DISNEY WORLD 2006

July 9, 2006

Weather: Nice in the morning, muggy and hot in the afternoon.

Today we went back to Animal Kingdom (with Grandma this time) and got to see the rest of the park. We missed the shows as we were always too early or too late for the show but it didn't matter - Drew was hot and miserable and Bill and Bradley wanted to bail soon and get to Blizzard Water Park.

Drew and I went on a kiddy ride after they left, and then Grandma and I (and Drew) called it a day. We went back to the villa while Grandma read, I did laundry, and Drew snoozed and snoozed. He was tuckered and hot, and when we got back he had his baba, blanky, baby, and pillow - he was set.

Oh, and if you are wondering about the "crib" situation with Drew, he is now sleeping in the big bed with his brother (the resort gave us some bedrails to use). He really sleeps well there, and when we come back home tomorrow night, I have no idea if he will like his crib again, or if we will have to haul out the toddler bed. But at least we figured it out for the trip.

Tina stopped by about 5:00pm and we went down to the pool that is closest to our villa - it is a smaller pool with no water slide. It also has a playground - something I wish I would have known sooner for all the lazy mornings we spent in the room. We took Drew to the pool, and he loved it. Of course, he loved the spa more, as he is used to the spa at home. Grandma enjoyed watching all of us and I couldn't help but think how surreal it was as Grandma used to watch Connie, Tina, and I in the pool everyday in the summer for so many years. And now, she is watching a new generation of swimmers.

Bradley and Bill got to the villa just as we were leaving the pool. Tina left...with a bag full of snacks that we didn't eat...and then we ordered pizza from the Mickey Pizza House at Port Orleans (they deliver). Mickey has monopolized on providing everything here...I mean...has thought of everything to provide us and make our lives easier at our stay here in the Magic Kingdom. ;-)

We have had a wonderful time here at Walt Disney World - I don't see myself ever coming back for a long while (and forget buying into the vacation club). While I enjoyed it, and I think Bill, Grandma, and the kids did too (and of course I love Disney); the lines, the people, the weather, is something I don't need every year. We have so much to do in California and of course so many other things to still do with the kids (Hawaii, Washington D.C., a cruise, etc) that I don't think this is something we have to do again for a long time.

I haven't mentioned yet (because I hate to whine, BUT....)that this trip has brought bruises, blisters, neckaches, backaches, stomachaches, and Grandma has a bruise that keeps getting knocked around and bleeding. By the time we get back we will all need to heal our weary bones, bruises, and blisters.

Bradley and I have really been enjoying the jacuzzi tub in the room, and have been soaking in it at night - it feels so nice. I asked Bradley what his favorite ride was and he said, "None of the rides, just this jacuzzi tub" - Wish I would have known that BEFORE the trip and maybe we could have gotten the bathroom remodeled :-)

Grandma has said her favorite thing was to see Drew's face light up when we went on Small World. She said just seeing how he enjoyed the bus rides, the Disney Characters, boat rides and plane rides, was worth it for her. Bradley and her also share a special bond and Bradley has really been keeping an eye on her. She has enjoyed his sheer joy in all the fun things to do, especially at his age because he can do most all of it.

I think I am the most glad to have seen Epcot and experience the enormity of "Disney World". Just to say I have been here - finally. I wish we would have taken more advantage of our resort - the pool, the kids activities, the night life, the bar ;-), etc. But we can do that another day, another place, at another resort, and it will be just as fun.

Bill has enjoyed this trip more than he thought he would. It has been a huge help to have him here, and of course, I wouldn't have wanted to come without him. He has enjoyed seeing the kids have such a fun time, and especially liked his time with Bradley today at the water park. He and I have also enjoyed our couples time together a few nights as well.

We have enjoyed bringing Grandma here for her 90th birthday. It is terribly sad that she cannot see or hear the many things that go on at the parks, and even visiting with us at the villa (and at home for that matter). She has the energy of a 20 year old, but unfortunately not the body. I am so grateful for her, and I love that we were able to this with her. We will remember this forever.

And so it is, I am off to packing, again, and go home to Ventura tomorrow. A limousine will pick us up for the airport, which will be fun again for the kids and Grandma.

Farewell. I hope you enjoyed this journal or blog as we now call it. Good Night...and see you all tomorrow!

July 8, 2006

Weather: Really nice actually. About 75-80, little rain about 8:00pm for 15 minutes.

Today we all slept in a bit, then Bradley and I went to the pool for a swim and a little watersliding. After about an hour, Bradley and I headed back to the room with hamburgers and ate lunch with Grandma, Bill, and the kids.

