Trip Reports

Background:

My husband Wes and I are both thirty-something pharmacists and the parents of three boys, John (10th birthday the day our trip begins), Joey (age 7) and David (age 4). This is our third Disney vacation. Our first trip was on our honeymoon in 1983, when we just spent one day at MK and one day at Epcot. In October of 1992 we took John and Joey, and had four day passes. At that time we told the boys we would return sometime when John was 10--thinking by then we would be beyond anyone being a "baby." On that trip we stayed at Caribbean Beach and became hooked on staying on Disney property, especially with kids who need a break once in a while. Here is the summary of our return visit.

December 6, 1997

The day we leave for our long planned vacation is finally here. We live about five minutes from the airport so for our 10:45 we need to be ready to go out the door around 9:15 (it is a small airport). My dad has come down from Northern Michigan to celebrate John's birthday, take us to the airport and most importantly pick up Kelly, our dog, for her visit with him while we are gone. We all go out and get in Grandpas car for our short ride....the luggage for five of us and all of us just barely fit...it's a good thing it is a short ride! We get checked in, wait for our plane and we're off. The kids think flying is OK. Our flight is booked with a half-hour lay over in Detroit and everything goes smoothly. John finishes what he has left of his school assignments on the way down. We get into Orlando just as scheduled...claim our baggage and then try to find the Mears counter that we'd been told we couldn't miss. We followed signs for ground transportation and found ourselves near some rental car counters. An airport employee saw us with our luggage..some of which the smaller kids were struggling with and asked where we were going. He told us to go back upstairs. After we went back upstairs I went to the information station (we hadn't seen this on the way through the first time) and the lady there sent us back downstairs and outside.

ARGH! I don't know who the first employee was...but if he didn't know what he was talking about why did he volunteer bad information...those suitcases were heavy!!! I got in line for the shuttle, and after turning in our passes we waited a few minutes and we were off in van headed for the Boardwalk. The trip didn't seem long at all.

Our arrival at the Boardwalk just happened to be at about the same time as the official check-in time, so the lobby was a busy place. They had ONE girl working at the guest relations counter. Her name was Whitney and I truly felt sorry for her. The lady in front of me was griping at her because her room was a pool view and not a Boardwalk view, and was attempting to make dinner reservations for Cinderella's castle THAT evening-I really don't ever understand what difference the view makes in most hotels anyway...except one time in Indiana when my view was a brick wall about four feet outside the window, and I thought most Disney guests know enough to make dinner reservations further ahead than 3 hours.

Besides this lady, there was a man further behind me in line just hollering about how unhappy he was to be in line and anything else he could yell about. Poor Whitney! She called for reinforcements and I heard her finally say into the phone, "I need help and I have to go NOW." Well, we made our way up to the counter. While I was in line, Wes and the boys ducked into the hotel gift shop and procured the three necessary autograph books. We realized at the airport that we had left John's from our 1992 visit behind...he had planned to reuse it. I guess every vacationer has to forget something.

We went down the hall to our villa and then I was sorry to say it was our turn to complain. We had been placed in a smoking room. Wes noticed the smell immediately..I guess I was too busy looking the place over. I called the front desk to voice my complaint, they checked my reservation and confirmed that it was to be non-smoking, but they had nothing else left.

We were not pleased with this...for our reservation made 10 months ahead of time and pre-paid as they require for the package plans, we should get everything we asked for. They offered to come in and clean it while we went to the parks and move us the next day. We reluctantly agreed to this, and walked to Epcot.

Prior to our departure we had made 5:30 priority seating reservations for Saturday night in the Biergarten in Germany for the dinner buffet. We planned to eat most of our big meals at lunch time during the week, but had to do dinner this first day. We knew there was a show to go along with this buffet & our kids like sausage and noodles, so we thought this was a good choice. The kids enjoyed the German music and show. There was plenty to eat. Our boys are picky eaters and didn't care for some of the items, but they all in all it worked out fine. They eat chicken and sausage and dinner rolls. I had told the host on the way in that we had a birthday boy. I think our waiter nearly forgot, but did bring a cake to us before we left. I really think they meant to do "Happy Birthday" while the musicians were out, but forgot because of the addition of the Christmas stories. Our bill came to $89.31 including tax and tip for the five of us. We all attempted to polka, listened to the story of "Silent Night" and had an enjoyable time.

After dinner we took in the China movie, waited in line about 5 minutes for the Maelstrom before they closed it due to malfunction and then went and rode the Mexico boat. When I made the dinner plans from home I had planned to have dinner and then go to the "Candlelight Processional" and watch "Illuminations", but we were just too tired. There were lots of people trying to see the Candlelight Processional (afterall it was the weekend) and we had a week ahead of us, so we took a boat back to the Boardwalk and tucked ourselves in.

