very soon.

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by LouigiAnne

The Photo Pass Pictures are fantastic!! The one's with Selah & Bell so beautiful. And Asher Jedi battle with Darth Vador were Great too!!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by HollyH

Great update! I can't blame Asher for changing his mind about RnRC. I have never even gotten up the nerve to get in line. Sorry to hear that you weren't feeling well. Hopefully the meds and the rest will do the trick and you'll feel better the next morning.

I was really glad he changed his mind because as much as I love that ride I was not feeling up to it. I am hoping that he will want to go next time though. It really is such a fun ride.

Originally Posted by alexsmommy0412

Love the Pictures! Great end to the day! Tom had the same allergy problems as well. So proud of Asher for surviving ToT!

Thanks! Allergies

Originally Posted by shnewell

Great Photopass pictures, especially the ones of Asher fighting Darth Vader! Also love the photos of Selah with Belle and the one of the two of you walking together.

Good for Asher for riding ToT! My boys, especially Jacob, are thrill-seekeers, but even they really don't like to ride ToT. I hope he'll get up the nerve for RnR -- it's such a great ride!

Sorry you weren't feeling well. Glad you were able to call it a night and get some rest.

Thanks! Asher had a great time fighting Darth Vader! We were so glad he was able to get in. I was really excited about how good the photopass pics came out. It is really hard to get a good picture of Selah sometimes because she does not stand still for a picture.

We were really proud of Asher for going on that too. I think next time he will probably go on RnRC. At least I hope so. Jamie and I both love that ride.

Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark

Subscribing. Sounds like a great trip so far! Love the pics of both the kids. Selah looks so happy in some of them, and it sounds like you have had some awesome moments with her.

Asher looks so happy! I just have loved seeing his ear to ear smile in every pic.

Your whole trip has made me have the same expression on my face. Can't wait to hear more.

Thanks for joining in! Glad you are enjoying following along!

Originally Posted by chezp

Great updates! Sorry about the nightmare with the parade - don't you hate it when people do that? I love all your Photopass pics, they look wonderful.

Thanks! We love watching the parades but we don't love getting a place to watch the parades.

Originally Posted by misty hailey

Our DD is like that We get her to ride once & she is terrified Then after, she loves it. TOT & RnR maybe too much in one night. He may do it later

That is exactly how Asher was about it. Since we have got home he talks about wanting to do it again.

Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily

All caught up. Love the photo pass pictures! I can't blame Asher for being scared of those. I am too scared to ride them myself
,

Thanks! I was just so proud of him for wanting to do it even though he is not a thrill seeker.

Originally Posted by stardust190

All caught up. Sorry about the happenings at the parade. I find that sometimes you luck out and are surrounded by nice people at parades, but other times you end up by people who just want to push to the front. I'm glad Asher decided to go on ToT, but sorry he didn't like it. Sounds like a good day at DHS all around.

It was a good day. We love the parades and just deal with the rude people.
Since we have come home Asher has talked more fondly of ToT and says he wants to ride it again next time.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Great group of photopass pictures! Asher did really well sticking it out through ToT. I'm sorry you started to feel so bad and hope a good night's sleep will improve things.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by clio

Great photopass pictures. I don't blame Asher for not liking TOT. It's not one of my favorite rides. I find the drop sequences annoying and just want it stop bouncing me up and down.
Liz

Thanks! Asher is not real big on drops of any kind but after this last trip he is feeling much more brave about them.

Originally Posted by 2Peanuts

Love your Photopass pix! What great memories!

Just read your ToT installment. I'm sorry Asher didn't enjoy it. DD didn't even think about going near ToT this trip, so we still haven't ridden it as a family.

I hope you got your meds & were able to head off any colds! Trust me, I know how icky it is to be sick on a Disney vacation!

Thanks! Asher is feeling a little better about ToT now that we are home and says he wants to do it again so we will see how he feels next time. It will be a few years so he will probably love it then.
Being sick at Disney is real bummer.

