We carry moist towelettes. A *Mostly* Germ-Free TR ........

[Muffinygood]

Trip report pre-trip countdown....


So, I started planning this trip for myself (M) and my DS, (N) back in July when I received a discount promotion for the Disney Resorts. We’ve stayed on property before but they were only 1 or 2 night stays at the beginning or end of a much longer stay. Usually we rent a vacation home about 2 miles from the main gate. I love renting the house because we all get our own bedrooms and bathrooms and a pool right outside the door! There is something about vacationing at a resort though! You don’t have to make your bed. You don’t have to fill the dishwasher. You don’t have to even pick up your towels off the floor of the bathroom! IN FACT, the Disney Mousekeepers encourage you to leave them there so they know to replace them! WHOOHOO :banana: :banana: :banana: This is to be our first trip, just mom and son, ever! I am so excited to be going. He has NO idea. None at all. The trip is going to be a 10th birthday present. And a surprise. I have to keep the secret until we leave for WDW on Sept. 1st! Can I do it? Well, we’ll see. I’ve never actually kept a secret for two months before.



My DH is helping me plan this trip. The airfare is cheap cheap cheap! And that’s a great bonus to the very inexpensive stay we’ve booked at the Wilderness Lodge. This is our first stay at this particular hotel. I am looking forward to it very much. I’ve read the entire WL thread on the DIS to prepare for our stay. Requested our room choice (5032) and let them know that we were celebrating N’s birthday. :bday: Made our ADR’s for Narcoosee’s for a birthday extravaganza dinner, Whispering Canyon for bfast one morning, Hollywood and Vine for our MGM night dinner and a character bfast at the PR for our last day there. The trip is going to be 3 nights/4 days. N is even missing the first day of school! Lucky him!


I was obsessed with keeping this trip a secret! We didn't tell my older DS, who's 14, because we were afraid he'd slip and he barely speaks. My DH came up with a code word for all discussions involving the "trip." The code word was "brown." Don't ask me why....my DH said that was a good one so I went with it. But, that did attract alot more attention to us as the kids would always question a conversation that went, "So, the brown is looking good." "Really? That's great. I bought you a new camera for the brown." Confused looks all around. Sometimes even from me. :confused: Anyway, despite our bizarre attempts at espionage, we managed to keep the "brown" a secret. Go figure.



I hope everyone finds something to like in my trip report. It was a great trip with lots of pitfalls and some truly sweet moments. Photos will be included in the TR once I get rolling. That is if I can figure it out. This was a roller coaster ride of a trip! Tune in next time when M will say......

.........................”I‘m not sure you can actually breathe water. What? It‘s humidity?”






popcorn::

[scottny]

Ok I found you. I look forward to hearing of your trip. R u going to post pics?

[Trentmom]

See..I told you if you Post a link, they will come!!!

:cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

Good Start..........

So, you took your son for his 10th bday?? That is so nice:goodvibes

Did you do the same for your other son??:banana:

I can't wait to read all about it and to see some pics!!!


Postng pics is easy. You just need to take them off your computer and put them in a program like photobucket or imageshack..

Then, after you upload them to one of these programs...there will be codes listed underneath....You want to pick the one that starts with [img] and then copy and paste that directly in the reply to thread box and hit submit post and they should appear:thumbsup2

[cmp1111]

See, we will follow!

Hi, I'm CE. :) I read Jen & Tera's report, too. I went for a first family trip in May and am now completely DIS addicted.

Great start!

[mousescrapper]

HI :wave2: Muffinygood,

Your title caught my attention, got to love sanitzer.....I also love your picture-OPUS! My DPapa gave me a lttle Opus stuffed animal when I was proably 10 something, holds I special place in my heart, don't remember why I got it, but he sure is cute:cutie:

Anyhow, I hope your suprise trip with your DS was great, how special! Would love to hear more about, hope you'll be back to post some more.

[dismom9761]

I already like it! :thumbsup2 I understand how you feel though,I started my first trip report a few days ago.My biggest fears were that nobody would read it or I would bore people to tears.:scared:

Anyway,I can't believe you kept it a surprise!That is so cool.:cool2: My son's bday is in a few weeks(he will be 10) and he asked to go back for his present.

How did you tell him?

Love the code talk.:thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

Yay! You guys are sooooo cool! I know there's a way to multi-reply but in my excitement I forgot to do that! Duh! ;)

So,
1. Thanks Cmp1111! I am so happy you think I'm off to a good start. And congrats for joining the crazies!

