....some closing thoughts.

Vacations come and go. They are mini-adventures with all the twists and turns of a good novel along with all the family politics that can rival the Tudors. This was no exception but still great fun and laughs. Although we spent time in different hotels it was a chance for my gang to hang out in one room and really experience Disney in a way that I had hoped for. Staying in the Polynesian meant you never left Disney world. The down side was we didn't have that day to day, hour to hour interaction with everyone we did in the past. But looking back and knowing how we moved around the parks, it may have been ok.

My key memories from this trip was seeing Jordan, Jillian and Jake no longer in strollers or needing constant supervision enjoy the parks as young persons should. Yeah, it was a vacation with extreme HEAT and then a brutal thunderstorms but it was part of our vacation together.

I did miss Hall of Presidents and the American Adventure but I know we'll be back. Disney world is a place where no two trips are the same and it NEVER fails to impress! See ya in 730 days Walt! Thanks for the great memories everyone.....

Saturday....heading home

Joe and Dorothy met up with us for breakfast at the Kona Cafe...our last dining experience in Disney world. It was, like all the others, super filling. Jordan's Tonga toast rivaled all others. After eating, Jill and Jake went to do one last trade with their Vinylmation Mickeys in the Polynesian but didn't see any they liked. We decided to take one last ride around on the monorail to the other shops in the Grand Floridian and then the Contemporary before loading up our bags and heading to the airport.

As we rode around it was a picture perfect clear blue sky morning. The kind of day that makes you feel like staying longer! In any case not only did we trade in the Contemporary we also found a Gymnastics necklace that was lost at some point. Jill was happy! As we pulled into the monorail station Jill, Jake and I walked back on the path to the Polynesian and talked about which resort we liked best and talked about coming back to Disney.

With bags loaded Joe and Dorothy waited for us in the parking lot and we headed out to the airport for our departure. Passing thru security and heading to our flight was quick and easy.

The flights went very smooth and we were back in Avoca by early evening where Bob and Carol were waiting for us with our cars. Needless to say....physically we were in Scranton but mentally we were still in Disney.

Friday

We got up early on our last full day in Disney. I have to say, I would love to extend our time here since it has been a great trip. Magic Hours were our calling for Disney Studios where Jordan and I caught Tower of Terror and Jen, Jillian, and Jake hopped on Rock n Roll Roller Coaster. The park was not nearly as crowded as it was on last Sunday. Everyone else hit the Magic Kingdom where we tried to meet but ended up taking advantage of short lines for Muppets 3-D and the Back Lot tour. Plus the kids got the world famous churros. So we didn’t miss Soarin, we shot over to EPCOT and grabbed some fast passes since we are heading back there tonight for dinner in Mexico. We saw the TRON monorail in view daylight today and it is a unique looking monorail but I was told it is only a decal and can be peeled away later.

Unfortunately, rains moved in again! This gave us some time to have lunch with everyone in Capt Jacks as they came back in from the Magic Kingdom. Joe Joe enjoyed a Dole Whip...or was it two? While there I learned how Matty tripped and lost his Astro Orbiter car in Small World. Luckily, Joe Joe saved his day and got a new one from the shop here in the Polynesian. We roamed around the lobby where Jake and Jillian both swapped out their Mickey’s. That has actually become a favorite activity of ours.

Little pool activity due to the rain threat so Jake and I wandered around the beach area until it was time to get ready for dinner. Our fast passes had us on Soarin by 5pm and it never fails to impress. We all enjoyed it. Jen wanted to get onboard Figment one last time so we took one more ride through. On our way to Mexico we hit Club Cool so Jen can sample Mezzo and Beverly. When everyone arrived we strolled into the Mexican Pavillion and had dinner. Jordan took her chance at ordering in Spanish and she did well.....at least we didn't get something different like a lead pencil with cheese.

After a ride on the new Mexican boat ride, we began to walk through the lands while Jill and Jake did a Kim Possible. This was a pretty interesting way to do a scavenger hunt with a variety of interactive items in China like statues that came to life with clues and appearing doors, etc..

By the end of the evening we said goodbye to everyone and realized the trip was ending. It was a combination of being tired and also a feeling a sadness knowing we had to head back home. On our way back out Jake and I rode Spaceship Earth one last time....

Thursday

Day of rest……kind of. We hung out at the pool and took out the speed boats on the lagoon. First, Jake and then Jillian. As we zipped around we got to see the sites from a different perspective. The ladies had a lunch date with Cinderella while Jake and I hit some rides to include Pirates, Jungle Cruise and then it happened. A HUGE thunderstorm rolled in. Everyone ran for cover. Steve and Matty got stuck on one of the monorails while the girls were in the Castle during the storm. Jake and I moved from cover to cover until we got to a place to eat (Casey’s). Jake was given a Magical Moment for having a big smile while everyone else was grumpy. An extra dessert was awarded. Finally everything settled down and the day resumed although a bit wet.

We didn't get to go into the pool due to the weather but we got ready for dinner at Chef Mickey's. Joe Joe and Dorothy joined us at the Polynesian where we caught a monorail to the Contemporary. That was my first time in there and it is quite modern and nice. The dinner was a character seating with a buffet that was quite good. After some photo moments with Mickey,Donald, Goofy, Minnie and Pluto we finished our dinners and spent some time in the gift shop. The kids picked up two new Vynalnation Mickeys and got ready to trade for tommorrow. We parted ways and it was late so we headed back to our rooms.

Wednesday

Woke up this morning….soar. Disney is in full gear. Grabbed a Nescafe coffee which I have become a BIG fan of while here in paradise. But Animal Kingdom was the order of the day. We headed out to the transports….and BAM! Disney fell apart. We got split up. Buses were running behind and Jake and I got separated from the girls. In any case we did make it to the Animal Kingdom. HOT. Holy cow Hot.

