The Big 40 Day 1

**Sam&Alex&Josh'sMOM** · 12-21-2012, 10:30 PM

Cast
Me . Trish, Turning 40 during the trip

DH Shaun 40, Wishes there was more Star Wars and Superheroes in the parks,,, but still smiles when his kids wave at the dolls on IASW and gets goofy for Goofy

DD1 Sammy(8), gamour girl fashionista

DD2 Alex(6) (well almost 6) dark sense of humor, her favorite ride is Tower of Terror.

DS Josh (2) VERY 2, Everything about him is 2! He is loud and loveable and brings smiles to everyone he meets, unless he is being loud and cranky. Then LOOK OUT! Also he calls his sister's MiMi (Sammy) and Lai Lai (Alex) Not sure how he came up with them... it just is. He is in love ith all things R2D2 (tho he calls it D2D2)

DM Claire 60+ Staying for the first part of the trip. Her main reason for coming is to see all the resorts dressed up for the holidays. She is our daycare all year long, and is NOT here to watch the kids. She is here for her vacation adn to meet up with us for dinners here and there. (probably sounds harsh... but really we live 1/2 mile apart... she has been to the parks with the kids before... and she sees them every day. She needs this break, and wanted to see the resorts, so we said "tag along, and do your own thing..." and she was game. She will meet up for a few dinners.

Staying at Boardwalk Villas, Renting Points. We (the 5 of us ) have a studio (yes its tight but Josh is under 3 and it can be done) and Mom has her own studio...

We are staying 11/28-12/7. (Mom goes home on 12/3) We have 10 day park hopper and meal plan.

The big 40 Day 1 (Wed 11/28)
We got the kids up and picked up Nana. Made it to Bradley and through security with no issues. Even tho we paid for Early Bird seats we got “B” tickets on Southwest, so we did better to load with the families with kids under 4 (Thanks Josh!) We needed 2 rows so we had to head toward the back of the plane. I have to say the kids did well during the flight. Josh, for 2, did really well, between reading books, eating snacks, and watching a video. Other than occasionally kicking the seat in front of him he did great. The girls are used to flying and stayed busy with books, coloring, leapsters, etc. We played musical chairs here and there with the adults as different kids had to use the bathroom, and I am glad I made each of the kids a PB&J to eat on the flight.
We made it to MCO and after one incorrect elevator mix up, got to Magic Express, and our bus for the Boardwalk. Our rooms were ready.. YAY… We were both on the first floor. Neither me or Mom really like the first floor, but wasn’t worth switching when rooms were ready. She was in 1081 and we were 1123. Down 3 very long hall ways. We always laughed because the girls would run down, and then wait for us at the end and they would look like those twins in The Shining “Come and play with us….” Sorry… sidebar… Anyway our room was not far from the hot tub and pool that was near the community house. We called to have our Garden Grocer food delivered and our stroller that we rented delivered with it, and once they were, we were off to Magic Kingdom.
We got there, YAY! We really like this stroller we rented DOUBLE YAY! I have no idea what we did first. I do know that we ate at Columbia Harbor House. It is my favorite CS in MK. We went upstairs where it was pretty empty. We got fast passes for Ariel, and scored magic fastpasses for Dumbo. This was our only day of cold weather where we stayed in long sleeves all day. I was hoping it would warm up for the rest of the week. I am glad we are hitting the soft opening for the new Fantasy Land, since the grand opening is the day before we leave, and while that is a day we are scheduled for MK, I am sure that area will be NUTSO! We take in Ariel, walk have some Lafou Brew at Gaston’s tavern (had to get both souvenir cups for the girls!) I know we also did the carosel and DUmbo and Haunted Mansion (which Josh refers to as the BOO as in scary ride) before heading back… We gave some fast passes for Pooh to another family on our way out. The kids were all getting cranky and we were better off just leaving and starting fresh in the morning. It had been a long day with an early flight, and we still needed to unpack.

**faline** · 12-22-2012, 03:34 PM

Isn't it nice when you can get right into your room upon arrival?!! Sounds like everyone did very well - especially considering it was a travel day which can be quite tiring!!

Happy birthday!!

**SBETigg** · 12-22-2012, 09:13 PM

Great that your mom could come along and do her own thing. I'm not a first floor fan either, but the rooms sounds nice and I love the long hallway Shining reference.

Glad you got to poke around the new Fantasyland before the crowds got heavy.