Make a Wish Trip Day 5

At the orientation  Michael said they encouraged the parents to have ice-cream for breakfast one morning to make the trip unforgettable--so we took the wise advice and the kids thought we were "da bomb".

Day 5 was Sea World.  Of all the parks this one was probably the longest waits and it was very crowded.  Lot's of schools here for field trips today.  The kids got to feed Dolphins and Manta Rays and they were excited until right there---they ended up chucking fish at the Dolphins but by the end were tentatively stroking the sides of the Dolphins quickly.  Feeding the Manta Rays was a different story all together.  No cute smiling faces on those fishies!  You have to hold the dead little fish sticking straight up between two fingers then place your hand flat on the bottom of the pool.  Then the Manta rays glide over your hand and suck up the fish.  The are very slimy feeling and look sinister, plus there were hundreds of them so you would be watching one glide toward you and not see the one from the other direction and it would really startle you.  I was hoping the kids would warm up but Michael and I ended up feeding all five trays of fish the kids wimped out on us, although some of them did stroke the Manta Rays as they swam by.  We went through a shark tank tunnel and it was amazing to have the sharks swimming all around you---I was surprised at how scared the kids were by that---again no roller coaster to big but seeing sharks up close through inches of thick glass was too much!  I liked those pictures, they look so freaked out!  We saw the sea lion and otter show and the Shamu show.  I went 30 minutes early to get us seats for Shamu and ended up with room for about 4 people at the VERY TOP of a huge stadium, apparently 30 minutes wasn't early enough.  It was blazing hot at Sea World without the shade like the Disney parks have so we got "burnt" out kind of quick that day, but it was Christmas at the Village on Thurs. nights so we got back early enough to see Santa and each of the kids got a toy from him too.

Ice-cream for breakfast, it's dairy right?

This is one of the fun decorations at the village, and this picture is for Aunt Courtney who loves chocolate dipped strawberries.  If I could have bought this for her new house I would have!

A picture of our rental van and villa.

Jax and Zoe on our Villa front porch, I want rocking chairs on a front porch, it's so homey!

Feeding the Dolphins, I didn't do great at getting the pictures  because it kept Michael and I non-stop to help all five kids.

Jax and Zoe at breakfast, maybe she would always be so happy in the morning if I gave her ice-cream.

From left to right the first five riders are mine!

Waiting for the sea lion show to start.

Some adorable humans at the penguin exhibit.

Jax trying no to look too concerned in the shark tank.

Sierra's face typifies how they all felt in the tank.  You can't even see Zoe and Carter hiding in Michaels legs.

The sharks were right there, everywhere, it was so cool.

Sammi and Zoe looking at the sand sharks and Sting Ray's.

Zoe in the shark tank.

Zoe was brave enough to pet the Manta Rays' even though she wouldn't feed them.

Make a Wish Trip Day 4

Ahhhhh day 4, the day when at 7 am you wake the kids up and they look at you with pain and sleep in their eyes, begging you for more rest, and a podiatrist.  Then you get them to the Gingerbread house for breakfast and they make many "trips" through the buffet line picking this, then that, then a little more of that.....and before you know it we are in the rental van with  happy kiddos.  We went through the rest of  Epcot today then moved on the Disneys Hollywood Studios.  Before we left Epcot we used our special Make a Wish Pass for a VIP room at the Epcot ball.  We were very impressed, interactive computers, drinks, and a place to rest in the peace and quiet.  Plus when we left they took us a back way right on to the ride in that building.   The highlights of today were seeing Carter's excitement over the Star Tours ride and the fear we all faced in the Tower of Terror Ride and Aerosmiths Rockin Roller Coaster.

Just like monkeys --- Zoe is grooming Carter while we wait for a ride.

Zoe found some baby ducks to cuddle with at Epcot.  How did Michael and I get an animal lover, both of us are animal tolerators?!

 

I took this picture for that day in the future when we replace our ancient front door--I want this one next!

We went to the Beauty and the Beast show at Hollywood studios, it was good,and not just because we got to sit for 30 minutes.

The fam on the bus for the backstage tour at Hollywood Studios.

Sammi entering our secret code to be admitted to the VIP room at Epcot.

Base 21 VIP room.

Zoe distressed that her feet still hurt even though she switched from tennis shoes to flip flops.

 

This is possibly my favorite picture of our trip, the boys and their Dad holding hands, excuse me while I sigh and wipe a tear!

Carter on that speed bike racer thingy from Star Wars, he was bummed it didn't take off and go.

 

Cougar was so excited getting on the star tours ride that he was shaking!  He kept saying "I tan't believe I det to do dis"!

Fire, flood, just like any day with the Noftles.

Michael and the kids in France (Epcots' France).

An actual Darth Vader Costume---thrillsville!

The good ole' USA at Epcot. 

Zoe really got into the whole posing for pictures thing, she has modeling in her future, she'll need to make alot of money to pay for all her pets!

When we got off the Tower of Terror ride (if you look back to Nov. 2008 you'll see I vowed to never go on this ride again---I will do almost anything for my kids!) Carter said "remember me to never go on this ride again".

The boys waiting for the Toy Story Mania ride---we all LOVED this ride!  Another point scoring competitive ride.