Did I say HOT. I want a shirt that says….” I survived the Heat at Disney 2010!” The park actually is quite impressive. If you really look…you actually pass through several continents and the vegetation and animals. After meeting up we hit Dino-land where we spun, sweat, and spun. Jake, Matty, and Jillian ran around Dinoland slid the slides, laughed at the dinos and climbed. But the best came when Steve took Jordan, Jillian, Jake, Matty, and Kayla on the Kali Rapids. SOAKED except for Miss Kayla!! Steve looked like a wet ball and Jordan never dried out!! As we split up and the gang had lunch at the Rain Forest Café we hit the Festival of the Lion King. After just watching the Lion King before we left, it was perfect. Jake wasn’t too thrilled at first but was laughing and clapping before long. Good time! Jordan picked our lunch spot at Pizzafari for lunch which was quite good. I don’t think we had a bad Disney meal yet.

Grabbed the bus back and got ready for a dip in the pool and dinner at Ohana’s. It was a full blown dinner. The meal was cooked on an open fire and served like a multi course dinner. The best piece was when chef T.J. brought out a special dessert for Jillian. An awesome touch!! Matty piled away some chicken nuggets and Kayla had everyone in stitches. Jack managed to chow down and then take a snoozer. Once we finished we split ways and then got ready for Magic Hours in Disney Studios. The park was all lit up. Jake, Jordan and I got in line for Tower of Terror and then they had to shut it down. So we managed to go on some other rides to include a dance party where Jill met some of the Little Einsteins. After a quick Star Tours ride, we headed back to the hotel and crashed for the night.

Magic Hours are ok when the crowds are not that big and your rides are open. But it is also cool to see the parks lit up and night.

Tuesday

Magic Kingdom was the order of the day. We used our Magic Hours to head in a bit early but found most of the rides were not ready yet. But Jen Jillian, Jake and I hit the race cars for a quick spin around the track. At that point the rest of the gang was heading into the park. Jillian gave Pappa his birthday pin for wearing in the Magic Kingdom. I ran for Fast Passes for Big Thunder while the gang went on the race cars and headed into Toon Town. Fast Pass is the perfect setup when the times work out.

Waters were flowing freely again but spirits seemed pretty good. The heat can really change the trip but everyone did well. Somehow I managed to miss getting MY fast passs and missed Big Thunder but I did already do it. While we grabbed lunch at Pinnochio’s House, the gang headed back. Joe, Dorothy, and Joe ate at the Kona Café. We had hoped to take out the speed boats on the lagoon but thunderstorms were looming and shut them down.

Today is Joe’s (aka Papa) b-day so a celebration is in order. We returned to an excellent Italian restaurant at the Swan. They cornered us off in a nice family style room where we had a good time and presented a few gifts and posed for a some photos….or ran around. We boarded a boat and sailed into EPCOT. Extra magic hours were used and it was fun to move around after Illuminations. A quick tour to see FIGMENT (yes Jordan…..as in “Figment of your imagination”) and Soarin was a loooong wait time so we went into the Living Seas…..where we walked in and sat down on a Clam shell to see Nemo and the gang. After a talk with Crush we went into take ride to Mars. Jillian Piloted our craft while Jake piloted, Jordan commanded, and Jen Navigated (OMG) . After a successful landing we thought it was time to head back to the room and charge up for Animal Kingdom. As we boarded the monorail….we realized it was the limited edition TRON all blue one. Very cool!!!!

We walked back thru the path along the Seven Seas Lagoon and into our room. Ahhhhh…..Disney.

Monday

The word of the day has been HOT and Monday was definitely no exception. Joe said we have had record temp days and it is very very hot but everyone is doing ok. The “grumps” have been few in number. The morning started early and I ran over to the Lobby and filled up our Mickey Mugs. Great deal! The gang got ready and we met everyone in the Lobby. After a quick photo by the waterfall, we were on our way to the Magic Kingdom. First ride……Winnie the Pooh which was a pleaser. Joe and I waited with Matty, Kayla, Jillian and Jake in the Dumbo line. Besides earning heaven bonus points, we almost lost the “peeeza” when it fell as we moved in the line to get on. No fear, it was retrieved with Kayla none the wiser!

Its tough to accommodate everyone but we were able to let some have fun in Splash Mountain. Wet. Wet. Wet. But it was perfect for the temps we had. The group strolled down into Liberty Square and energized with some fresh fruit. While Joe, Jordan, Dorothy, Sharon and Papa hit the Haunted Mansion, I followed Jake and Matty to the Old West Shooting Arcade. Even though the gun was bigger than them both managed to get a hoot from the owl!

With the heat still kickin we split up. Jen and I took our kids to grab a bite at the Starlite Café. All food disappeared and the meal plan saved the day! Gotta admit, I love the pulled pork sandwhich. We caught the boat back to the resort and had an afternoon of swimming in the pool. While jake worked on sand castles the girls swam and lounged. We actually have the best of both worlds……Disney and the beach!!

That night we had reservations in Epcot to eat at the Rose and the Crown. A quick spin thru Spaceship Earth and Imagination we walked to our reservation. Jordan did point out “What If” was part of the venue at Imagination. After a few tunes from the British Invasion, it was time for a Boddington and dinner. Although the menu wasn’t that attractive what we had was very good along with our seating. We had a nice long meal followed up by the best viewing point for Illuminations. No crowd and very impressive!

We made our way out and got a ride with Joe, Dorothy and Joe back to the Polynesian and were quite ready for bed. During the night….Jillian tumbled out. No injuries but scared us! She didn’t remember a thing.