2. Trentmom- When you're right, you're right! :)
No, we didn't do this for the other son. He's neglected! :sad2: It's a long story, but he's going to Washington DC with Dad for his birthday and it's their 2nd trip alone together...yadda yadda yadda! And THANK YOU SO MUCH for the posting pic info! That way I can answer ScottNY....

3. Yes, ScottNY, now that Trentmom has shown me the light I will endeavor to post those pics on a hosting site (terminology?) and then you can see them!

Thanks to all of you! You guys are so great. I look forward to telling you all about our trip. Germs and all.....:eek:

[cmp1111]

1. Thanks Cmp1111! I am so happy you think I'm off to a good start. And congrats for joining the crazies!

No problem! And, feel free to call me CE. :hippie: Crazies are my kind of people... :rolleyes1

[Trentmom]

You so funny..He neglected...:rotfl2: :rotfl2: That is nice he gets an alone trip with his dad...:goodvibes

to multi quote...go to each post your want to include...right next to the button that is quote, on bottom right, there is one next to it, it says multiquote, when you hold your cursor over it.


So, click on multiquote on every post you want to use, then hit post reply at top or bottom.....and then all the quotes will appear in your actual reply:thumbsup2

Hope that was not too confusing:goodvibes

[Muffinygood]

I already like it! :thumbsup2 I understand how you feel though,I started my first trip report a few days ago.My biggest fears were that nobody would read it or I would bore people to tears.:scared:

Anyway,I can't believe you kept it a surprise!That is so cool.:cool2: My son's bday is in a few weeks(he will be 10) and he asked to go back for his present.

How did you tell him?
Love the code talk.:thumbsup2


Gosh, I missed you in my reply! It was SOOOOOOOOOO hard to keep the secret! I'm a big blabber mouth. My DH said NO way could I do it! Well, he was wrong! AGAIN! ha ha ha haha :rotfl:

I am starting your TR right now! So, there, we don't need to be a-scared anymore..:thumbsup2

Keep reading! I will try to get the morning of the the "REVEAL" done tomorrow morning!

And get some pics up if I can. :goodvibes

[jcc0621]

I followed you over form Goofy and meeska's report. Great start. Can't wait to hear about how you told DS:goodvibes

[CruisinEars]

I followed you over her from goofy and meeska's thread too. Great start so far and I can't wait to read more. My son is going to be 10 for our next trip in May, so I can relate.

[Disneyolic]

Yes...links really do work. Now get writing! :thumbsup2

[HomeschoolMama]

Subbing... I'll be back later to read, but I wanted to sub before I forget! :thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

Subbing... I'll be back later to read, but I wanted to sub before I forget! :thumbsup2

Thanks! And Welcome! :goodvibes I have the next installment written but I'm trying to fuss with the photo things.... If I don't get the photos worked out I'll at least post the update today.

Yes...links really do work. Now get writing! :thumbsup2

See above! Thanks for jumpin' on DM! :woohoo: Oh, and I love your myspace page. I have tink on mine too!

I followed you over her from goofy and meeska's thread too. Great start so far and I can't wait to read more. My son is going to be 10 for our next trip in May, so I can relate.

Ten is the best! I love 10! And welcome! :)

I followed you over form Goofy and meeska's report. Great start. Can't wait to hear about how you told DS:goodvibes

Goofy and Meeska's TR is probably the best one I've read! I have no illusions that I'll come close but I'm going to enjoy telling our story anyway! Welcome! :thumbsup2

[dismom9761]

popcorn:: :hourglass

[Muffinygood]

Ok, when I left you guys I had just got done planning the trip (the essentials anyway, like hotel and airfare and ADR’s). The next two months will feel like, approximately, seven years! How on earth am I going to do this?! :confused: Well, the in-laws came for a visit and then we did back to school shopping. That ate up a week or two. I spent my days reading Meeska and Goofy’s TR () and reading all the information I could on other sites like Allears.net and the threads on the DIS that apply to our trip. I was going to go the usual route for our Disney trips and plan out a daily itinerary but then figured that N would want to pick and choose what rides and things we see since it’s HIS birthday! :idea:

Wow! It’s only August. This is going to be a loooonnnngggg wait. :eek: Well, believe it or not we make it through August somehow. We had a 6 tornados rip through our county one night in August. One of them, an F2, manages to take down an entire small mid-western town. Thankfully, not mine. :worship: We spend a crazy amount of time at the pool that we have membership at. N and Z take tennis lessons at the local park. The whole time N complains that he is hot. And sweaty. He hates the hot weather, he says. Why does it have to be sooooooooo hot? Please, it was only 90 about 5 days this summer! This bodes ill for the trip to FLORIDA in the SUMMER!!!! Arghhhhh!!! At no point can I say, “Uh, it’s going to be WAY hotter when we go to FL for your birthday!” So, I say things like, “Well, think cool thoughts.” Lame. And then I run home and report to DH that the “brown” is NOT looking good. He says, “What were you thinking?” Ok, no help there. I spend the next 2-3 weeks till we leave watching the weather channel and hoping an artic front will speed on down to Florida for our time there.