Make A Wish Trip Day 3

Day Three dawned bright, as the Florida Sun gleamed off our shiny blistered feet.  Some of the kids had never experienced the exquisite pain that too much partying on your feet brings, so when they saw they had blisters they were quite alarmed by their painful presence.  I however, outsmarted my blisters (not really but it gave me some small amount of relief) and switched from my supportive tennis shoes to my usual $9.00 Wal*Mart pair and got along much better, blisters and all.  This was a Magic Kingdom and Epcot Day, we would not be deterred by silly blisters--onward men!  Valuable lesson for those of you going to balmy Florida in the future---we discovered (through a personally funded research grant) when you get too overheated you don't need to spend $70.00 on cheeseburgers for seven people.  You just need to spend $70.00 on frozen lemonades and churros because that's all they wanted (of course that was decided after everyone had 3 bites of burger).  We rode splash mountain several times, everyone was a fan.  Then Michael and I convinced everyone to go in the Haunted Mansion; and since they were nervous about it the ride it just had to be stopped about 3 different times for a few minutes each time, they felt that was cruelly spooky!  They all loved Thunder Mountain railroad, and were freaked out by Pirates of the Caribbean until they rode it and then saw it was nothing to be afraid of --- so it was rode again. If you know Sierra at all you know that since age 3 she has had Pirate themed birthday parties,but she was almost crying she was so nervous.  I was glad she realized it wasn't scary and was able to relax and enjoy it the second time.  I was constantly surprised about what rides made the kids nervous, not the roller coasters or thrill rides but always the ones that were too realistic or surprised them in any way.   On a different note, Michael and I were impressed by their ability to usually walk right through the gift shops (Carter excluded) that are strategically placed at the end of each ride---they did so good.  Everyone got a souvenir this trip we just wanted them to see all of the parks before deciding what they wanted , you know to avoid buyers remorse (Think gold Saturn Minivan!).

Carter and Sierra about to fly away on Aladdin's magic carpet ride.

Showing their "I'm soooo scared faces" before the Haunted Mansion ride, they think I'm a dork but they also know I'm persistent so they humor me!

Sierra, our Pirate, outside of Disney's Pirates, our pirate is much cuter!

It's a Small World after all....., when we got off Carter wanted to know "what's that ride all about anyway"?

Jax, Zoe, and Sammi on Aladdin.

We tried, really we did, to save kids from the blistering boredom that is the Riverboat ride.  But when they saw this huge Riverboat they just knew it had to be awesome.  It's not, no shade, no fun, and no speed to create a breeze.  Maybe now they'll listen to us---ha even I don't believe that!

Ever wonder what happens to overheated, over hungry Cougars on a Riverboat?  Now you know, be warned!

Don't you feel sorry for Carter?  He wasn't tall enough to go on the Mission to Mars thrill ride at Epcot. The very ride that made Sierra and Michael sick. His Mom felt so sorry for giving him her short gene's, that she tried to make up for it with frozen strawberry lemonade.  I think he dealt with the disappointment well. 

Make a Wish Trip Day 2

Day two started with a Photo Op with Mickey and Minnie, I think all Mondays should start that way, it's nice I think.  Plus, those two are by far our favorite Mice---ever.  Then after meeting the two superstars of Disney that Monday had Michael working on the rental car situation until 11in the morning.  The kids and I spent the morning at the Village.  So after breakfast in the Gingerbread house we wandered over to a building that just looked fun!  The looks weren't deceiving  There was a ginormous model train city and the kids could turn sections on and off. Video games,  the good ones like Pac Man Arcade (p.s. hint to Michael when preschool ends this month buy me an Arcade Pac Man game ---I think it will fill the hole in the basement nicely hint hint honey) and six remote control boats.  You run the big toy boats from inside the building and watch as the Noftle's speedily get all six boats stuck.  Good thing we don't make a living driving remote control boats.  They also had a fun mini-golf course there that the kids liked (well except for the scary cave part!).  When Michael got our mini-van he picked us up and we drove to Disney's Animal Kingdom.  The jeep safari-- amazing, the Lion King Music-- Incredible, the river ride fun, the rest just so so.  We stayed there till 5ish then went over to the Magic Kingdom.  I love the Magic Kingdom, I know it's childish but I just don't care.  I hope someday they decide to let one lucky family live in Cinderella's Castle and it will be us----Bliss!!  The Buzz Lightyear ride saw plenty of us, we loved trying to beat our previous scores with the blaster guns, and we (mostly me---I would love to do that ride with my sister Heather in fact, blood bath!)are quite competitive.  We made it through all the rides in tomorrow land thanks to our Jackson and his VIP badge, no waiting in lines for cute boys like him.  His family benefited greatly from that. Several times (thank heavens for sunglasses) the sweet treatment the Disney Cast Members gave Jax moved me to tears.  Jackson said Disney makes even Cancer fun!  I wouldn't go that far but they sure are kind to Make a Wish Families.  We stayed until park closed at 10pm.  We rode the ferry back to the parking lot and Carter entertained hundreds with his lightsaber dance, it really is quite a show, you should catch it if you ever get the chance.  We ordered pizza at the Villa and then gave everyone a quick shower (Florida makes you sweat ughhh!).  We were all tucked into bed by midnight with the alarm set for 6:45am, and I am beginning to realize that this vacation has killer hours!

Carter was being grumpy at the end of the marathon Day 2, and Jackson is jokingly keeping him company--but Carter is authentically grumpy!

It's a Bug's Life gave you coolio 4-D glasses.  My crazy kids would ride the biggest roller coasters and thrill rides at every park, but were scared of the 4-D shows.  Weird!

Some girl chat with Pocahontas, ya know just chillin with their home girl.

Here we are at the Village with our favorite mice.  (I got to hold Mickey's arm!  But Sammi  got a kiss from him--Luckyyyyy)

The Lightsaber EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

Carter and Zoe brushing a sheep(?) at Disney Animal Kingdom.

Zoe and Jackson ready for another "shot" at it---did I mention we liked the Buzz Lightyear ride?

Daddy and Sierra ready to take on Zurg.

Waiting for the Lion King show to start.

Carter getting ready for another buzz lightyear ride.

Jax and Carter with that Character (?) from Lion King.