December 7, 1997

I'm not sure the advantage of "surprise mornings" is going to be helpful to us on this trip. Getting us up, dressed and fed by 9am is doing good...7:30 seems impossible. Wes got up early and went running. He also picked up some breakfast treats for he and I at the Boardwalk Bakery. I had brought many items from home ...pop tarts, cereal, leftover Halloween candy, snacks, chips, peanut butter, Tang, etc. So the kids ate cereal and pop tarts and we ate bakery treats most mornings. The boys put on their mouse ears that their aunt had brought them from her trip a few years before.

We caught the boat to Epcot and arrived at the International Gateway by 9:15. Our first attraction was Imagination "Honey I Shrunk the Audience". I had read about this and kept telling David to remember it was all just pretend...but it really freaked he and Joey out. It is amazing how they make things seem so real, especially the mice. The little boys cried some, but by the time we were back outside everyone was fine.

We went to the Land and hit all three attractions. A short wait (15 minutes) for "Living with the Land", but otherwise everything is no wait. From there we went to "Space Ship Earth" David didn't care for when it went backwards. Then on to "Energy" a much better show that it was five years ago. The movie part used to be quite boring, but now it's all entertaining. We are not Ellen DeGeneres fans, but have to say this was one of our favorite attractions.

We then went to our 1:00 priority seating at the Coral Reef. We had eaten at the "Coral Reef" on our last trip and the kids asked to go back. They love fish and sharks. Wes had grilled salmon, I had the Nantucket seafood pot pie, we both ordered salads, the boys had shrimp from the children's menu. We asked to substitute fries for the goldfish crackers listed on the menu. This was not a problem. Our total bill with tip was $86.27.

After lunch we went to the "living Seas", then "Horizons" and "Wonders of Life". We rode "Body Wars" David didn't like it. I have never cared for this one much. It's way too jerky and I find the plot rather dumb. "The Making of Me" was cute little movie and I thought very well done. "Cranium Command" was also fun. We ran into Goofy as we walked around the pavilion, so the kids got their first signature. The day was getting late and we needed to go back and complete our room switch, so we headed back to the Boardwalk around 4pm. We got our new room. It smelt much better, had a nicer balcony looking down on the pool (the first room was on the ground level) and we were happier.

We decided to go down on the Boardwalk and walk around and perhaps search out some dessert. Joey and David picked out Donald and Mickey hats (so much for the old Mouse ears) in the general store while I was buying a loaf of bread, but didn't really find what we were looking for as a late night snack. Before we knew it we had walked back to the World Showcase. I bought the younger boys some Christmas cookies and Wes and John went to the pastry shop in Norway to get some treats to eat while we watched "Illuminations". We didn't have the best viewing spot. I was afraid Wes and John would not be able to find us in the first spot I scouted out. It was dark and I knew the boys were tired...the thought of having to get two sleeping little ones back after "illuminations" frightened me while I was waiting for them, so I went and found them in the pastry shop and we still had an OK view. We planned to try to catch it again before our week was up....but we didn't. Oh well....just before the finale of Illuminations we headed toward the gateway to beat the crowd. We walked and saw the finale of illuminations and got back to our room and collapsed.

December 8, 1997

Today is our MGM day. We did breakfast the same way as yesterday. Wes went running and joined "Muscles and Bustles" for the week. We got to MGM just after 9am. Wes went to get a stroller and the rest of us ducked into a gift shop and got John a Goofy hat. We now have Donald, Mickey and Goofy in our family and head to the "Great Movie Ride" This is a fun one. Joey and David were a little frightened when out tour guide disappeared during the gun fight (We were in the seats next to the guide). We then went to the line for the Little Mermaid. It was 10:15 and the show claimed it would start at 11:00. John was not pleased that we were going to wait 45 minutes. A CM told us there will always be a wait and she suggested we wait...she was right and the time on the signs is not always correct. We waited and FINISHED watching the show at 10:50...so we really did not wait much longer that 15-20 minutes. I really like this show.

After this we went and saw "The Making of Flubber". We had seen this movie on Thanksgiving Day at home, so the kids found it interesting to see parts of it again even if some of the details were too technical for Joey and David. We ran into Eyore and Tigger back outside, but Tigger had to leave when we were next in line.

