Author Topic: Faith's first trip to WDW (Read 5343 times)

WadeJ · « **on:** February 16, 2008, 11:25:54 AM »

This will be a short trip report with some pictures. To be honest, I almost never finish the novels and there were just too many parts of this trip that I'd prefer to forget

.

Long story short - we had too many people with us that I think were just overwhelmed by the overall size of WDW and just weren't used to handling the all of the walking, heat, etc.

So while we all had a good time and it was nice spending time there and doing various things with grandparents, cousings, brothers and sisters, it also resulted in some stressful moments and maybe not always seeing or doing everything you wanted to do.

Of course for us, that wasn't really a big deal since we've already seen and done everything several times over. It was just difficult for me to deal with because I knew what they were "missing". Oh well, maybe next time. This was more of a learning experience I think.

Anyway, aside from some illness with some members of the family, all 13 of us made it there and back safely and had a relatively good time all things considered. And Faith was 100% great all week long which was a huge relief. She even started sleeping through the night while we were there! Must be the Magic

Onto the pictures

Ready for her first day. Hard to see but there is a Mickey on there

"the boys"

It's been years since we have done a character meal so this was fun

Why am I in this thing?

Couldn't use the flash but this was our 1st ever ride in the front of a monorail!

Daddy screwing with taking night shots with new camera and wide angle lense

Character Spot rocks!

more to come....

rjholla2003 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2008, 11:58:01 AM »

Front of the monorail is definitely fun. I can't believe you haven't done that in all that time. Cute pink outfit on Faith.

WadeJ · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2008, 01:06:23 PM »

/\ tell me about it. I think they are leary letting the little ones in there. In fact, the CM actually made it a point to say the "4" of you can ride up front if you like. He actually made it clear that Faith and mommy were not welcome. And I can see why. We've tried countless times and never made it so this was VERY cool. Plus, riding through all of Futureworld in the front is really amazing.

BUT, not as amazing as the other big highlight of the trip.... Going to Disney World with a GM employee has it perks

We got to visit the General Motors lounge at Test Track!

It gives you a great view of the final high speed turn

I always wanted to see behind these windows

You can also see into the indoor portion of the ride

Not the greatest picture but these were taken through glass into a dark room

Free soda!

There were awesome photos everywhere

The best part was the VIP door to hop right on the ride whenever you want

more pictures to come...

Dubya91 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2008, 02:17:29 PM »

That is just one awesome disney trip! WOW!

The pic of Faith in the sunglasses is priceless

overlord · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2008, 02:51:42 PM »

They were still building Test Track the last time I was there...

GADVwow · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2008, 06:05:13 PM »

Wow. Your family is just adorable. No other word comes even close!

And what an experience at Test Track!

WadeJ · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2008, 06:07:36 PM »

Here is one more picture from Test Track in the post-show

You can't go to Port Orleans Riverside without seeing Bob Jackson. Seriously, this guy is amazing. We've been going to see Bob since January of 1999. Matt even got his autograph lol Sorry for the blurry shot. It is a flashless photo to be polite.

Always need to stop by and play the drums in Africa

Luke's favorite park

Luke is finally big enough for the water slide! Port Orleans has some great pools btw

More to come ...

WadeJ · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2008, 07:48:52 PM »

Thanks for the comments guys. Were really blessed to have such awesome kids. All I can say is that while my boys are...well, lets just say, energetic, they definately do know how to have fun. So even though its incredibly tiring taking them, we have such a blast because they have such a good time which makes it fun for all. New this time around was having Luke walk everywhere since we would need to push Kyle and Faith in their strollers (NO double stollers! - they are torture lol) and he would make it through a whole day of park hopping with almost no complaining.

More pictures to come later tonight...

coastersue · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2008, 09:48:49 PM »

Adorable pictures, Wade!

WadeJ · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2008, 09:11:26 AM »

Okay, this should do it. It is such a pain going through hundreds of photos to try and find the few decent ones lol

The next two are important to me because each and every time we go (which I guess is rather frequent), I get a picture of each of them. Its just one of those things that is neat to compare as they grow.

Their cousin Sunshine liked it to but somehow, I don't think I'll be getting many future photos to watch here grow lol

Fortunately, the safari vehicle decided to wait until the day after we left to burst into flames. I'm seroiusly not sure how we would have done getting off the thing with 5 kids and the grandparents. We had a great tour - cold, rainy and overcast brought out all the animals.

The boys are now in love with Dole Whips thanks to their dad lol

Not sure what happened to this photo. Maybe its the strap? Anyway, this is the queue for Indiana Jones stunt show. While I've seen the show tons of times, this was the first time I've waited in the regular queue which was actually really neat!