This begins the time of “Extreme Worry” for me. I have to email his teacher and tell her why we won’t be there for the first day of school. She’s cool. Then somehow get every pair of shorts clean for our trip and squirrel them away without attracting notice. Not to mention cook meals and put them in the freezer for my hubby and older DS, Z. Oh, and my mother is coming to visit us the day before we leave for FL! She always comes for the kiddos birthdays so it would be odd if she didn’t show for this one even though the birthday boy will not be here. So, I’m making arrangements for her arrival and pick up at the airport.

**side note**
I have not told ANYONE of this trip. Not my sister, not DH’s parents who live in FL, no one! I was so worried they would tell him.

So, the Inlaws are calling and asking what N wants for his bday. I don’t know. I have no room left in my brain for anything NON-Disney related! I say, money. Well, that’s probably what he wants. I don’t know.

The big day looms closer and we set up the “GREAT DECEPTION” as we are now calling it. Two weeks prior to “the day” we are having breakfast at the table. N asked DH where he was working that day. He sometimes works from home. DH says, “I have to go to the airport.” DS, “Where are you going?” DH, “Nowhere, I have to pick up a package at FedEx. If you get a package that’s heavy or very large they make you pick it up at the office, which happens to be at the airport. ” DS, “Oh, I wondered how one FedEx guy in the truck could deliver heavy stuff all alone.” Ok, phase one complete!

Two days before “the day” we brief DS14, Z, who is sort of jealous but too kind to hold a grudge. He tells us he wishes we hadn’t told him because he will worry that he’d spill it! We make dinner reservations for the local “Mongolian BBQ” place for a birthday dinner with us 4 and Gramma. She arrives the next day. I retrieve her from the airport and admonish her the ENTIRE 25-minute ride home to NOT SAY A WORD!!! We go out that night for a great dinner and come home to cupcakes and presents. He’s thrilled.

**side note, again**
N has done something very odd this year. He informs us about a month before his birthday that he has enough stuff. He does not want to have a friend party unless I tell them not to bring gifts. And when asked what he wants from us and Dbrother, he says nothing. So odd.:sad2:

Anyway, we buy him gifts, but they are little ones. Drum sticks from DS14, a t-shirt with his name on it from mom and dad, $ from Gramma. He’s thrilled. But now the hard part arrives. We have to get him into bed early because, we inform him of this during cupcakes, his REAL present is too big and is arriving at FedEx at the airport! TA DA!! And he will have to get up WAY early to go get it because with the Labor Day holiday if we don’t, the office will be closed till Tuesday! He goes to bed begrudgingly, and asks at least 4 times, what it could be? We all play dumb. As soon as he’s asleep we go into Ninja Packing Mode. Finally, around 11 pm I finish all the planning, packing, arranging and plotting. I fall into bed and sleep for 4 hours. :scared:

More on the “reveal” later guys! Sorry about the cliffhanger.

Next installment will feature the reveal (TA DA!!!) and the first half of our first day in the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. Oh, and some pics finally!:love:

***note*** I got the pics onto Photobucket!! Yippee for me!! Thanks to Trentmom for the tech support!!! Here’s one from last years Xmas trip so you all can see what we look like. Enjoy because until the Photopass pics come in the mail, I believe this is the ONLY photo to feature us BOTH because we didn’t have DH to take pics!!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/untitl1.jpg
That’s DH, DS14, DS10, and Moi... oh, and it's not our 1st visit, it was just our first visit to GF resort and they gave me this pin.....

[jcc0621]

Oh no you didn't just leave us hangin' like this:headache:

CLIFF HANGERS SHOULD BE OUTLAWED ON THE DIS:rotfl2:

[Priorityonecb]

Great start!! I love reading "surprise" trips!

[luvmyboys]

I'm IN! Can't wait to see how he reacts!!

