A Trip report? We'll see... LOL

[TravelinGal]

I tried to start one last time on TGM and it was a big flop (my following up, that is).

I'll give it a go here and see what happens...

My trip dates are 10-18 Oct. (10th doesn't really count though since my flight doesn't get in until 8:30PM)

This year is the 3rd annual TGM Zag N Meet. I've been to the first two and didn't see how I could possibly miss the 3rd one! (yeah, DH is getting a bit frustrated, but oh well!)

This will be my 16th trip to WDW and I am taking DS with me. It will be his 3rd trip. (4th if you count the trip where I had just become pg a week before the trip! LOL) He will turn 4 on the trip (Oct 12th) and I have some fun things planned for that day for him.
DH has to stay home and take care of his business. It's tough being the owner...

This will be the first time I've stayed at a Value resort, but I think it will be fine for the two of us. I was originally booked at POP Century but moved to AS Music when the discounted rates came out. (POP wasn't available for our days with the discount.)

I actually have a friend who will be rooming with us from the 12th onward (Lisa - aka blondejrsygr on TGM), so I'm hoping we aren't tripping over each other in the smaller room.

I am splurging and getting the Deluxe Dining Plan. Not sure why. Just sounded fun. My excuse is that I'll want all those sit down meals as a chance to chill out since DH won't be there to help with DS.

All of our park days will be arranged around the TGM meets.

A few trips ago (May 2006) I got into the custom designed t-shirts and made images for us to wear at the various parks. That went well (even my sister in law who went with us was willing to 'play along'). The next year (Sept/Oct 2007) I made custom outfits (sewing from 'scratch') for our family and 4 friends we took along. That was cool too, but way too much work. Luckily, the outfits still fit DS and me, so I'm dragging a couple of those out.

We'll have one matching t-shirt (my "4 parks" image):
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/image149.jpg
(that one still barely fits DS)

The "Spiral Mickey" T-shirts:
(also barely still fits DS)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/4.jpg

And the "blue" Mickey outfits... I'm still trying to decide if I want to wear my dress or 'steal' DH's shirt and wear a white tank top under it
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/3.jpg

THEN... I've made some things for DS to wear (that I won't match)

An outfit with a reversible hat and reversible shorts. The Mickey head was appliquéd on by a friend from the DIS. (My sewing machine and I do not work well together on appliqué.) I also made him one of those cooling neck ties from the plaid fabric as well.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/PLAID.jpg

A similar outfit with a different fabric - no hat or neck thingie this time... (same friend did the shirt appliqué again)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/bluered.jpg

I painted some coveralls (shortalls) for him to wear one day...
I had found the shortalls at the used kids clothes store for a buck and figured, "what the heck?" The stripes made me think of train engineers and so that's why I did a train design.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/trainmickey.jpg

My favorite pair is the shortalls I painted for his birthday. I also painted a white t-shirt with 3 Mickey head balloons on one sleeve and "Happy 4th Birthday" on the other sleeve (no pic yet)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/bdaypants.jpg

On the back, Pluto is bursting out of a birthday cake with 4 candles

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/plutocake.jpg

I also painted a little Mickey on a pair of shorts he'll wear at some point during the trip...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/mickeyonshorts.jpg

Last, but not least, Lisa and I wore these shirts I designed at Disneyland in May and we're going to wear them again. I altered the design for DS and he'll have a coordinating shirt... (don't have the image ironed on yet - so I'll post the base image with my watermark still on it)

ummm... yeah - the PhotoPass guy thought it would be too funny to make us make faces like the "silly princesses" were making...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/tellmewedidnotdothis.jpg

and here is the design I'm putting on a shirt for DS...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/sillyboys.jpg


Well, other than packing and finishing DS's Silly Boys shirt, I'm pretty much ready to go! 15 days and counting!

Oh - On his birthday, I ordered a basket to be delivered for him...
I think the pumpkin is made to be a ToT 'bag' and I thought it was funny that they include a toothbrush for "after all the sweets"...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/mmhalloween.jpg

[LuvDisney]

OMG - all those things you made for DS to wear are absolutely adorable. Great job on the painting. You are very talented! Can't wait to read the actual TR and see all the pictures. Enjoy your trip.

[Grumpy]

You are extrememly creative as I have said before. Hopefully you finish your trip report :D this time around and y haven't you gotten blondejrsygr to register yet :)

[blondejrsygrl]

For Ethan's shirt I would have it say "Boys wanna have fun too" since the boys overlay the girls. I just started to pack and put a few things I know I won't wear before the trip. Our shirt is definately packed!

[TravelinGal]

(Hey Grumpy --- she's registered now! :-P )

[blondejrsygrl]

I'm here!!!!