Then we went to the 101 Dalmatian Sound Stage. I found the props and tricks used in this movie very interesting. Our boys own this movie, but I have actually never watched the whole thing-now it's added to my list of things to do. Next was the backlot studio tour. I remember this as being frightening to the kids on our last visit, but didn't seem so this time. Maybe because I knew what to expect. It really didn't frighten David as much as some other things, maybe because he's seen our video tape of "Catastrophic Canyon" from before. After the Backlot Tour we went to Muppet 3-D, and Star Tours. The 3D movies are fun, but a little frightening to David. After the Muppets, at each theater we entered he asked, "Is everything gonna stay up there?" (He even asked that about a movie theater since we got home.)

By now the kids were getting very hungry. We had our priority seating reservations for the Sci-Fi Drive-In at 2:30. When the time left to this got too close we continued to hold off feeding them, so they would eat when we got there. Now they were extremely hungry. We showed up there a little after 2 and checked in and were told we had until 2:30. We walked further down the street to kill time. We caught a little bit of the Hercules parade. Then we headed back to wait in front of the Sci-Fi. The host keeps coming out and calling the same two families over and over. I would think then when someone isn't there after being called a few times they would give someone else that table until they show up. This seemed to go on a long time. Finally they came out and said we could take that reservation if we could fit two in the front and three in the back of one of their "cars". No problem. Actually, I think sitting in the cars was neat. The tables they have to accommodate larger families aren't really like sitting in those cars. This restaurant it really neat inside....much cuter than I imagined. I don't remember what we ate, but the total came to $69.59 including tax and tip. The kids meals came on frisbees that they got to keep and included a cupcake for dessert. Definitely a good meal choice.

After lunch we headed back "home." The weather was great and the kids wanted to swim. It was 4:30 when we got back. The kids and Wes changed quickly and headed for the pool, which closes at 5:00. The slide on the Boardwalk pool was lots of fun.

After the swim we headed back to MGM to check out the Osborne lights. The Osborne lights are more awesome and more beautiful than videos or pictures can try to describe.

On the way out John and Joe wanted to go back on Star Tours. David did not. Wes waited with him while John, Joe and I went back on Star Tours. We then went back to the room at a little after 8 and got the kids to sleep early so we can get up for our 7:45 character breakfast in the morning. After the kids are in bed, I went down to the Seashore Sweet shop and bought two refillable mugs of coke. I understand that at some resorts the mugs are refillable for free...on the Boardwalk there was a fee, but still not a bad deal.

December 9, 1997

Our character breakfast at the Cape May Cafe is wonderful. We used our flex feature for this one. Lots of good food, and Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale. David seems to be enjoying all of the characters, but he is not pleased with Chip and Dale. He sits under our table when they come around. Oh well, he has a great time teasing and playing with Goofy.

After a very filling breakfast we head on our first bus of the week to the MK. I know many families with small children would start their week here, but we have always felt that the kids enjoy Epcot more if it is done first. It's a new place, they are on vacation and they think this is what they have been told about in planning the trip. Many people feel that Epcot is not for small children, but on both of our Disney trips with kids, Epcot has been an enjoyable experience, even for them. Well, we are finally in the MK. We arrive there about 9:15.

We head toward Frontierland first and go on Thunder Mountain. Joey and David screeched, but later in the week they would both go again. Then came Splash Mountain. David and Joey were both crying as we made our way to the ride. We basically walked right on. By this time David is crying so hard that the CM talks Wes into taking him out and sitting out with him until we get back. Joey wants out too, but we don't let him. I think that Splash Mountain is very cute, and when we were here in 1992 John was 4 and loved it. The same is not true for Joey. He did not like it. John went around the second time with Wes when we returned. More on David and Splash Mountain to follow another day.

After Splash Mountain we went to the Jungle Safari. This wait was the longest of the whole week, about 40 minutes. Then " Pirates of the Caribbean." David is somewhat frightened in this one, but we kept consoling him with the fact that his toy pirates and pirate ship is one of his favorite toys. I do not remember there being a little drop down in the dark in this ride, which sort of took me by surprise.

The Country Bear Christmas Show was our last stop before we headed out for swimming time. I really enjoyed the Country Bears, and have to say that I don't think I've ever gone to the "Country Bear Jamboree". Somehow I've missed this on previous Disney visits. Food is not really necessary, since we all ate so much breakfast.

I am somewhat disappointed that the "Tiki Room" and Swiss Family tree house are both closed. The Tiki room has always been one of my favorites and our kids absolutely love the "Swiss Family Robinson" movie.

Well, the kids were promised swim time and it is a beautiful day, so we head out. John and I head into the visitor center to get our lithograph that I found out about from the Disney website. We find ourselves being seated for a movie, while our family is waiting outside to leave. I tell the CM's this and they let me out before it starts. The welcome center seems like an interesting place, but not at this point in the day.

