Originally Posted By momof4boys Since we have internet access at our hotel, I decided to get an early start on my trip reports while we rest in the hotel in the afternoon. Family on this trip includes 4 boys ages 13, 10, 9 and 7, DH ( David) and me. My sister is with us for a couple of days ( actually she leaves today). The drive- On Friday (3-10), we had an enjoyable drive to my parents' house in New Mexico. We were worried about the weather across Arizona- we kept an eye on the weather and decided to leave very early Sat. morning. By watching weather.com, it looked like we should miss most of it by leaving at 3:30 am. Boy were we wrong. We had been on the road about an hour when the snow hit. It was horrible. We kept thinkking it would lighten up, but it didn't. Itwas a very harrowing drive most of the way. We considered pulling off, but we weren't sure when the roads would clear. I spent most of the 14 hours praying that we would make it safely. About 5:00pm, we finally made it to the hotel. We are staying at the BWPPI. This is the fisrt time we have repeated a hotel. You just can't beat the location. I really wanted to stay at the DLH, but I couldn't talk my husband into the high prices. I had requested a room close to the front with internet access and that is exactly what we got. I couldn'thave picked a better room. Our room is very clean ( and the maid service has been great so far.) We are skipping the continental breakfast. We just have food in our room. We had reservations at Goofy's kithcen at 6:40pm. We had time to check in, unload and stroll through DTD. We found our brick in the esplanade- it wasn't there on our last trip. My sister arrived about the time we got to Goofy's. Goofy's kitchen- we usually go at 11:00am but this time we went in the evening. It was more money but probably the best experience we have had. The food was great ( my sister, brother and his family were there a month ago and said it was terrible. My sister said it was much better this time). We had great character interaction. Wendy sat with us for quite a while. We had a great time. After dinner we ran to the grocery store and then went to bed early- we were so tired after the drive that day! Sunday, March 12. I had been worried about what the crowds were going to be like. We got to the park around 7:30am ( it opened at 8:00 am) and were 3rd in line! Then another line opened and we were 1st in line! I couldn't believe it. It was chilly and overcast but not raining. The crowds were very light. We headed to FL. By 10:00 am we had done over 10 rides. We were able to ride in all the Golden Vehicles available there. We then rode HM, Jungle Cruise and BTMRR. We then went to Redd Rockets for our traditional first meal in the park of Chicken Fussili. We then rode Buzz. The crowds were starting to pick up so we headed to DCA. At DCA, we got FP for Soarin' and headed to Grizzly. we walked on that and headed to Redwood Creek Challenge. After that we watched Golden Dreams for the first time ever. It was okay. We toured the tortilla and bread factory. We went on Soarin. We then got FP for TOT and headed back to the hotel. Nathan had been doing very well walking in the morning. We got a Disney stroller when we got to DCA ( free with Disney Visa). Nathan fit in it okay but the basket underneath wasn't very big. Back at the hotel, Mickey had left cookies and snack money for the boys. They were thrilled with it. We reasted for a while and headed back to DCA. Nathan decided he liked our stroller better so we took it with us. At DCA we had dinner at White Water- this is the first time I have ever seen it crowded! But it was still enjoyable. It was then time for TOT. My sister and Nathan weren't riding it so she took Nathan back to Fantasyland. TOT was a strange experience for me. The only time I've been on it was once on our last trip and I rode it with my father- right before he had his heart attack. Riding it brought back strange feelings. We had 2 more FP for TOT so David and William (DS-10) rode it again and the rest of us went to DL to join Nathan and my sister. We then staked out our seats for Fantasmic and waited, and waited. It started to sprinkle and I worried it would start to rain. Luckily, it didn't. We then watched the fireworks from our Fantasmic seats- not the best view, but my sister wanted to watch- we plan on staking out better seats for fireworks tonight. After that, we headed back to the hotel to get some sleep. Well, that is all for now. The crowds have picked up today. The boys are itching to head back to the park now.
Originally Posted By RAM1984 Sounds like you are having a great time. I love it when we get there early and cover a lot of ground in the morning. Glad you got safely through the nasty weatherº0º
Originally Posted By Kala Wow, what a drive! I'm glad you all got there safe! Sounds like you are able to fit quite a bit in that first day. I will make sure we are there bright and early. The first ones in line, Yippeee! Thanks for sharing with us I can't wait for the next report.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I'd have been freaking out during your drive. We hit a thunder storm driving down Hwy 101 between San Luis Obispo and Ventura one time. I understand your happiness at getting to the hotel Sounds like a great start with Goofys Kitchen and plenty of ride time the next day I have never been to Redwood Creek Challenge. I always say that I'm sure I would have loved it when our kids were young
Originally Posted By crazy4mickey2 Mom, did you notice any new things on Redwood Creek Challenge? It was closed when we were there in Feb. I'm curious what was done to it. My DS, also 10, used to love that place when he was younger.
Originally Posted By momof4boys I asked the boys and they said they didn't notice anything new on Redwood Creek Challenge.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<TOT was a strange experience for me. The only time I've been on it was once on our last trip and I rode it with my father- right before he had his heart attack. Riding it brought back strange feelings. >> Hope these feelings are good-strange and not bad-strange for you. I understand, I lost my dad too early too. Awesome reports! I so enjoy them!