[TravelinGal]

Well, one more sleep until we're back at WDW!! DS has been going bonkers the last few days - really trying my patience. I hope he chills out some (in other words LISTENS to me!) or I'm going to go absolutely insane on the trip.

I got my seats on Southworst today. I clicked in right when it was time (had multiple screens open with the info filled in and was going through each one until one hit at the right time) and I got A44 and A45. I was a bit bummed to be that far back in the A group, but I guess I don't need to worry... right?

I've been 99% packed since Tuesday. Just need to grab a few electronics (dvd player/cell phone etc and charging cords) and our toothbrushes and we're good to go.

I do have internet on my phone, but it's pretty tedious to type more than a couple of sentences on it, so I probably won't check in during the trip.

Keep out of trouble while I'm gone, OK?! ;)

[Grumpy]

Hope you have a great Time. Tell the TGMer's you see I said hello. Look forward to hearing all about it when u come back :)

[LuvDisney]

Have a wonderful trip! :mickeyjump:

[PolyBride'03]

Cant wait to hear about your trip!!

[blondejrsygrl]

Oh, we will, right Robin! Tomorrow I have to print my boarding pass.:mickeyjump::sulley::Goofyb::Donald:

[wewantmore]

I hope that flight is uneventful. Have a great trip.

[Grumpy]

Hope you all have fun :)

[wewantmore]

:( Oh no, your trip report. I hope you have it saved or posted elsewhere.

[TravelinGal]

post moved to be in sequential order :-)

[TravelinGal]

If you're a TGM member, you can see my trip report HERE (http://www.tourguidemike.com/forums/tm.asp?m=823335)

[Grumpy]

Good morning. Boy, it sure seems early! Oh, that would be the 2 hour time difference in addition to the late night.

The stress of the previous night was still hanging over my head, but I was determined to not let it ruin this day. We did take it easy in the morning and, after stopping by the resort front desk to leave some mylar balloons for Ethan (they blew them up and delivered them on his birthday) we got to the MK a little before 10am. We hit a couple of Fantasyland rides (yay! no long lines yet!) and then walked over to Adventureland. I discovered as the lines and crowds started to build that Ethan did NOT tolerate the crowds well. I don't know if this is a new twist on his sensory issues or if it just didn't present itself last year since we traveled with so many people who were always interacting with him and he wasn't aware of the line crowds. I don't remember what ride we were in line for but he had a melt down that took about an hour to overcome. I was pretty worried about how I'd deal with the rest of the trip if he was going to wig out in ride lines all the time. Ahh ha... a light went off. (a small miracle in itself since I was so tired! LOL) The GAC. We made our way to Guest Services and I told them what happened and they said that they thought a GAC would help. The marked his stroller as a wheel chair (he could pull the sun shade down over himself if the crowds started to bother him) and they also marked alternate entries option for him to reduce crowds in general. That helped SO much! Because the lines (usually the FP lines) weren't as packed, it was easier for me to keep more space between me and the next person and in some cases we only had one or two people in the area with us. Some of the waits were pretty long still (not standby line long, but not just walk on) but it was much better waiting in a less crowded area.

Anyway -- I totally skipped over lunch here! We had ADRs at LTT and we got there about 11:10 (for 11:35 ADR). We were the first family to check in and I had it noted (on every reservation) that we were celebrating Ethan's birthday. Ethan didn't want to wear the birthday pin they gave him at check in (yeah, more of those sensory issues peaking) and the gal at LTT made him one. (He left it on for about an hour.)

Here he is in his train outfit I painted and the birthday button at LTT (lobby area)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/DSCN1468.jpg

While we were waiting, she came back over and said that we were their family of the day and asked if we would help open the restaurant for lunch. When it was time, we went up on the little balcony overlooking the lobby and Ethan rang the bell 3 times and I had a little script to read. "Hear Yee Hear Yee" something...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/DSCN14692.jpg
When we got to our table they had a certificate for us and there was Mickey Mouse confetti on the table.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/DSCN1472.jpg

After Ethan FINALLY ate some meat (wouldn't eat the Mac N Cheese - wrong texture, I guess) he got his first birthday dessert. He blew the candle out so fast it didn't even make the wick black! LOL

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/DSCN14762.jpg

As we were leaving lunch we saw Donald (Ethan's current favorite character) and there were only 2 other families in line so we booked over there. Donald had to leave to call Daisy and Ethan was the last child he saw before his phone call. Donald took Ethan by the hand and walked with him as he left the public area.

(animated photo sequence)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/donaldani.gif

I just realized that we never saw Mickey's Philharmagic! Oh well - it's not going anywhere, right? Right??!!

