Friday 6/19-DCA
Sorry, it has taken me so long to get back to this but I got really busy working 10-12 hour days and I didnt have the time.
I wanted to sleep in this morning but the people before us had the alarm set for 6am and I didnt even think to check it before we went to bed. I stayed in bed until my husband who was being loud woke up Abby @ 6:30 am. I decided I should just get up and take a shower. I have to say that I slept pretty well and the beds are really comfy. The beds are soft so if you like a hard mattress then you may have issues.
By the time I was done the girls and the rest of the family was up. My husband also went to the lobby to get me a cup of joe. I brought some vanilla coffee creamer from home but it still took a lot for this coffee to taste half-way decent. I have to admit that Im a coffee snob and we make Starbucks at home everyday.
At 8:30 we headed to the concierge lounge. We used the outside elevator to get to the lounge. The kiddos thought this was really cool since you had to use your key for the elevator to open. The lounge was really empty! They had cold cereal, bagels, fruit, and pastries for breakfast. I love the fact that they have a small table for the little ones. There is even a TV for them to watch Disney shows. I love listening to the Park music they pipe in. Its really nice and relaxing to look out the big windows and see both parks. It just makes you excited to start your day.
We grabbed a ton of water for everyone and headed out at 9:00. The line for the Monorail was huge by this point!! Security was a breeze and the lines for DCA were growing but not bad. While we waited I slathered up the kids with sunscreen. My sister and I also signed up for the daily drawing at the Honda display.
When the gates opened we headed straight to Soarin. My Mom was debated if she wanted to take the scooter or park it but after she saw the sworms of people heading to the ride she jumped off and came with us. Hubby also picked up a Parent Swap pass so he could ride after us. We had a short wait and got the first row. Yay! If this is your first time experiencing this ride I suggest you ask for the first row. You feel like youre the only ones on the ride and your totally immersed in the ride experience. Any other row and you have a nice view of dangling feet. Everyone loved Soarin! My husband and Gabby stayed back to go on with the pass while we headed over to ToT to get FPs.
When we got over there the wait was only 10 min so my sister and her 2 kids decided to go on. I went to go get FP to ride later and found out that you needed to be smarter than the machine. I couldnt get the darn machines to work! I finally had to ask a CM to help out. Found out that it wasnt me but some machines have a hard time reading the hard plastic cards. I grabbed 8 of them for later.
While we were waiting all the characters started coming out by ToT. This was so cool. Abby wasnt too sure about Mr Incredible and Scully. Since there was no one around I got all the kids books signed while we were waiting. Since it was taking so long I went in through the gift shop and waiting for them where you can see all the pictures. Finally, their picture showed up and Kyle look terrified! My sister loved the ride but both kids hated it!
I finally called my husband to find out what was taking them so long. I guess they made a stop in the Hollywood backlot to ride Monsters Inc. On our way over the kids stopped and took some pictures with the characters. This is the perfect time to see them all. No crowds!!
We all went on Monsters Inc and it was a walk on. In fact, this whole area of the park was dead. The ride was really cute and Im disappointed that I only rode it once. Gabby didnt tell me that Roz talks to you too. We were waiting to get out and Roz said, Hey lady in the back row I like your glasses. Of course Gabby just busted up. I then waiting for my parents and sister in the car behind us to see what she would say to them. Roz said, Is that man next to you your husband because he was making googly eyes at her, but he wasnt her type. Too funny!!
There was no line for the free picture with Chip and Dale with our Disney Visas so we headed over to get it done. They took there time making sure both girls were looking at the camera. I have found that some Photopass people didnt.
The FP window opened up so my husband wanted to go and Sister wanted to go back on again. My husband also wanted Gabby to try it and Kayla even though she said she didnt like it wanted to go on again. Instead of waiting I took Kyle and Abby over to Bugs Land. We made a little detour to get FP (11:40-12:40) for GRR for later. When we got to Bugs Land it was empty! I remember waiting 20 minutes to ride Hemlichs chew train. Which is not worth it! Since it was a walk on we went. I thought the last time we rode it had different scents throughout the ride. This time I thought I could smell vanilla for cookies but that was it.
Kyle wasnt big enough to ride the bumper cars b himself so we had to wait. I took them both over to the water away and they had a blast getting wet. It was also nice to sit down and take a break. I took some pictures and video of both of them. I then realized that I was left without a cell phone so I couldnt find out where everyone was at. When I was just about to leave, they were all heading in. Found out that since Gabby didnt like ToT, my husband, sister, and Kayla used the remaining FP to ride again.
When the gang showed up they did the bumper cars, the spinning lady bugs, and the food boxes. This is a nice little area for little ones who cant go on the big stuff and for whimps like me who dont like the big stuff! The kids were cranky so it was time to find food. I had printed up some index cards with all the menus on them so it was easy for everyone to see what was available. We decided on the Taste Pilots Grill.
