Random thoughts, ideas, and tidbits of our trip. Feb 23- march 10

[Claire]

Welcome aboard! I've never written a trip report but I would sure like to share things while we are gone. So here is the scoop....

I started planning this trip shortly after our last trip 12/2010. At that time I was pregnant with DS 2. I was unable to ride Space Mtn so I have first dibs this trip!:RpS_wink:

Cast:
Me- Mom of two small boys and super planner whether it's vacation, family life or work! I'm looking forward to no dishes and being waited on! I'm excited for the princess 5k and opening of the Garden show.
DH- Excited to go to Spring Training, running the Princess 5k and swimming. He is tolerant of Disney because of how well things are run. He appreciates the business model.
DS1- Second trip. However now a two year old with opinions! It would be great if Dumbo soft opened when we were there. He would love it!
DS2- First trip. He goes with the flow.

Grandma and grandpa are joining us for the last half. Grandpa is celebrating his 70th birthday. Thank goodness they are super active and very involved with the kids. They will be big help.

We are staying Poly CL due to a great discount with our AP's. The second part staying at BWVillias. I have a mix of TS planned for lunch. we are planning to RD most days and then evening chill out. Since the length of our stay we are focusing on trying to keep our normal schedules.

[Claire]

This weekend I will be working on finishing my travel secretary duties. I plan to do some short weather prewashing for the kids. Next weekend I will pack. It is a bit challenging due to the age of the kids with diapers, formula, table food, regular food but I'm to the point that if we run out or need something, just buy it. We will have access to a vehicle when the grandparents arrive. Time to update agenda. I hope all my buddies here enjoy the updates. And Josh, I will be watching for you!

[ke_page]

This weekend I will be working on finishing my travel secretary duties. I plan to do some short weather prewashing for the kids. Next weekend I will pack. It is a bit challenging due to the age of the kids with diapers, formula, table food, regular food but I'm to the point that if we run out or need something, just buy it. We will have access to a vehicle when the grandparents arrive. Time to update agenda. I hope all my buddies here enjoy the updates. And Josh, I will be watching for you!

You are getting so close! It's so hard packing for the little stuff. Between diapers, wipes, sippy cups, lovey animals. I think we are going to need a suitcase just for our kids "stuff" not including their clothes! When are you moving to BW villas? Maybe we'll be at Poly at the same time for a bit. My son is 2 and would love a friend in the lounge!

[elaine.amj]

Looking forward to reading about your adventures there with 2 small kids :)

[jilly7896]

Yeah! A trip report!!! Im in :)

[whitestavern]

Looking forward to reading your itinerary...we'll be there 2/25-3/3.

[josh]

Wait, you want to ride Space Mountain!! Won't see me hanging out around there.

[Claire]

Ke_page we are transferring to BWVILLIAS on 3/3. What are your dates for arriving? I know Trudy will be there too our same dates.

Yes, I'm nuts taking two small children there. Our 2 1/2 year old went at 15 months and loved it. So I'm really excited to get him back. However, the adults out number the children 2 to 1. Thus the quest for close locations of residents do we can go back and forth often

Itinerary-
2/23 arrival-MK train ride only
2/24 RDMK to lunch; post nap pick up race packets
2/25 Princess 5K; post nap AK for parade and dinosaur land
2/26 MK
2/27 RDEP FW to lunch; post nap ?
2/28 RDAK to lunch
2/29 RDMK. Yes, I am participating in the Leao Year...why not!
3/1. Off, HDDR
3/2. RDMK to lunch
3/3. Move day; HS for shows

I have my ADRs. All days are proffered on Josh's schedule. Nights are opening pending kiddos. They are in bed by 7 so it will be limited regardless.

[ke_page]

Oh man! We arrive on the 3rd! We'll just miss you guys. We have the same problem with the 7pm bedtime. You'll love the villa because of that though! We've taken the kids when they were both little (like they are old now at 4 and 2 :RpS_rolleyes:) but it was really pretty easy. Hope you guys find lots of pixie dust and that things go smoothly!

[clanmcculloch]

Looking forward to some coctails with you in the lounge! Hopefully they'll have some Redbridge but if not, they'll definitely have some wine.

[Claire]

We are soon to be at the house of the mouse! We are packed. Boys are in bed and our boarding passes are printed! We are looking forward to our trip! I will keep you updated to my random thoughts though out the week.

[josh]

Poly Club huh? Life could be worse.

[jilly7896]

Have a great time! I think its time to add another ticker... ;)

[Claire]

Josh-all thanks to my TA Jilly! Got a good deal for what my family needs right now!

[Claire]

We have arrived! A day of planes, trains, automobiles, mionorails, buses, and boats. A boys dream! We had an unevetful flight. Boys behaved beautifully! Grabbed a quick lunch at MCOmbefore boarding ME however it didn't take nearly as long as last time. Within two hrs of landing we were at the resort. We checked in. We waited a few minutes for our room. We went to MK (not recommended per Josh). To give you an idea there was a line for the railroad train! So I'm assuming he was right. We did two loops on the train per sons request and the Meet and Greet with Mickey. We had a light dinner at the resort.

[pfalcioni]

We did two loops on the train per sons request and the Meet and Greet with Mickey.

I think this sounds like a primo first night activity list!

[ke_page]

Sounds like a fantastic first day! How's the weather?