[scottny]

:scared1: another one on here who does cliffhangers. :confused3 Great lead up to the departure. looking forward to more.
:thumbsup2

[dismom9761]

AAGGHHH!:scared1: Great update but....can't wait to see how he reacts!:woohoo:

Have you said your dates?I think we were there at the same time.

[cmp1111]

Nice picture!

Good for you for keeping the secret! Can't wait to hear more...

[Muffinygood]

Now I have guilt that I left you guys all hanging! :laughing:

The very short night’s sleep that I got did not really rejuvenate me. I woke up with a start. What time is it? My husband kicked me in the shin (nicely...) and said, “It’s time for Mickey!” I think I actually groaned. Why on earth, can someone tell me, do we plan these early morning flights? I have a theory that when you are planning it and it’s months away you are SURE you will SPRING outta bed ready to go to Disney! But, every time I do this I think, “Why WHY Why did I do this???” :confused3 So, a fast shower and then last minute packing and then waking up the house. N says, “I don’t care. I’ll get my present on Tuesday.” No! You! Won’t! :scared1:

SO, bleary eyed and slightly nauseous (this is important, though I seem to always get butterflies before a trip) we get into the mini-van and drive to the airport 25 minutes away. Barely anyone speaks which is a relief because I can’t keep a secret on 4 hours sleep. It’s not light out yet. I think it’s about 5:15 am. Ugh. We roll up to the front of the terminal and park. DH gets out and says, “Everyone stay in the car, except Mom.” I get out and he says, “Get the camera ready.” Good thing he’s with it. I prepare and he then gives the signal for everyone to empty out onto the sidewalk. He opens the trunk and then turns to N who is looking weird. DH says to N, “N, when we said we had to come to the airport to PICK UP your present we sort of lied. We aren’t here to PICK up something. We are here to send something AWAY. You.” N looks stricken. Then DH hands him a suitcase from the trunk and says (while showing him the tag for Magical Express) “You and Mom are going to Disney World.” N was stunned!!! Then he said, “Really???? Is this a trick???"
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0227-1.jpg
Picture doesn’t do it justice. He was blown away!!!

Once we gave everyone hugs and kisses and said goodbye we rolled our bags off to security and got to the gate for our trip. N was so quiet the whole time. I finally asked him once we got through the security snafu if he was happy! He said, yes just tired and shocked!

The plane boarded without incident and took off about 10 minutes late. Not too bad. I slept a bit on the way down. I snapped this one just after they announced that we were ready to take off.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0229.jpg

I was going to try to get to the first day but I have a teenager to deliver to a friends and N is home sick with tummy flu so....the next update will have to wait till morning I’m afraid! But, I felt guilty leaving you hanging so I gave the reveal! Tune in next time!!! :love:

[scottny]

That was great. He looked very shocked in the pic.

[cmp1111]

Boy, you're easy to guilt! ;)

Thanks for the reveal, hope N feels better soon!

[jcc0621]

<ust be the italian half of me, easy to make people feel guilty:rotfl2:
So glad N was surprised. That picture is proceless:thumbsup2 Can't wait for more.

[Muffinygood]

Great start!! I love reading "surprise" trips!

Me too! Did you know that they have a whole thread devoted to this on the Dis? I found out just before we left. They are called KOTS-Keepers of the Secret!

I'm IN! Can't wait to see how he reacts!!

Thanks for coming on by! Hope you enjoy the read! :love:

AAGGHHH!:scared1: Great update but....can't wait to see how he reacts!:woohoo:

Have you said your dates?I think we were there at the same time.

I just subbed to yours! I'm up to page 7 so far. Great pics! We were there from Sept. 1-4th. I think we were there at the same time, but we had only two park days since it was such a fast trip. Keep reading!

That was great. He looked very shocked in the pic.
Thanks! :) You'd think a kid that just got a trip to WDW would look happier! But he looks like we just told him the moon REALLY is cheese. Ha! Keep reading! Thanks for being here. :love:

Boy, you're easy to guilt! ;)

Thanks for the reveal, hope N feels better soon!

Don't tell my mom! She's been trying for years! And thank you from N. He's feeling pretty blue right now. :sick:

<ust be the italian half of me, easy to make people feel guilty:rotfl2:
So glad N was surprised. That picture is proceless:thumbsup2 Can't wait for more.

Yes, the Italians almost have the guilt market cornered! :lmao: But, my mother is French, Dutch and German and she's no slouch either! Thanks for coming by. Hope you keep reading! :love:

[Trentmom]

Hey there.