We met Wes, Joey and David back outside. When we are heading for the bus, Wes gets a brainstorm. For some reason he thinks the Disney monorails are great. I think they are just another form of transportation, and for us not direct, so I could easily skip it. Anyway, Wes decides that we could get home via the monorail to Epcot. We get on the monorail and find it is not going to take us to Epcot. I remind him that even it is does it will be a long walk from there to the backside of Epcot where the Boardwalk is.

While we are sitting on the monorail engaged in this discussion, the monorail stops so they can add another train. We are stopped for quite a while. I pull out my transportation guide from my backpack and find that we would have to switch trains to get where we want to go. We decide (at least I did) that the best plan is to complete the circle back to MK and take our regular bus.

We get back to the Boardwalk around 3pm. All five of us head for the pool. After about 45min of swimming I decide to get out, get dressed and find the kids something to eat. We are all still running on that huge breakfast. I go refill the mugs for Wes and I and then go up to the room and make peanut butter sandwiches , chips and carrot sticks. As I mentioned earlier, we had brought food supplies from home (one full suitcase). We did buy milk and bread at the Screen Door General Store. I make myself some instant soup and sit on the balcony and watch the swimmers, still continuing to run to the slide.

They swim until 5, come back and finally eat their sandwiches. I am wondering it our plan to go back to the MK still will fly. We do it. We get back at 6 and go to Fantasyland. We go to the Mad Tea Party, the Lion King and Dumbo. David loves Dumbo. He's been wanting to see Dumbo all week and his moment has finally come. Just as we get off Dumbo, is one of those magical moments, as the music starts with "When you Wish Upon a Star" and the fireworks start and my adorable, blue-eyed toe-head boy leans against my knee and watches the fireworks in amazement. It was wonderful. Little did we know that this was almost our last opportunity for this, as the weather was about to change.

We head out the MK, this time on the bus to the Boardwalk. While waiting for the bus, we encounter Florida residents who had driven up 2&1/2 hours that morning and toured all three parks with a child that was probably less then two. They were still going to drive back home that night. No thank you. They claimed that this was possible. I disagree. They also claimed that there was nothing worthwhile in MGM. I disagree. I guess we all have different ideas of fun and enjoyable.

December 10, 1997

Well, the large breakfast had worked so well at keeping us going through the day, we decided to try it again. Today we were going to go to Blizzard Beach. We got up and dressed in our bathing suits with clothes over them, ate a nice buffet breakfast at Spoodles (total price $59.56 with tip) then took the bus to Downtown Disney. We went in a couple shops at Downtown Disney. The boys are really into Legos and liked the lego sculptures alot. They also made some "ornaments" and put tags with their names an ages on them to add to the collection hanging around the place.

We picked out a few times at the Disney Store, but decided to actually make the transactions that evening, when Wes and I would be coming back without the kids. We had already made arrangements for an in-room sitter.

The fountains at Downtown Disney are also lots of fun. We then got took buses to Blizzard Beach. Blizzard beach was lots of fun. We started with Teamboat Springs, which is a huge water slide that holds giant tubes in which whole families can ride together. Then we rode around the Cross Country Creek, the "river" that you slowly ride by in. Then Wes, John and Joe went on the Double Dipper, the only slide with height requirements any of us ventured on. We all rode the toboggan racers and then at Runoff Rapids, David decided that he was not going down after we had climbed up many, many stairs. There are tubes for these slides which are singles, doubles or triples. Joey had a single, John and I had a double as did Wes and David. Wes stayed at the top trying to convince David to go down. The rest of us went down, then climbed and climbed (the climb was quite exhausting) and went down again. They were still working on David.

Then I stayed down, sent John and Joe up and told them to ask Wes if he wanted me to come up and get David. They forgot, and came down and told me that a cast member was playing games with David trying to get him in the tube. I again told them to see if I should come up and get him. When they came down again, they said they weren't up there anymore. Well, the boys went up and down several more times and we had no idea where they could be. Oh yes, now it is raining, but still warm to us Michiganders. Well, we all stayed on this slide a while, realized they must have gone down a different slide, and we began to travel the park, playing here and there and still searching for Wes and Dave. I did not have my glasses on and it seemed as though half of the men in the park were wearing teal blue swim trunks.

By now it is pouring and people are leaving the park in droves. We still continue to play, we're already wet, we are not cold, we can't find half of our family, so we continue to look and play. Well, they are doing the same thing. Finally we find them riding down the river as we walk over a bridge. So we meet up and do some more slides-including Runoff Rapids, which David enjoys immensely.