Anyway - we just took it easy. We headed back over to ToonTown (skipped it earlier) and let Ethan play in the water area for a little while. Then we took the train all the way around and got off the second time at Main Street (to go back and rest). Ethan got an assistant train conductor card and the conductor loved Ethan's outfit.

After our nap, we headed to Wilderness Lodge for dinner at Whispering Creek Canyon. A few observations -- there is not any whispering going on here. It's LOUD! (expected that - just think the name is funny for how loud it is...) and, if you want the full 'fun' experience, be sure to ask for a table in the main dining room. We got seated in the "library" and it was BORING! Very disappointing for us since it was supposed to be silly and fun for Ethan, not sedate and mellow. Our server did make sure we got involved in the ketchup 'game' when Ethan asked for "kepsup". Ethan was a bit overwhelmed and started to cry (I think if he'd had been able to see it happening at other tables first he'd have been OK) when a whole slew of people brought about 20 bottles to the table, but he REALLY got into it when we heard a call for ketchup in the distance. A couple of kids from a neighbor table grabbed some bottles and helped us (thanks! It would have taken us a lot of trips for just the 2 of us to get rid of all those bottles!!) When all our bottles were gone, Ethan was still trying to find more to deliver to other tables! LOL

Here's Ethan enjoying birthday dessert #2

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/DSCN1497.jpg

We headed back to the room and settled in for the night. Well, HE did. I had to wait until he fell asleep to decorate the room for his birthday. I had streamers from his party at home and knew the balloons were coming the next day. Actually, I should say that I had some help with the decorating. I had dozed off and awoke to see this bright green light darting about. I realized TINKERBELL was doing the work for me!!! She was hard to catch on film, but I got a couple of shots...

If you look very closely, you can see her!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/tink1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/tink2.jpg

And this is the work she did -- she even left him a cookie, which I allowed him to eat before breakfast, since it WAS his birthday after all!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/bdroom1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/bdroom2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/bdroom3.jpg

Ethan before I woke him up (note the bed moved against the wall -- ahh safety!)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/DSCN1508.jpg

Day 3 - IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY! coming soon...

[Grumpy]

WAKE UUUUUUUP ETHAN! It's you're birthday!!!!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/earlymorning.jpg

Early morning (especially for me since I was up so late watching Tink decorate our room), we had an ADR at Hollywood and Vine because I knew Ethan would Love seeing the characters. We were the second table seated and we scooted right over to the buffet to get some food and get back so we didn't miss anybody. Nothing spectacular on the buffet, but y'all knew that already, right? It was decent breakfast fare but neither of us are big breakfast eaters.

First to come around was Goliath and then JoJo:

(second photo is Ethan signing 'more' as Goliath walks away and he sees JoJo a few tables away)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/meeting-goliath-and-jojo.gif

Dance party time!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/jojo-goliath-dance.gif

Then he got to see Leo and June (He gave both of them a kiss on their noses - guess he really loves LE!)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/meeting-leo.gif

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/June.jpg

And another Dance Party! Woo Hoo!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/junedance.gif

After breakfast (got out of there about 8:50) we headed to the area to wait for rope drop. It was INSANE! Even though we started from a different area we ended up being trampled. One guy was actually trying to step over the stroller as we went through the walkway heading to TSMM. Ethan's stroller was literally right against the wall/doorway and he tried to push between it and the wall!!

ETA - I just found this photo online -- This is the walkway I was going through - the smaller entry on the far left that I circled. Ethan and I were pushed against the left wall of the "doorway" when that guy tried to squeeze between/step over us.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/door.jpg
http://www.tourguidemike.com/forums/image/s10.gif

People were going insane trying to get there! I pulled back some because Ethan was starting to stress out and looked for the most open areas to go (yeah, right... open areas?!) We got to go in the FP line (with his GAC) and had a moderate wait for a car to pull to the side for us. Fortunately, there was only one other small family in that queue so Ethan had time to distress from the crowds before we got in.
I'm impressed that Ethan scored at all since he had no clue what he was doing... I scored around 91000 the first time and 97000 the second time (went later in the day) Each time I got a little better and by the end of the trip, I was up to 154000.
Very cute ride. I'd have to say it was Ethan's favorite since, when asked what ride he wanted to go on again (on the last day and also at home) he said "the Woody ride".

I need to get Ethan ready for preschool - I'll post more later.

[Grumpy]

OK - let's see ... TSMM done...