[Claire]

Great second day too! RD at MK (recommended). It was walk on anything til 10. Very successful. We had a great lunch at te Plaza. I had the chicken strawberry salad - chicken was moist. We picked up our race packets for the am. After dinner we enjoyed playing in the sand at the Poly. Up at 5 so we can run at 7 am tomorrow. AK for late day parade tomorrow.

[Claire]

Weather - mid 80s. Short weather however cold front tonight. High 68? Tomorrow but warms back up.

[pfalcioni]

Here's wishing you a good run tomorrow!

[Claire]

We ran our first 5 K. Now, in reality, it was crowded so the first mile we speed walked. As soon as we got into the Worl at Epcot it opened up and we ran with the kids like champs. They did a great job hosting from buses, treats, and character greets it was very nice. Good luck to who are running the 1/2 Marathon tomorrow! Just for giggles, my pedometer (have to wear one for work) hit over 30,000 steps today and my previous non WDW best was 12,000!

We were to AK after our morning run! The boys fell asleep so we single rode Mt Everest. At 11am, it took me 13 minutes including ride time. We ate lunch at Flametree BQQ, I had the salad....nothing special. Husband had the pork sandwich...thumbs up! The kids Loved the boneyard. It was a first for us. kudos for WDW o put small gravel not sand!

Tomorrow, no alarm and then MK however my bt...still there in time for RD!

[pfalcioni]

Sounds like an awesome day! Love that single rider line at EE, makes multiple rides so easy!

[Claire]

Two thoughts for today....Colony salad at LTT was fantastic. The chicken was grilled and moist on a very pretty bed of greens. Secondly, whom ever noted the cookie sandwich at Main Street bakery....WOW thanks for sharing. I love cookie ice cream sandwiches and it hit the spot. It didn't hurt that the employee whom made mine was really into her job and the dishes of ice cream were huge. It could be spit multiple ways!

[ke_page]

MMMM... that is my favorite salad! Are you loving the poly? It sounds like you guys are having a blast!

[clanmcculloch]

Great second day too! RD at MK (recommended). It was walk on anything til 10. Very successful. We had a great lunch at te Plaza. I had the chicken strawberry salad - chicken was moist.

I realized at lunch that we hadn't exchanged pictures. I was trying to figure out if you were there or not. I didn't notice cousin Ken spending a lot of time with another family with young kids who arrived around the same time as us but then again my back was to the dining room. Were you still there when the mayor arrived? Cousin Ken explained who those VIPs in the alcove area were. One of the guys was one of the original singers in the barbershop quartet and he's been a driver of the firetruck and now he rides in the parades with the grand marshall. He is kind of a VIP at least in the WDW world even though that was a joke because they were the only group back there in the alcove.

[Claire]

Trudy-still here at Poly til Sat am. I hope to still met you....im carting around a big blue Vera Bradley diaper bag and a teal cross over purse...two boys knee high! :)

I don't hear much about the Hoop Dee Do Review but we went tonight at the request of my father in law. We had a fantastic time. We took boat service to MK and MK to Ft Wilderness. 30 minutes with very little boat time waiting! Entertainment was great. Food was great. Service was friendly. For my husband and father in law a whole pitcher of beer without asking! Sangria was a nice flavor.

We ended up the night watching wishes from the beach!

[Ferg]

LOVE Hoop Dee Doo!!! And Wishes from the beach! And beer! Sounds like a perfect night.

[clanmcculloch]

I'm sorry I missed you. We're home now. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

[Claire]

My thought for the day......we loved walking down a near deserted main street for our prerope drop breakfast. We got some great pictures and really enjoyed breakfast. The character interactions at Cyrstal Palace were great. Only downside is getting to RD. it would be perfect on a day 2 RD where timing may not be as crucial.

We ate at Tuskers at 10:30 earlier this week and enjoyed the late reservation to allow us to tour first and count it for two meals.....each has it's perks!

[Claire]

So I've fallen off my nightly update, I'm sitting here at the BWV with our bags packed, kids sleeping and thinking of all the fun memories. Here are some random things....

We stayed at Poly and BWV...our fav Poly. It was cozy, friendly and the closeness to MK has its benefits with kiddos. The TTC is a nice perk too.

Favorite restaurants...LTT for Colony salad (best salad in two weeks beside Kona salad). Crystal Palace best breakfast with char....great food and great to get per RD picture of main street. However, would only do if you two ams at MK. Teppan Edo....great food and presentation. HDDR was a great dinner show...great interaction. Ohana dinner was fantastic.

Favorite snack....Mickey chocolate ears and the surprise....Mainstreet bakery ice cream cookie

Favorite rides....RNR and space mnt. The new surprise was Sum of all Thrills-nice combination of imagination and thrill. Little people-it's a small world.

Thoughts of traveling with little people....we rented a BOB stroller thought Kindgom strollers.m it was just like what we have at home. Good service. We kept our littles on there same schedules except for two nights they were up 2 hrs later. No significant melt downs. We kept their food choices very similar to home meals. I did not Ned the bag of "stuff" that I brought to entertain them. We loved using the Baby care centers at each park...change diapers, get water, feed them without distraction. They were never busy and always clean.

Well, great trip....we will do it again.

Ps-the highlight this week was the Flower and Garden show. Moh, we survived the FP change, I just found myself watching the clock more closely but overall, didn't change much.

[pfalcioni]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Hope you have an uncomplicated trip home tomorrow and then you can post some pics to go along with it all!