After lunch we headed to Epcot again. Last time we were there it was brief as we just went around the park and waited for the fireworks.

So today we actually rode some of the rides - only one fast one, the Test Track - the rest were slow and Drew and Grandma could go on them.

We had reservations at the Coral Reef restaurant next to the Living Seas exhibit. It is a restaurant surrounded by an aquarium that our neighbor recommended. The food was OK and way overpriced, and Drew had enough of the day already, so needless to say not our most enjoyable meal. However, it was a real pretty restaurant and the aquarium was pretty cool.

Tina had joined us for dinner, and then decided to stay with us for a bit and went on the many boat rides Epcot offers. After about 8:00pm, though, she took Grandma back to the villa.

The four of us stayed and saw the "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" show, complete with watershow and fireworks. Bill and I and the kids really enjoyed it. At the moment everything was happening, I couldn't help but feel at that moment that there was no place I would rather be, with my family, and watching this really magical show.

The park closed after that and we went home. What a great day. I was glad to see Epcot finally after being told about it for so many years.

Good night...

July 7, 2006

Weather: About 90 until about 2:00pm - Then heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. Still raining...

Today, Grandma figured she was too tuckered to venture out. So she stayed home and really rested while we all had quite an adventurous day.

First, we went to a "Character Breakfast" with Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. We ate at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom, and the food was quite good. We saw all the characters and got plenty of pictures, movies, etc. It was a lot of fun for the kids, and frankly I enjoyed it too. I never did that as a kid...I don't even know if Disneyland does that?!? It was great letting the kids experience it and they thought it was really something special.

Right after that (about noon) we headed over to Animal Kingdom. We were there only about an hour when a huge thunderstorm hit. It was so bad we were forced into buying raincoats (Ponchos). Some of the rides were open for a while and Bradley talked Bill and I into going on a couple - and yes, in the POURING rain! We took turns with Drew as he was staying nice and cozy under an awning in his stroller.

We finally looked at the clouds and knew there was no end in sight, so we went back to the villa. (Also, lightning, and they stopped the rides). So, since we don't have anything planned for Sunday, that is something we will probably do again.

We got to the villa, dried off, changed clothes, and went to Downtown Disney - by this time just a slight drizzle - and had Italian food. We hadn't eaten since the breakfast so we were all starving. (Except Grandma of course, who was grazing all day in the warmth of the villa)

We made it to the villa without much more rain, and we got our PJs on and lounged. We did a lot today, but since we didn't stay out late, it doesn't really feel like it.

Good night...

July 6, 2006

Weather: High 88, Rain at about 6:00pm (Cleared up at about 8pm)

Today started as a lazy day, with Bradley and I waking up quite late around 11:30am. Bill woke up with Drew, but quickly dozed off again on the couch while Drew and Grandma ate breakfast.

Today, Grandma had planned to rest, read her book, and just chill. But since we didn't leave until 2:00pm, she decided to go with us to the Disney MGM Studios.

The kids had a blast there, seeing the 3-D Muppet show, and the Playhouse Disney. We also went to see the Car Stunt Show that I didn't think Grandma would like. But after she took her hearing aids out, she said she thought it was an amazing show.

Bradley also got to see and take pictures with the Power Rangers so the day was great for him.

It started to pour right before the car show had started, but quickly cleared up just for a bit for the show, but after that we thought we would get pizzas and stay dry for a while before heading to the villa.

We came back and were quite tuckered, so we all said our good nights and went to bed.

Good night...

July 5, 2006

Weather: Not so hot today, about 80, and balmy.

Today, Bill was sick. He had been getting a cold with a sore throat, and today he just wanted to rest.

So, Grandma (Greatty), Drew, Bradley, and I went to the Magic Kingdom all by ourselves. We went and visited the other side of the Park, Adventureland and Frontierland and it was great with Grandma's new pass. We got on all the rides quickly and it was a very pleasant day. We ate ice cream for lunch and then went to eat at a cafe on Main Street...something besides Hamburgers/Hot Dogs.

When we went on Jungle Cruise, Drew was so interested. He is only a little over 2, but you can see the sheer joy on his face that he is loving every minute of this. He also seems so appreciative as well. Bradley, too, was very helpful with Greatty as I had to handle Drew on most of the rides.

We came back about 8:30 and Bill said he got a lot of rest. MGM Studios was open late for Resort Guests, so Bill and I went there and went on the Tower of Terror and the Rock and Roller Coaster (two times each) as Bradley wouldn't like those, and we were able to do them-sans kids and Grandma. They were both amazing rides, really clever, as with most Disney rides.

Just a great day all around.

Good night...