After that we went to see Playhouse Disney. That was a little disappointing. It was very hard to see the characters and Ethan kept wanting to get up next to the stage to see better. Cute show, but hard to see.
Here is a shot where I held my camera way up in the air to try and get a view of the stage:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/phd.jpg

When we were done there, we snuck in the gift shop entrance to go see Sorcerer Mickey - Ethan LOVED that experience:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/meeting-Mickey.gif

I knew Lisa was getting in soon, so we started to make our way out of the park. She actually called as we were heading out - good timing! (we shared our room with her) We headed back to the room to wait and rest and when we got there the balloons I'd left at the front desk had been filled and delivered along with a signed photograph card of Donald and Daisy. (note Ethan's reflection in the mirror - he's eating the rest of his cookie from the morning and leaving Lisa some welcome crumbs... http://www.tourguidemike.com/forums/image/s2.gif -- at least they were on top of the cover and not in the sheets! LOL)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/balloons.jpg

After Lisa arrived we headed over to Coronado Springs for lunch at their food court. (wanted something different than what ASMu offered) We hopped back in the car and drove back to ASMu and Lisa got out up front so she could check out the property. We headed back to the room and found that the gift I'd ordered for Ethan (from Disney Florist) had been delivered:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/bdaypumpkin1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/bdaypumpkin2.jpg

We took it easy that afternoon and then the 3 of us headed back to DHS for dinner at the Brown Derby. (didn't take any pictures there for some reason)

As we were walking around the park before dinner we ran into some streetsmosphere and stopped to watch. They were really funny, although I can't find their names anywhere...
They asked Ethan all kinds of questions (most of which I had to help answer) and they appeared to be be taking notes. They then sang him a birthday song: "This is your birthday song. It isn't very long." That's it. http://www.tourguidemike.com/forums/image/s2.gif It was quite amusing and the guys really played their parts well.
Here they are singing to him:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/birthdaysong.jpg

After dinner we went over and rode TSMM again and then wandered around a bit looking for something Ethan could do. Lisa and I thought the Great Movie Ride would be a good filler before we headed back for the evening but they were already closed. We chatted with the CM out front and she suggested Star Tours. Since Ethan was too short for that ride, she called over to see if they were busy and if they could send us on a "test flight" (no motion) so Ethan could ride it too. They said they could so we trotted over there. Ethan seemed to enjoy the story line and I wiggled him around some to try and simulate the simulator. LOL

Of course, I called home a couple times so Ethan could talk to daddy and daddy sang happy birthday to him over the phone.

We ended Ethan's special day by going to the pool. My little waterbug had a wonderful time and Lisa seemed to have fun playing with him as well. http://www.tourguidemike.com/forums/image/s1.gif

[TravelinGal]

Thanks for finding those and reposting them!

I'll move my other post down here so it's sequential

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday 13 October --

Nothing too major going on today - just an easy morning since it's MNSSHP night.

Lisa, Ethan and I went to MK. One of the rides we went on was IASW - Ethan got a kick out of all the "little kids" (dolls):

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/iasw.jpg

We were wearing our silly princess (silly boys) shirts that day:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/silly.jpg

Ethan had his first ride on the "big boy rides" (40" height minimum) and had a BLAST! We rode BTMRR and he giggled/laughed the whole time. Then we did Splash Mountain. (Good thing getting wet isn't a sensory problem for him!) When both rides were over he said "Let's go again!"

We had lunch at Crystal Palace and Ethan really enjoyed meeting the characters there too. The table we were seated at had a bit of decoration on it for his birthday and at the end of the meal they brought him a card signed by the characters. It was very cute.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/cplunch1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/cplunch-meet.gif

OK - rest time... I'm sure glad Ethan went down for naps pretty easily on the trip because the heat and humidity was sure zapping all of my energy and I needed extra sleep too!

Time to get ready for MNSSHP.

I decided that we were going to go as Mouseketeers this year (easy to do/lightweight to wear) and Lisa decided she would join us in our theme. I did some research on the original Mouseketeers and saw the cute bows the girls had on their hats and decided that I needed one on mine too. During my research I stumbled upon a rare color photo of the gang. Did you know they were wearing royal blue - not black? Nobody really thought about it since the show was in black and white, but they were!

Anyway... Here are our costumes:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/TravelinGal/private/wdw%2010%2008/mnsshp.gif

We made decent time getting to the park and met some of the TGM Zag N Meet gang there for a quick dinner. The night included rides, trick or treating, viewing the parade and fireworks as a group and more trick or treating... When I went through all the candy Ethan and I got later it filled about 1 1/2 gallon ziplock bags. We could have done without the rain at the start of the party (sure made it seem more hot and sticky) but we were lucky it didn't rain all night.

I warned Ethan about the grave diggers and their noisy shovels ahead of time so it wouldn't freak him out and that seemed to help a lot. I told him when they were coming and he covered his ears until they were past.