Originally Posted by guerns17

Just caught up! It looks like you all are having a fantastic trip!! I can't wait to hear more

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great photopass pictures! Congrats to Asher for riding ToT!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by edisneymania86

Loving your TR! I was a little behind but I am all caught up now! So funny that your day at MK started out exactly like ours! Baby care center, Magic Carpets, PotC... that made me laugh.

Thanks! We seem to always start our trip in that way. We always start with MK and we seem to always go left. It just seems like the way to go.

Originally Posted by CatNipRules

This just irritates me to no end. Maybe it's because we've always, always taught our son to not cut in line. Heck, 99% of the time whenever we are waiting in line, he will see someone and tell me to let them in. Maybe it's because the rudeness of everything that those girls did. If I had been their mother and saw that I would have called them back and probably demanded that they apologize. Even as a bystander I would have said something to them. Because I'm just like that. My DH says that I'm nosy I don't think it's that, I just believe in manners and that you are never too young or too old to use them.

That's a cute story about Selah and the little girl. I'm sure that the mom wasn't upset. She probably didn't know what to think or maybe didn't know what to say. Sometimes people act strange.

I did not even see a parent any where near them that looked like they were with them. I have no idea where their parents were. No one ever said anything though.
I think the mom was fine once we told her that Selah had special needs. Selah was just trying to make a friend. We just have to work on how to do that though.

Originally Posted by queen2

loved the pictures.

Originally Posted by KMB733

Great Photopass Pictures!!! Glad Asher enjoyed riding ToT!!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by misty hailey

That bug is everywhere Take care!

Thanks! We are all better now! Will get an update up today!

Originally Posted by lauriep

for Asher and Selah and also for you! Hope Selah has fun at Special Olympics.

Originally Posted by stardust190

Hope everyone kicks this sickness soon!

Originally Posted by JKnott17

Hope everyone feels better soon! Good luck to Selah at the Special Olympics, hope she has a great time!

Thanks! They are all better and Selah had a great time at the Special Olympics!

Originally Posted by mcc0313

Love the photopass pictures. Glad Asher and Selah are feeling better and good luck to Selah in the Special Olympics.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Originally Posted by chezp

Originally Posted by KMB733

Thanks!

Originally Posted by queen2

Hope Selah did well in Special Olympics. My son has been involved in SO since he was 8, he is now 40.

Thanks! She had a great time!

Originally Posted by Cam22

Hope you all are feeling much better very soon!

Thanks! Much better now.

Originally Posted by benjiboo25

I am just getting into this TR...

We are staying at POR for the first time next August. I have been a bit nervous about feeling squished with 3 kids in the room...but if 3 adults and 2 kids can manage--we should be fine!

In reading your TR, I am connecting with your family's need to plan and adapt based on the needs of one person...Our middle child has ASD. Our first trip tpo WDW, everything seemed to revolve around her needs--when she was unhappy--we all were. However, I was a WDW newbie and did not have enough experience and information to really plan for her needs while also allowing others to have a great trip. My re-do the next year was my way of righting all of my wrongs...and it was amazing.

I am hoping that our August trip will be able to focus on everyone;s needs more than jst keeping Hannah happy so that they rest of us can also have fun. She will be 8 and has been to WDW twice so I am expecting her to adapt easier next time.

Thanks for joining in! I have recently read some of you older TR's and reading about some of the difficulties you had in your first trip. I am glad that you didn't write off Disney as a no go for your family after that first trip. It is such a wonderful place for our families but the first trip being difficult could make some families not want to deal with it again.
I hope you love POR as much as we did! I don't think you will feel squished at all.
I hope Hannah does great on your trip in August and I will be looking forward to reading your TR!

Originally Posted by shnewell

Hope Asher is feeling better -- stomach viruses are no fun! :

Good luck to Selah at Special Olympics! What event(s) will she participate in?