The line wasnt so bad when we got here but by they time we ordered the line was out the door. We secured 2 tables outside in the shade and I went inside to order with my Dad. Having the cards was so nice since everyone could decide and not go in the line with us. The burgers are ok here or so what I was told. I dont eat red meat. I had a chicken salad and the chicken was soggy. The onion rings were really tasty and you got a nice sized tray for $3.49. The kids nuggets were tough to eat but they did get eaten. I got a toddler mac and cheese for Abby and she could have eaten 3 of these. The mac and cheese came in a 4 oz cup. It also came with applesauce and a choice of beverage.
Our FP window for GRR was already up but we headed there anyway. The stand by line was 30 mins. They used the FP with no issues. I was left with Abby which is fine with me since I dont care to walk around in wet clothes. I was also stuck holding purses and cameras too. Abby fell asleep in her stroller so I munched on a frozen lemonade while I waited. Even with FP it still took them 20 min. They came off the ride soaked but loved it! Since it was 1:30 we headed back to the room through the GC entrance. We stopped by the concierge lounge for some snacks and more water. Again the lounge was empty.
The kids were off to the pool with my mom and sister, my husband was off to the bar, and I was left in the room with Abby while she slept. I think I also dozed off too. I checked my work blackberry and responded to some emails and then called one of the Managers I work with to confirm our dinner tonight at 8pm.
Everyone else got back from the pool, cleaned up, and headed to the concierge lounge for snacks. The kids ate PB&J with other snacks so this ended up being their dinner. We decided to head back to DCA to use up the ToT FPs we had left from the AM.
We used the GC entrance which is very nice and makes you feel that youre not walking that far. When we arrived I grabbed FP for GRR to use for later. With the 2 remaining ToT FP Kayla and my husband headed off. The rest of us walked back over to screamin hoping to get on TSMM since everyone was lining up for the Pixar parade. We got back there and it was a 40 min wait. Bummer..The line for the Mickey fun wheel wasnt bad but nobody wanted to wait. Off to the Orange Stinger. There was no line so all the my Sister took Kyle and Gabby on. By this time the parade was heading our way. They wanted to ride the Stinger again but they shut it down when the parade gets down there. Since the only way out of here was to go back the way we came we decided just to watch the Parade and Im glad we did. We didnt have the best view but some people where kind enough to let the kiddos sit up front and my Dad put Abby on his shoulders. Dont worry he was in the back not blocking anyone. Everyone was glad we decided to watch it and its a good thing since we never made it back to see it like we wanted too. Gabby even got to see Jack Jack catch on fire which I missed. I would say if you have the time go and see this Parade.
We headed back to Pizza Mow Mow to use the restrooms and to try and find my husband and Kayla. As we were walking over to Mullholland we saw them walking towards us. They too, got stopped by the Parade and just decided to watch it. The wait for MM was 15 min so they all went on even my Dad. It seemed to take them longer than 15 min though. My Dad thought it was to jerky but the kids loved it. My sister dropped Kyles hat on the ride and he was really upset. I told them not to worry that they probably clean the ride out each night and they might find his hat. She confirmed this with the CM and she told us to check lost and found in the AM. I needed to go pick up the pictures we took earlier with Chip and Dale so my husband, Abby, and I headed over to Greetings from CA while the rest of the gang rode MM again. We were going to meet at GRR.
The pictures turned out pretty good, and they were even better since they were free. I also had no issues picking up my Sisters as well. We let Abby pick out a stuffed animal and out of all of them she picked Daisy. I really thought she would have picked Minnie. We also picked up B-day Mickey ears for Gabbys B-day the next day. Once we got Abby and Daisy buckled in the stroller we were off to GRR.
Just my husband, sister, Kayla, Kyle, and Gabby rode GRR. Nobody else wanted to get wet and by this time it was cooling off and the wind picked up. It was around 7pm so we decided to head back since my husband and I were going to Dinner at 8pm. We used the GC exit again. Everyone else went to the concierge lounge while we went back to the room to get ready.
We headed to Naples and arrived at 8pm. The people we were meeting were running a little late and said they had to park really far away. I decided to sit outside since it was so noisy inside. It was a little chilly but bearable with the portable heaters they had going outside. My co-worker and his wife showed up and we had a really nice dinner. The food was good, we had some nice back ground music from DTD and we even had a great view of the fireworks from out table. My Company also picked up the tab for us!
We got back to the room around 11pm and found out that Abby was to keen on going to bed without Mom and Dad. I found her in bed with my Mom. We were quickly off to bed since tomorrow is DL, MM, and Gabbys 8th B-day.
Tips
Check your Hotel alarm clock and make sure the previous guest didnt leave the alarm set
Go see characters by ToT shortly after the park opens
Pixar Parade is a must see with little ones
Dont ride GRR unless you want to get wet
Ask for the first row on Soarin
Eat lunch if possible during off times or you might stand in some long lines
Use the GC entrance if possible. It sure beats walking all the way through DTD
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