Joey is hungry, but all the concessions stands are closed (maybe because most of the people are gone), so we finally head out. The park wasn't close to being crowded before the rain, but now it is nearly empty. I think Blizzard Beach was a favorite for all five of us. It may have been even better if we hadn't gotten separated, but we all did what we wanted to do anyhow. The CM, Chad at the top of Runoff Rapids actually spent about a half hour trying his hardest to get David to go down that hill. Wes has written a note to thank him for this effort.

We head back to the Boardwalk, order room service pizza for the kids. The price of this is $23.14. Our sitter is scheduled for 8:30. Wes and I both feel exhausted, but the plans are already made. We had scheduled the sitter for this night because we wanted the kids to get to sleep early tonight and the next night we had tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Also, we did the water park on a day the kids could get to bed early. It all worked out well.

Rose, the babysitter, showed up right on time. She was a grandmother who had moved to Florida with her husband a few years ago. They both work at Disney, she at a restaurant in the Grand Floridian and he in security at Disney West Side. She came with a bag of toys. Joe had been in bed, but not asleep, and ended up getting up. He thoroughly enjoyed checking out her toys. John was less impressed-he's at the age where the whole babysitter thing is unappealing. David never saw Rose. I think this disappointed Rose. I had had misgivings about a "strange" sitter, but once we met Rose I felt much better about the whole thing.

Well, now here are without kids. We head to Downtown Disney, pick up our planned purchases, have them sent to our room and then go to Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island is probably the part of Disney I like the least. Wes and I are not into the bar scene anyhow. I had heard that the Comedy Club is a cleaner variety than most present day comedians, but our timing for this was not right-we had missed the first show and didn't want to stay late enough for the second. We did go into the Jazz Club and enjoyed this. Wes ate a salad and I had quesedillas and one drink each. We are former college band sax players so this was more our style. Then we headed back to the Boardwalk, since I wanted to go to Jellyrolls. I listen to Bruce Williams regularly on the radio on my way home form work in the evenings and know he owns this place. Now I wish we had skipped Pleasure Island. Jellyrolls was so much fun we didn't want to leave, but we did not want Rose to turn into a pumpkin and I had promised John I would get up for early entry at MGM and go on Tower of Terror with him, so we went back at 1:00.

Jellyrolls has two side by side piano players who take requests and just plain have a lot of fun. The guys we saw seemed to know music from every performer, variety and era mentioned to them. It was great. They also don't take a break-they just switch to a new pair of piano players. I'd love to go back to Jellyrolls sometime.

December 11, 1997

Well, as I said, John and I had planned to early entry to MGM. We get up, munch a little bit of the food in the room and get out to the boat docks. The weather is looking very threatening. We can see the boat coming, and I think we should dash in for some raincoats before it gets there. We run into the nearby Screen Door General Store, but can't get the transaction over quick enough, so we run out without rain coats and get on the boat . It is sprinkling, but not bad.

We get to MGM and go on Tower of Terror. The plan is to meet Wes, David and Joe at 9:30 near the "Beauty and the Beast" stage. The rain is not a problem yet and we ride "Tower of Terror. It is not even remotely as bad as I expect and I do not like wild rides. Actually, the Disney imagineers have done a great job on this and no one should miss it. I actually was laughing during "the drop." We did not wait long at all and after it is over we go check the times for the Animation Tour. The first tour starts at 9:00 and we won't be out in time to meet everyone else, so we go take another ride on the "Great Movie Ride" and head toward Beauty and the Beast.

The rain is getting worse, so we go buy a couple of ponchos. We realize that we are still too early to meet them, so we take a walk toward the front gate. Soon after this we hear the loudest thunder I have ever heard. John is convinced that they closed all the boats due to thunder. Everyone is now dressed in the same yellow Mickey ponchos (I think they should be Donald DUCK ponchos). Finally we go back to the planned meeting place, still hearing the loudest thunder and most amazing lightening ever. Soon after we get to "Beauty and the Beast", they arrive, Joey and David crying in fear clutched to Wes. He had bought an umbrella, but no ponchos, claiming it keeps them close to him. Wes is sure that the lightening hit the Chinese Theater while they were down in the courtyard there. Anyway, we go get our seats for "Beauty and the Beast".

MGM is a good rain park. You get seats early enough before the shows and then watch the show, so there is a lengthly stretch of time out of the rain at each show. I then went and purchased two more ponchos for the boys and we went to "Indiana Jones." We bought some pretzels from a vendor while we waited for the show. They don't do the airplane scene in the rain, but it was still a good show. Then on to the "Hunchback," which was delayed as they were trying to dry out their stage. They were afraid someone might slip on the wet steps. The juggler pre-show was awesome here. Eventually they were able to present the "Hunchback"---and the wait gave us more "dry" time.