Asher all better! Selah had a great time yesterday. As far as events, she is in the Young Athletes category and there really isn't events for them. There are stations set up and they can go to what ever stations they want to and do what they want. Then at the end they get pizza and a ribbon. Jamie, Asher and I were there along with my mom, dad, brother and sister. Selah loved everyone being there with her. Jamie and my brother, Kevin got a lot of exercise yesterday and Kevin posted on FB "Just left the special olympics with selah, didn't realize I would be competing but I'm fairly sure we got 1st place.
#lovethatkid"
He and Jamie carried her around the track on their shoulders, so many times I lost track. She was having a blast. I think she thought riding on their shoulders was a little like a Disney ride with all the bouncing.

Originally Posted by MayraLR

Finally, I'm all caught up! What wonderfula park days you've had so far. I love the photopass pictures.Glad that Selah is doing ok and is able to enjoy the parks. And tell Asher that he's a trooper because he was brave enough to go on TOT. My son didn't even want to try it or RnRC.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Chancho

Just caught up with your TR. what a wonderful time your family must have had. Our last trip to WDW we stayed at POR and we loved it. I hope that my 8 yr old son will be able to do the Jedi Academy when we go in November...I hope it goes all year long. I am looking forward to hearing more of your wonderful memories very soon.

Thanks for joining in! We did have a wonderful trip!

[Tabitha34]

Day 3 Epcot Part 1. Under the Sea and Around the World. You Would Think a Bathroom Would Be Easy to Find.

I know I have been away for around a week now. Sorry! It has been a really busy week. Things are starting to get back to normal now though. Now, on with our story!

The next morning we all slept in a little. I was up around 7:00 after having been up at 6 and 6:30 the last several mornings it was nice to sleep in a little. I was feeling much better after my good nights sleep. I knew that we were going to be at the park until close this day so I knew everyone needed some extra sleep. After getting myself showered and dressed I woke everyone else. Once we were ready we headed over to Riverside Mill for some breakfast. We all get a breakfast platter to share this day with a couple of extra sides. This was plenty of food and we just used a CS credit and a couple of snack credits. After breakfast and filling our mugs we headed to Epcot.

Once in Epcot we headed straight over to Soarin', walking through Innoventions West on our way. We wanted to get a ride in first thing to hopefully get Selah in the Disney mood first thing in the morning. We only had to wait around 5-10 minutes to get on the ride. When we first got in our seats Selah started fussing. I had some raisinettes in my hand (in the box) in hopes that I could keep her happy even if she didn't like the ride. She was wiggling around and getting fussier by the second. I handed her a raisinette and she threw it down. Great. I thought, "well hopefully she likes this ride otherwise it is not going to be fun for anyone". The person next to me was looking a little nervous like he thought she was not going to quit and I assured him she would be happy as soon as the ride started but I was trying to convince myself of that as much as I was him. Finally the ride started and I said, "look Selah" and she instantly calmed down and started smiling, then giggling, then squealing. She was so excited! She tried to get her feet wet in the water. She laughed when the golf ball came at her and she pointed and squealed at the fireworks. It was another winner. She loved Soarin'. When the ride came to an end. I got her down and back in her stroller, I found that rainsinette she threw down and we headed out. She was not real happy about this but we told her we would go ride more rides so she settled into her stroller. Next we headed over to the Seas With Nemo and Friends. Selah did not get as excited with this ride but she did like it. She was happy the whole time and really paying attention. Once we were off the ride we explored the aquarium for a while. We went to see if there was a show starting soon with Crush but one had just started so we didn't wait around. We knew Selah would not really enjoy it anyway.



She was saying, "please" here for something but I don't remember what.