Just caught myself up. SO, glad my directions for photobucket did not confuse you:goodvibes

Love that you left us with a cliffhanger...must have learned that from Goofy and meeska report:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

I love it.....I don't care, I will get it Tuesday....:lmao: :lmao:

Doing great job, keep up the good work:thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

[/SIZE] Yay! Another update! Well, when I left you last we were safely on the plane heading for sunny Florida! :woohoo: The flight was uneventful, just the way I like it. We ordered our ginger ale with NO ice ( I read once that the ice on airplanes is SERIOUSLY dirty) and shared our biscotti cookies. I had packed some Quaker Oatmeal to Go’s in my carryon bag too. We ate those also.

Luckily, the airplane had XM radio so I listened to the news most of the time. N listened to some sort of Spanish Techno-Dance music.:music: It was hilarious! We landed in Orlando at around 9:30 am. That is a good and bad thing. We arrived really early so we got to enjoy most of the day there, but you know trying to check in that early is impossible!

We found our way across the airport to the Magical Express Counter to get the bus to our resort, The Wilderness Lodge. Let me just add that these people are SUPER organized! I was SO impressed by how many folks they had at the airport directing things. It all went as smooth as glass! At no time was I worried we were heading the wrong way or getting on the wrong bus. Our driver was friendly. :car: He greeted us and told us to get comfy for the ride. It seemed to fly by even though we stopped at Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0234.jpg
Arriving at the WORLD! Thru the Magical Express windshield...

Then it was our turn! Yay! My first reaction to seeing the lobby at the WL was, “Oh Wow!!” N echoed my opinion. Before we had even checked in he was saying, “I think this is my favorite hotel at Disney.” :hyper:

N made a break for the cartoon/tv nook and watched some funny Mickey Mouse cartoons while I got to do the hard work. Check in was efficient, though they “upgraded” us to a courtyard view room (I had requested a North Side, Monorail facing room) because my request was not available. That’s ok, we’re here to have fun, not sleep! He assured me that we were welcome to use anything we’d like including the restrooms, pool, restaurants, and shops until our room was ready. When would that be? Well, here’s a little card with a number on it and you can call later and see if things are ready. OK!

I planned ahead and packed our swimsuits, sunglasses, a rubber band for my hair and brush etc. in a separate bag so we checked our big bags with the bell desk, grabbed the little one with the beach stuff and my purse and headed in to the General Store to pick up a VERY expensive bottle of sunblock. Though I never regretted the purchase!!! http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0243.jpg
N with the totem pole outside the General Store! Rubbing the nose for luck!

We then changed in the restrooms and headed out to the pool around 11 am. I have to say that I was VERY impressed with the cleanliness of the pool and bathrooms. We swam and had a good time in the pool until we decided we were starving! http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0238.jpg
N zooming down the slide! He loved this slide!

So, wet and soggy we slogged in to the Roaring Forks where we got a ham sandwich, refillable mug with hot tea in it, pasta salad and a chicken salad to eat. Oh, and a sugar cookie to share. This was to be the last “real meal” I ate till Tuesday...I know that sounds unbelievable but it’s true. The salad was delicious and N loved his sandwich. He ate like a lumberjack. For those of you considering or already booked at the WL, I wish I could tell you more about the other restaurants in the hotel but things were about to go pretty screwy! :sad2: I’m sure that they are all wonderful but we never got to them. But every experience we had with Roaring Forks was great.

We called after lunch to see if the room was ready (it was 2 pm) and sadly, no. So, I suggested that we go for a ride on the boat from WL to MK to FWCampground and back again. It’s a good way to sight-see and we can kill some time. We changed clothes and N refilled his mug (now it’s only cost me 10$...ha!) We walked over to the boat launch and passed the geyser on the way. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0246.jpg
This is from the geyser walkway facing the hotel. It was not erupting at that moment. Can you see the humidity?? It was SOOOO humid and hot that day. It felt like being in a sauna.