Then we were all hungry, so we ate in the ABC Commissary. Here we have bisc fast-food type fare at a total cost of $27.41. While we are eating, the sun comes up and people are not wearing ponchos outside-Hurray! The kids had been told that naps were required today, because of the late night MVMCP in the MK that night, so we headed out.

Joey asks to go the the GMR again as we leave. David wasn't fond of this one the last time, so we say "Let's go in the Chinese Theatre." and he happily follows along, as his brothers giggle. He catches on as the ride starts and the tour guide says "Welcome to the GMR." David says, "No, not the GMR.", but he is fine. I did not know that there were two versions to this show. This time we had the gangster take over our car.

Now we are heading out to rest. I took Joey and David with me, while Wes and John went to Tower of Terror so Wes would get a turn. When the boys and I got to the boat dock, the boats were not running and we were told to go take an Epcot bus to get back. Each Epcot bus told us that they would not take us back. The crowd of people going to the Epcot hotels is growing in number and hostility. Finally a "special" bus came and took us back. When we finally got to the room, John and Wes were already there. They had ridden Tower of Terror and walked back from MGM in the time it took us to go through the bus hassle. The story on the boats was that the rain had caused a mud slide which pushed over the construction fence around Fantasmic! at MGM, covering the docks with mud. It had really been raining.

Well, we all rested for a while, packed the ponchos in a plastic bag, and went to our priority seating reservation at Gullivor's in the Dolphin. We had made the reservation because of the $50.00 coupon in Rita Aero's "Disney for Adults and Families too". When we made this we figured if we have a $50.00 coupon, this is going to be very expensive, but if we get $50.00 off it can't be that much. This was the most pleasant surprise of the week. The dinner at Gullivor's is a character dinner. Pooh and Tigger visited our table. Wes had red snapper, I had prime rib, John had pizza and Joe and David both had chicken. The prices here were what I would call average, unlike most of the Disney meal prices, which I consider high. Wes still was not really believing we were going to get $50.00 off our meal, until the bill came. It was for $69.38 minus $50.00 to make the total $19.38. Of course we added a tip based on the full price, but we were astounded by this deal. I think because this is not a Disney hotel, the prices are more reasonable. I would've eaten more meals at the Swan and Dolphin during the week had we known sooner. The book is certainly worthwhile, both in information and the coupons.

It has been raining during most of our dinner, but stops about the time we finish. I had been having misgivings about our previously purchased tickets to MVMCP during the downpour. The thought of trudging through the rain in the middle of the night was not appealing to me. Thankfully it did not rain for the entire 5 hours of MVMCP and we were there the entire five hours. We started in Tomorrowland. Wes and John went to "Alien Encounter," while Joey, David and I went to "Take Flight." We all rode on the "Tomorrowland People Mover". We had to tell John to think about what he was saying before he speaks after he put David into a frenzy because he thought he was being forced onto "Space Mountain". John mentioned that this ride would take us through "Space Mountain" and that was all that it took.

Then we got our photo taken with no wait at all. Then we went to the Tomorrowland Speedway, then to Toontown just as the fireworks were going off. We walked through Minnie's house, Donald's boat and Mickey's house. The line was longer than we wanted to see Mickey, so we did not wait. We went out and rode the Barnstormer. Then we went back through Fantasyland which was quite crowded---the 1st parade people were trying to get their kids on the required kid rides and leave. We went to Frontierland instead and did a repeat of Thunder Mountain. The little boys like it now that they know what to expect.

Then we go to do Splash Mountain again. David decides he will do it now. Joey absolutely refuses, so we tell him he can go to the waiting bench and sit and wait for us. He doesn't care for this plan, but has no choice if he will not come along. Since I am carrying a bag of ponchos, I get one out for Dave. He thinks that is great, now he won't get wet. (He had mentioned the other day that he would ride it if he had his bathing suit.) As the ride starts and goes past the people coming down the "drop", David says, "Let's not go that way, Mom. Don't go down those steps. Why did they put those steps under water?" Wes says, "Well, we'll see if we can not go that way." David now likes Splash Mountain. Joey still claims it is awful. We attempted to go into the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, but it was too packed. The second parade is passing by and we see a little of it. We have never really parked ourselves to wait for a Disney parade. The other attractions are always so available during this time, and waiting in the crowds of people has just never been something we have found worthwhile. I know many people who rave about Disney parades. At that time of night, it was best for us to keep the kids moving---if we sat still too long they would either fall asleep or become quite crabby.