After we finished at the Seas with Nemo it was almost 11:30 and we wanted to get lunch a little early because we had an early supper ADR that we wanted to be hungry for. So we headed to Mexico. Wanda had been wanting Mexican and Jamie and I had been to the CS place in Mexico many times and had always enjoyed it. We had not been to it since it had been refurbed so this was a good time to try the new place. On the way over there we should have stopped at the Baby Care Center but we didn't. We get to La Cantina and find the lines outside to not be too bad. Jamie and Asher got in line to order while Wanda took a bathroom break. Selah and I went in search of a table. I was not having any luck finding one and I remembered that there was seating inside so I texted Wanda to see if she saw any available seats inside. She said there was no one in there at all. So Selah and I headed inside to get a table. It was wonderful! The whole time we were in there only one other family came in to eat while everyone else fought the birds for their food. Jamie and Asher saw a woman loose a churro to a bird when they were headed inside with our food. Wanda and I shared the Nachos, Asher and Selah share the Cheese Empanada and Jamie gets the Tacos de Carne. For dessert we had churros and popsicles. I had the churros and everyone else had popsicles. The churros were very yummy. Everyone else seemed to like the popsicles. Selah did not have a dessert. She was in a not eating mood. Wanda and I loved our nachos. Asher said his empanada was ok and Jamie felt the same about his tacos. Just ok. Jamie tried our nachos and wished he had gotten that but Asher wasn't having anything to do with them.

Once we were finished with lunch we wandered into the shopping area in Mexico. I don't know why but Jamie and I have never been in the building in Mexico! So we were totally amazed when we walked in. We enjoyed walking around in there for a while and Asher saw there was a ride so he wanted to check it out. Once we were all done looking we went to see the Three Cabelleros. Now, if you all remember. At MK we rode It's a Small World and Selah was not impressed. Well, she was only slightly impressed with this ride. The only thing that helped it was Donald. Asher, on the other hand, thought it was great. Jamie and I were kinda with Selah on this one though. Just not our thing. Oh well. Asher liked it so that was good.

Next Asher was ready to go get a Mission from Kim Possible. We told Wanda we were going to head to France (?) and for her to just take her time looking. The 4 of us headed off to get our mission. Once we got there and received our instructions. We found out our first stop was Japan so we told Wanda to keep taking her time and heading in our directions and that we would meet back up with her shortly. We then headed to Japan . Once we got there Jamie and Asher got started working out the clues while Selah and I followed behind taking in the scenery. Ok, so I was taking in the scenery and Selah was playing on her iPad. We were all happy though. Asher and Jamie figured out there clue and saw a waterfall. Then they pushed the button on the Kimmunicator to get their next clue and it froze up. After playing with it for a while they both decided they were done with the mission and just wanted to turn it back in. So we headed back to France. Once we turned it in Asher said he wanted to go ride Maelstrom. I knew that Selah would like this ride so we called Wanda to see where she was and told her to meet us in Norway. We got to Maelstrom and there was no wait! Usually when we go on this ride there is a wait but we walked right on. The standby said 5 min and the FP said 0! Everyone loved this ride. Asher didn't really remember anything about it but he remembered liking it and that there was something different about it. He kept asking me to tell him what it was but I would not give away the surprise. After our ride with the Vikings we explored Norway for a few minutes and ended up inn Kringla where Wanda used a snack credit and got an Almond Pretzel. It looked very yummy. She did not eat it then. She was saving it for later in the evening.