Sometimes when we wanted to get somewhere quickly, I'd put Luke in the stroller and have Kyle stand on a support bar on the back. I think it slightly exceeded the weight limit but it worked lol. On the right is Matt (gorf1000 on updates)

Extra-cost parties (Pirate and Princess Party) = early park closings

Getting ready to go home, the kids actually laid still by playing graveyard lol

Bye Port Orleans

rjholla2003 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:55:12 AM »

One of my neighbors worked at Port Orleans. I almost stayed there, but chose Caribbean Beach in the end when my gf came to visit. Staying on property is awesome period!

darkridedan · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2008, 04:14:22 PM »

Everyone is smiling in the photos until the very ending. If that doesn't sum up a Disney vacation!

Wade, that tour looks cool. Every time Siemens comes to work I can't stop looking at their trucks with a huge grin on my face.

Dixie Landings sure is nice and the Riverside name sure is better.

coastermom · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2008, 05:36:32 PM »

Nice pictures Wade . Faith is so cute in her little Mickey outfit . The boys look cute too.

We loved the Riverside but as the kids get older think of the All Star Suites . They are amazingly roomy .

Love WDW can't get enough of it there .

WadeJ · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2008, 06:15:24 PM »

I'm not a big fan of pimping my kids on youtube but I had to post this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snynQlpcptg

Bubba Z · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2008, 06:42:42 PM »

Nice Pride Rock Mural ! WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORRRRRRRRRRRRRLD.

Wade I'm still checking school dates and talking with the boss about June. I'll let you know soon.

WadeJ · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2008, 07:03:20 PM »

Crap, I hope the Disney corp doesn't demand I paint over it LOL

Its still Feb bubs, that is why I figured we should start now

DianaR · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2008, 08:35:19 PM »

Very cool Wade!

coastermom · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:00:42 PM »

OMG that is the cutest video . Your boys were so funny I give that video a 10 .

overlord · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2008, 03:04:43 AM »

Is Port Orleans the one next to Dixie Landings?

WadeJ · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2008, 09:09:46 AM »

Port Orleans Riverside is the former Dixie Landings. DL is no more. Port Orleans French Quarter is right next to Riverside.

PcMan · « **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2008, 10:07:08 AM »

I haven't been to Disney in Years (more then 10 years)
and may try to get there by the end of the year or early next.
What.where is the best place to stay to get to see as much as the parks in say 4-5 days and a reasonable price.

Disney property is so big now since i been there.
would most likely do MGM.Epcot,Animal kingdom and a little Magic.

i was looking at maybe a 10 day pass for say 2 visits (this looks like the best deal)

overlord · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2008, 12:40:20 PM »

Quote from: WadeJ on February 18, 2008, 09:09:46 AM

Port Orleans Riverside is the former Dixie Landings. DL is no more. Port Orleans French Quarter is right next to Riverside.

No way! Damn...You can tell I haven't been down there in a long time. If the slide is still the same from when I went, I can vouch for Wade that it is a good slide. =] I love ~~Dixie Landings~~ Port Orleans.

coastermom · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2008, 01:14:13 PM »

Quote from: pcman on February 18, 2008, 10:07:08 AM

I haven't been to Disney in Years (more then 10 years)
and may try to get there by the end of the year or early next.
What.where is the best place to stay to get to see as much as the parks in say 4-5 days and a reasonable price.

Disney property is so big now since i been there.
would most likely do MGM.Epcot,Animal kingdom and a little Magic.

i was looking at maybe a 10 day pass for say 2 visits (this looks like the best deal)

We bought a 10 day hopper and will get THREE trips out of it . We used two days on the first trip and five on the next . We still have three days left. I figured we would combine it with a USF trip in a few years. It really was the best price wise deal if you get the never expire option with it .

WadeJ · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2008, 01:41:06 PM »

Unfortunately, they have really jacked up prices for the no-expire option. It's almost as much for a 10 day no-expire as it is for annual pass.

So I'd only go with that if you only plan on going back once a year for a few days, etc. Just be sure not to book it with your room so that you have seperate media for park passes. Once you hit 6 or more days it become insanely cheap to add more days. I think something like $2 more a day or something.

Port Orleans Riverside IMO is the best of all the moderates and values. And trust me, we've stayed at nearly every one of them lol. However, as Coastermom pointed out, if you have a larger family, the suites at the All Star value resorts are a great deal. They will soon be adding the same thing at Pop Century. For a family of four, Port Orleans can't be beat.

Sorry RJ, we couldn't stand CB. It was waaaayyyy to spread out and the cafeteria doesn't come close to competing with Riverside. Nicely themed though and nice rooms.

PcMan · « **Reply #24 on:** February 18, 2008, 02:45:23 PM »

what are the Perks for staying onsite ?
do they have a Boat ride or Bus transportation ?

If I go it would just be me and my Wife

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Author Topic: Faith's first trip to WDW (Read 5343 times)