Now we head back to Fantasyland now the waits were not long for anything. We went to Peter Pan (a favorite of mine) and Small World. John and I head to Tomorrowland so I get my turn on Alien Encounter. Wes stays with Joey and David, who go on Snow White and Mr. Toad. (I have disliked these on previous visits, although I have read that Snow White has been improved.) I think Wes and the younger crowd also visit the Merry Go Round, and Dumbo. Many of these more than once...the waiting is not a problem. John and I go to Alien Encounter. As long as you keep remembering what I have been telling Davey all week, "it's just pretend" it's Ok and kind of fun. We get off of there and walk right into Time Keepers. They do not start this show until 1:00 AM. I am surprised that the last show starts this late.

We get out at 1:20 and can't get to Fantasyland (our planned meeting place), so we look around the front gates for our family and decide they headed to the Boardwalk. We get on a bus and get home to find Joe and Dave all tucked in, and we all follow along quickly. We enjoyed the night at MVMCP although other than the photo, we really didn't take part in any of the special activities. It gave us extra park time and as we would learn it was very valuable park time because it had been DRY park time. I would do this again if I were there at that time of year again...and maybe take in a parade and a show or two if my kids were older and not so into Fantasyland.

December 12, 1997

We all slept in this morning. It is raining again. John and I leave ahead of Wes, Joe and David so we can catch the Animation Tour. Wes and I have been on this before. I know it would be OK for Dave and Joe, but am sure John will really enjoy it. We have decided that the 45 minutes extra for the boys to sleep will be more worthwhile to them and us. We are to meet to go to Super Star Television. We meet up, and Wes and John go and buy some cookies to munch on.

The CM comes out to begin casting. I am picked for the soap opera part. While I am backstage getting costumed and prepared, Wes walks by. He was cast for a role in "Cheers". I ask where the kids are, and he claims they are fine...seated in the second row. Well, the boys thought it was hilarious that their mom picked up a gun and said, "Not as sorry as you, Bub." Wes's story on casting is that when she came out to get people for her parts, she said, "Hi, I'm Christy." When she was searching for volunteers, he yelled out, "Christy, I'll do it." and she turned around and picked him. (I had not been trying too hard for my part.)

We then went to the sound effects show. When the CM started trying to get volunteers, David wrapped his arms around me and said, "You're not going, Mom." This pretty much finished MGM for us and we headed back to the Boardwalk to get some lunch at ESPN. It was miserable and wet out and it was nice to sit inside and take a break. There really are televisions in the restrooms.

We then headed over to Epcot, as we still hadn't done any of the World Showcase since the night we arrived. We tried to see the movie in France, but just before it started, David began screaming that he had to go potty. We had tried to make him wait, but it became obvious that this was not going to work just before the show started. We all ran from our seats.

We got David's problem taken care of and noticed that people were sitting down for the "Candlelight Processional". The dinner show seats are covered, but the free seats are not. We went and got seats, sitting in our ponchos. We were there about a half-hour before it began and it lasted an hour. David curled up under his poncho and fell asleep. It was raining like crazy, but he slept like that for an hour and a half. The show was beautiful. John enjoyed it as well. Joe was not convinced that it was worth missing out on other attractions for, but we must remember he is seven. As agitated as we were about David forcing our departure from France, if he hadn't we would have missed the "Candlelight Processional". Somethings have a way of working out for the best.

We then went to the American Adventure. This is a nice show. Wes for some reason claims we haven't been here before, but we have. I don't know how he could forget it. Oh well.

Next we go to Maelstrom. This time we actually get to ride. We head over the lit up bridge, watch the fountain/light/music show while the kids finish the pop we purchased because everyone is thirsty (even though they are all soaked). We then head to Journey into Imagination, which we had bypassed when we came to "Honey I Shrunk the Audience". David really has a memory. This was Friday night and he had been to HISTA on Monday morning. As we were walking up the side walk he said. "No, no, not Honey I Shrunk the Kids."

The Journey into Imagination is a cute ride, but maybe in need of updating. It is late and we hope to go to early entry at MK tomorrow until we leave at noon. The kids go to bed and Wes and I pack up all our stuff. We pack the food items and decide to feed everyone bakery goodies in the morning.

December 13, 1997

Today is the day we head for home, but we have to get every last bit of adventure we can in this morning. We get to MK between 7:30 and 8. It is still pouring and the crowd is very light.

John still has not ridden "Space Mountain" and decided now is the time. He and I head for Tomorrowland while Wes, John and Dave go to Fantasyland. They rode Mr. Toad several times. For some reason we cannot understand, Joey and David loved this ride. I do not know the story of Mr. Toad, and the part at the end with the train and the devils loses me. Does Mr. Toad die and go to Hades? So far this trip, I have not been on Mr. Toad.