Our boat ride was uneventful, the sky looked sort of threatening at this point but it held off until we stepped foot into the hotel again...literally. At that exact moment we had a thunderstorm unlike any I’ve witnessed! I would swear to you that I saw lightening hit the lake! The lifeguard was roping off the pool and nearly jumped straight outta his shorts! We hid out in the hotel and went to the shops. Not too much shopping here. We also found our room (5064) and the arcade. By this point it was around 4 pm. I know they usually say all rooms ready by 3 pm. Well, let me tell you we called and called and they finally said, “Well, Lodgekeeping does not go home until 4:30pm so they technically have until then.” Great. I am sweaty, sunblocky, chloriney, and hot! I need a shower! And we have lots left to do! I wanted to make it to the Polynesian for the Tiki Torch lighting ceremony. They do it every night outside the lobby (in back) at 6 pm. This is going to be cutting it close if we don’t get to shower till 5 pm! Well, we go back out to the pool and swim again and that takes about an hour. Now we both really really need a shower! Finally, the room is ready! Yay! We run up to our room and shower. The view is GREAT! N snaps this photo from our balcony as the geyser erupts at 5 pm. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0259.jpg




Come back later and find out if those Tiki Torches get lit and where we encounter flaming children.......:scared1:

[jcc0621]

Great update:thumbsup2 I love WL, never stayed there, but I always love going there when we do our "resort" day. (It also helps that my mom is a CM at Artist Point;) )

[scottny]

Great update. never been to WL but I will be there for Whispering Canyon next year so I can look around.

[Trentmom]

Another great update!!

That pools looks amazing and I love the Wilderness Lodge. I have eaten there and toured it, but never stayed there..someday.

So, now you got me curious....You said Roaring Foarks was your last real meal until Tuesday???

Then, you said something about things were about to go screwy...

What went wrong??

[cmp1111]

I wish I could tell you more about the other restaurants in the hotel but things were about to go pretty screwy! :sad2:
Well, THAT is ominous! :rotfl2:
Oh, wait, the flaming CHILDREN comment is a little more so! :lmao:

[Trentmom]

Great update:thumbsup2 I love WL, never stayed there, but I always love going there when we do our "resort" day. (It also helps that my mom is a CM at Artist Point;) )

I just saw my name in your siggie..You are quite welcome and thank you for putting me there.

You are the 2nd Diser who has me in their siggie for that Boo Pumpkin...very cool:cool1:

[dismom9761]

I love the two updates!:goodvibes Your pictures are fabulous.:thumbsup2

Way to leave us hangin...again.Screwy?:confused3

[Muffinygood]

Welcome back folks! I have glaucoma and am having trouble with the little print...is this too big?

When we last left you we were showered and dressed and ready to go grab a boat to the Poly for the Tiki Torch lighting. Well, this might be old knowledge to you folks, but I was shocked at the amount of time it took for boats to transport us anywhere! It’s an enjoyable way to see things but I swear every, single boat we got on was going to the OPPOSITE thing we wanted to get to. For example, we needed to be at the PR by 6 pm (NO LATER!!) to see the torches. First, we get stuck waiting in the “canal” between the CR and WL because another boat was coming. (by the way we got on the boat at 5:20 pm.) It was only going to the CR and MK. So, where do we go first? CR of course! argh! . We got to the monorail and made it FINALLY to the PR at............................6:20pm! OMG! Ok, I will NOT freak out. Just because this one thing we had planned did not pan out. We’re ok. No problem. Just look around and take some pics....

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0263.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0265.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0267.jpg
After seeing this pool, N has decided that although the WL is his “new fave” we will stay here next time just to use that slide!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0266.jpg
It’s a bit blurry but those are the torches that we missed......
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0262.jpg
You’ll notice this cup in most of our pictures I think! It never left his side!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0269.jpg

After we did our “sight-seeing” at the Poly we decided that we’d better be off to our next adventure................the marshmallow roast at Fort Wilderness Campground (FWC) with Chip and Dale. They light the fires at about 7 pm. There is a sing-a-long and then afterwards a movie outdoors. We left the Poly at about 6:45 pm. We had to then get on the monorail to travel back to the MK and then take the boat over to FWC. Easy, right? Well, not really. Holy Moly! There were about 7 bazillion people leaving the MK when we got off the monorail. It was like swimming upstream walking down the ramp to the boats and then the lines....oh the lines for the boat! argh! We waited patiently (have I mentioned that it was REALLY HOT????) and boarded by about 7:15 pm. I was getting anxious about getting to the campfire since I didn’t know if they shut them down before the movie or left them going. It was going to be our first visit to this activity. We refilled our cup at Poly (from the water fountain) and finished that off on the way. We arrived at the FWC at 7:45 pm! And then we walked from the dock, to the Pioneer Hall where we got on a bus then rode around to where the campfire was. I was complete inner turmoil at that point! All I could think was, “We missed it!!!!!!” and I walked 800 miles in deadly heat to MISS IT!!! Well, fears were unfounded as the fires blazed away merrily and the place positively TEEMED with small ones. There is a little chuck wagon next to the area that has food/drinks/popcorn and smores kits or just plain marshmallows to buy. OH, and sticks to roast your mallows on! Well, I hopped in the line and bought us a LARGE drink to share and refilled our mug again from the water fountain. Carrying our drinks, marshmallows, sticks and my backpack we moved to where the action was.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0271.jpg