Next up was China. We checked out the shops here. Asher saw some marionette puppets that he thought were pretty cool and then he saw a giraffe one. He was hooked and really wanted one now. All I could think was how much of a pain it was going to be every time those strings got tangled up. He picked up the giraffe to show Jamie and the strings were all tangled. Jamie started working at getting them untangled and I told him just to find one that wasn't tangled. Nope, gotta fix this one. When Jamie sets his mind to it he has got to finish it. Mimi decides she wants to buy it for Asher so after Jamie spends 10 minutes getting it untangled, Mimi and Asher take it to the CM so they can pay for it. The CM then pulls out one in an unopened bag and hands it to them. Then takes the one Jamie worked so hard on and hangs it back up. With the new giraffe stored safely under Selahs stroller we go looking for a penny press machine, which we did not find, and headed to the Outpost. Pennies. The kids have been getting pennies all along everyday. After rides, restaurants, etc. In World Showcase they wanted (I say they but it was really just Asher, we hope one day Selah will understand this too and want to participate) a penny from each country. We were shocked to find that not all the countries had penny machines. Now back to our regularly scheduled program. The Outpost. I had forgot about the bracelets made from the maps. It was warm this day and I was looking for some shade for Selah and I to relax while everyone else looked around. Selah was still playing her iPad but I could tell she was hot and she gets fussy when she gets too hot. I saw Wanda looking at some bracelets and went over to see what she was looking at and I remembered what I had read about them. She picked out a necklace and purchased it. Then I told her what the money goes to. She hadn't even noticed the sign there. Did not know they were made from park maps. She got really excited about them and bought some earrings and a bracelet to match. I looked at several but just couldn't decide. Then we saw the CM carving the animals. Asher wanted to watch for a few minutes. Then he wanted to check out all the giraffes the CM had. Asher loves Giraffes can you tell? Next up was Germany and now I am thinking Selah is needing to be changed. I told Jamie I was going to check the changing tables in the restroom and I would find them in the stores. The changing tables were very short. I should mention, I had already checked the changing tables in Norway when we were there and they were the same way. I go and find them in the shops and we continue looking around here. Once finished we move on to Italy. Look around. On to America. Check the restrooms. Nope. Check the map. Baby Care is a good walk from where we are. Hmmm. Jamie sees that there are companion restrooms in several countries so we go back over to Germany to check it out. There is a changing table and it is big enough for Selah. Yay! Problem solved. We get her changed and we head to Japan. Jamie and Asher and I are excited about Japan because we love the Kaki Gori. We get to Kabuki Cafe and use 1 snack credit for a rainbow kaki gori to share. Yum! We only got one because it was getting close to time for our supper ADR at Teppan Edo and we wanted to be hungry.


After enjoying our kaki gori we wanted to explore Japan. Asher has been in Karate since just before he turned 4 and this is definitely his sport. He is the senior student in his class and he just loves everything about Karate. Since it is a Japanese style of martial arts he is very interested to see this pavilion. As we are heading into a store we pass a kiosk and the CM there is a young Japanese girl. As we pass she says good afternoon in Japanese. Asher responds to her in Japanese. This caught her off guard a little and she asked if he knew Japanese and he responded with a "yes" in Japanese then finished with "but only a little" in English. She was impressed with the 3 words he had used so far and wanted to find out what else he knew. She asked him where he learned and he told her in Karate. That his sensei requires them to know basic greetings and all the words for their stances, kicks, punches, blocks, etc. to be promoted. Then he told her all the words and phrases he knew other than his karate terms. She taught him a few more basics and even wrote them down for him so he would remember them. She wrote them down in both the English characters and the Japanese. Asher thought that was really cool. He had a lot of fun talking to her. Before we left her he wanted a picture with her. Her name is Naoko.


Time to go checking out the shops before time to check in for our ADR. Everyone enjoyed the stores. That is until Selah saw a balloon. Then I had to quickly exit with her because she was quickly getting louder and more adamant about getting that balloon that belonged to some other kid. Selah and I went outside to sit for a few minutes while we waited for the rest of our group to finish looking around. We did not wait long before they came out and we checked in for our ADR at Teppan Edo.

Asher, Selah, Jamie and I are standing up by the stand to check in.

Up Next: Teppan Edo, Some Upside Down Fun, A Wild Ride and What is Selah Looking At?

[stardust190]

Glad you all got to enjoy Sorin'. And you were lucky with the Maelstrom wait. We never did make it on that ride because every time we passed it was at least 30 min. I'm interested to hear your opinions on Teppan Edo. We ate there in 2009 and we liked it, but didn't think it was anything all that special.

[misty hailey]

so much fun!!

[cindybelle]

Tabitha, parts of your story have me really . How awesome about Asher speaking Japanese and making a new friend!

The necklaces made out of maps -- that's news to me. I may have to look into that on a future trip.

[queen2]

So enjoying your TR. Love the picture with Asher with his new friend. Awesome he could speak to her in Japanese.

[MayraLR]

Glad Selah enjoyed Soarin! You've got a thrill junkie in your hands.

Can't wait to hear about your meal at Teppan Edo. I'll be eating there this summer.

[lauriep]

I guess starting the morning with a thrill ride is the way to get Selah into a good mood! How great that Asher is learning some Japanese in his karate class. Sounds like he has a really good sensei.