John and I walk right on to Space Mountain. John is getting nervous about this and I can tell he is considering backing out. He is a tall child and was able to ride this when he was four, but he does not remember it. He has heard the story that he was sitting behind a friend of ours yelling, "You stupid idiots weren't supposed to bring me in here." I guess that has him frightened this time. I get seated in the front seat. Roller coasters are not my thing and I'm thinking of asking to not be in front, but decide not to be a wimp in front of my kid. Well, SM is fun (it really is a faster version of BMTR---not as steep and wild as a true roller coaster.) John wants to ride again, so we walk right back on. John says if we get the first seat this time, he wants it, but we don't.

We go look for the rest of our clan in Fantasyland, but don't see them. We know it's either there or Toontown on the "Goofy ride", and this is where we find them. David wants me to ride with him. Wes has already been around more times than he can count. I ride once...and find this ride to be a dreadful experience in the pouring rain. Wes is a much more tolerant parent than I am, and this proves it. Now we go to find Mickey with a shorter line, and succeed. We also go into the Toontown Hall of Fame to see Mickey's friends. Pluto, Goofy and Minnie are there. John and Joe get signatures from Minnie. David likes Minnie as well as he did Chip and Dale and will not go near her or let her sign his book. He had told us before we went to DisneyWorld that he didn't want to see the "girl one" and I guess he meant it. The kids really had hoped to see Donald. The CM told us that if we left and came back around Donald would be there, and sure enough he was. During a peak time and maybe even this time with good weather, going around and coming in again would not be an option, but there were less than ten people trying to see these critters, so we got all the photos with characters we could want...although we all had wet hair.

We went and took the train to Frontierland, and went to the "Hall of Presidents", then back to Fantasyland, for one more trip on "PeterPan". John tried to get Wes on "Space Mountain", but the line was posted as 30 minutes and we had to leave in 30 minutes...so they didn't try it. (I think I would have tried...all those posting I saw seemed to overestimate.) They rode the people mover instead. In the meantime, David and Joey talked me into one more ride on Mr. Toad...so I did not escape this experience this trip. I told Joe about the plan to change Mr. Toad to Winnie the Pooh. He didn't like this idea (I think it's a great one!)

We met John and Wes at the front gate, after stopping in the bakery and buying some yummy cookies, a snack I found as we were leaving that I will have to remember in the future. The cookies were delicious and not terribly expensive.

We got back to the Boardwalk, claimed our luggage, met the Mears bus, and headed to the airport. We ate at the Chili's in the airport ---isn't it nice that airports now have real restaurants?! Sent out a couple postcards we had forgotten and boarded the plane.

Our layover in Detroit was not the best, but all in all the kid's coped with sitting for two hours. Our flight into MBS was about a half-hour later that expected, but all in all everything worked out. My dad met us at the airport and we came home to our very excited labrador. It's great to go and great to come home.

Just as before, the kids have asked when we can return. We think four years sounds right, before we have anyone in high school. We don't want to go during a busy season, which means the kids must be pulled out of school, so maybe we'll return in December of 2001. Maybe this time it won't rain.

Thing we Learned...

Be prepared for any kind of weather. Florida should not have monsunes in December,
but obviously anything is possible.
We think the Epcot resorts are the best, based soley on location. I had wanted to get around to see some of the other, especially the Wilderness Lodge, but the week flew by.
Before we left I read up on itineraries and plans, but really found that once in the park with three small children we just went to things as we got the opportunity. We did hit the major attractions as early as possible, although we didn't have too wait long for anything. I would now reccommend that "Jungle Safari" be something that you get to right away...the line is very slow. I think we've waited what seems like forever for this attraction on every trip. The important thing is to be flexible and have fun.
Make priority seating reservations from home before you leave....actually long before. I called about a month prior and actually had to change some of my time choices due to availability...if is was a busy season we would have been out of luck.
Taking food from home was a great idea...and money saver. If you haven't been to WDW before, be prepared for high priced meals. The consolation to this is that although it is expensive, everything is good. There is nothing worse than high priced, bad food at a tourist attraction. We spent much less on food than I had planned, mostly due to the snacks from home and eating a major meal in the afternoon....there just isn't time to spend it all eating.
Also check out prices at the Swan and Dolphin restaurants....it seemed less expensive and we were having a very nice dinner at Gullivers. We never had a chance to check out what the others were like. If you're at WDW without transportation to the "outside" restaurants, this may be a nice option for a less expensive meal.
Liz Ostrander

Ozzy51@concentric.net

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