Well, this is the part where the flaming children come in. I don’t think I would be out of line or exaggerating to say that there were HUNDREDS of kids there. And about 1 tenth of them were supervised. Now, call me a crazy fun ruiner (my oldest does) but when we have marshmallow roasts in our backyard we don’t let the children (even the big ones) do it unattended. Kids are drawn to fire like, well, you know. After a few minutes it became clear that it was not only impossible to get near the fire safely without getting burnt by some errant child with flames coming from his inferno (i mean marshmallow) it was getting worse! Now we have a group of boys, about 5 years old, who have decided to stop roasting marshmallows and just leave their sticks in the fire till the catch fire (full on flames!!!) and then chase people around (a DENSELY packed area) till it goes out. Well, I leapt into outraged momma mode! WHERE IN HOLY HECK are these kid’s parents?????????????? I grabbed one little offender by the back of the shirt just before his FLAMING stick poked out a toddler’s eyeball. He looked up at me in my “mode” and quickly skulked off. By the time the music started I was DONE. N was having a blast (I never let on that I was freaking out!) and in fact later he mentioned how fun it was to roast marshmallows in Disney. Cool.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0273.jpg
But as a footnote to this outing, I will say, BE WARNED! You cannot imagine the utter lack of parenting that is going on there! N said, can we go back to the hotel and watch cartoons and order room service? Sure thing dude! So we left Hades, I mean the campfire and went back to the bus, then the boat, the the hotel. Whew!
We were both wiped out from our very early start and long, hot day. It was fun but whew!
We arrive back to our room to find this!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0281.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0279.jpg
Once we were in our room, cleaned up, jammied and watching Kim Possible we ordered our food (chicken tenders for both of us, fries and sprite). It arrived around 10 pm. YAY! Well, maybe yay. I don’t feel so great. Huh. Must be that I’m tired and hot and well, maybe I’m full of marshmallows. But, yucko. Not feeling great. N chows down his dinner in record time. He’s happy! Again, that’s all I care about!
I pass on the food and drink my sprite. We finally end our night around 11 pm. I am exhausted. But the bed is comfy and out I go.

What’s in store for tomorrow? It probably isn’t breakfast. ..... Tune in next time!!

[Trentmom]

ANother great installment.

I can't believe those kids at the marshmallow roasting...what were there parents thinking?? Apparently nothing:sad2:

I am a little worried about what comes next.....:goodvibes

[scottny]

Sorry you missed the torch lighting. The campfire sounds like fun just not with unruly children. I saw that when I was there, parents letting there kids do whatever. I do not understand it. :confused3
Hope your not sick for the rest of the trip.

[Disneyolic]

I really liked your update. Even though you were freaking out over those kids, at least N had a good time! Those are the moments that we love. When all is said and done, if your kid remembers a good time, so will you! :thumbsup2

[jcc0621]

Great update:thumbsup2 We did the campfire on our last trip and DS loved it, except for the fact that he only got to meet Chip - since depending on which side you were on, you only got to meet one. He was upset that Dale had to go in because he wasn't feeling well:sad2:

We didn't run into the problem you had with the kids but the parents:scared1: Right after they made the announcement that Chip & Dale would be coming out they asked that the middle aisle be cleared out because that is how they would get to the front - This woman drags her 2 kids to the front (We were in the 1st row of benches to the right if you were facing the stage) put her beach chair down, put towels down for the kids to kid on and then proceeded to give them hot dogs to cook over the fire. She then gave the CM a hard time for making them move becasue C & D wouldn't be able to get by. I felt bad for the kids (Probably 6 & 7), they were mortified and wouldn't look at anyone:sad2:

We would definitely do the campfire again, but I would plan it for a night that they were showing a movie that DS would actually watch.

Can't wait for morepopcorn::

PS. I don't mind the big type becasue I wear bifocals so it makes it easier for me to read:thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

Great update:thumbsup2 We did the campfire on our last trip and DS loved it, except for the fact that he only got to meet Chip - since depending on which side you were on, you only got to meet one. He was upset that Dale had to go in because he wasn't feeling well:sad2:

We didn't run into the problem you had with the kids but the parents:scared1: Right after they made the announcement that Chip & Dale would be coming out they asked that the middle aisle be cleared out because that is how they would get to the front - This woman drags her 2 kids to the front (We were in the 1st row of benches to the right if you were facing the stage) put her beach chair down, put towels down for the kids to kid on and then proceeded to give them hot dogs to cook over the fire. She then gave the CM a hard time for making them move becasue C & D wouldn't be able to get by. I felt bad for the kids (Probably 6 & 7), they were mortified and wouldn't look at anyone:sad2:

We would definitely do the campfire again, but I would plan it for a night that they were showing a movie that DS would actually watch.

Can't wait for morepopcorn::

PS. I don't mind the big type becasue I wear bifocals so it makes it easier for me to read:thumbsup2

Glad you're here! The campfire is a great program. I hope no one gets me wrong! Just wish the parents were a TAD more attentive. Although, I have to admit I'm sort of a worry wort when it comes to kids and dangerous stuff like slamming doors and fire....
Oh, and I'm glad to hear the large print is good for you too! Us vision-impaired peeps have to stick together. :3dglasses

I really liked your update. Even though you were freaking out over those kids, at least N had a good time! Those are the moments that we love. When all is said and done, if your kid remembers a good time, so will you! :thumbsup2

Thanks! I am glad you liked it. I've been enjoying yours too...though I'm pretty behind. :sad2: I couldn't have said it better!

Sorry you missed the torch lighting. The campfire sounds like fun just not with unruly children. I saw that when I was there, parents letting there kids do whatever. I do not understand it. :confused3
Hope your not sick for the rest of the trip.

OOhhh. I can't give away the dirty details.....My kids always leave WDW saying things like, "Wow, those kids were BAD." I always remind them that they were little once too and that it's really more the big people's fault. But, I have to say I'm usually thinking the same thing. And I am RELIEVED to be going away from them too. :rolleyes1
ANother great installment.

I can't believe those kids at the marshmallow roasting...what were there parents thinking?? Apparently nothing:sad2:

I am a little worried about what comes next.....:goodvibes

Yes. You should be worried. Things are about to go straight off the track!:sad1:

[Disneyolic]

Thanks! I am glad you liked it. I've been enjoying yours too...though I'm pretty behind. :sad2: I couldn't have said it better!Well, that's it then. I'm not reading anymore until you're all caught up....;)

[dismom9761]

Another great update!:thumbsup2 I would be freaking too about unsupervised children with sticks/fire.:scared1: My brother is blind in one eye because I child threw a stick and it went into his eye.:sad2:

Isn't the Poly gorgeous?That is my dream resort.:cloud9: I like the way even though you missed something you didn't miss abeat,just went to planB.:goodvibes

Oh I hope you aren't sick....:hug:

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Just discovered your report and it is great so far.

I love how you surprised you DS with the trip. You got all the way to the airport without giving away the secret, that is awesome! I commend you on your KOTS skills.:cutie:

That would have been annoying having to wait so long for your room but you got upgraded and had an awesome view. I just love the WL and never want to stay anywhere else.:love:

It is too bad that you missed the torch lighting at the Polynesian but at least the campfire was still going on even if there were a bunch of crazy kids running around with flaming sticks:scared1: Your son had fun though which is the most important thing.

I hope you are feeling better the next day.

[cmp1111]

Man, that is no good. The flaming sticks and such, I mean... I just yesterday heard a horrible story about a lady I know from a mutual friend. They were camping and her 3 year old DD tripped near the fire and fell in. She has 2nd degree burns on one hand and arm. :sad1: And, that wasn't because of lack of supervision, it's just one of those things. Kids and fire=scary. I'm like you - I get tense in those situations when I can only control 2 of the hundreds of kids... :sad2:

Glad N had a good time, though. :)

I fear that I have guessed why you don't eat another meal the whole time. :sick: :rotfl:

[Muffinygood]

No wake up call for us. I have my stomach for that. It’s 7 am according to the digital clock next to my head. N is sound asleep. I woke up because I feel AWFUL. Not just let’s-see-what-happens-maybe-I’m-hungry awful but OH MY I-think-I-better-run-to-the-potty awful. And I do. And yes, this run ends badly. So, now I’m sitting on cold tile in the bathroom praying. Why me? This is so unfair. I have this wonderful day planned with N. Today is his actual BIRTHDAY! No time for this! We have a great day planned. Eventually, I drag my very nauseous self off to the bed and force myself to lie there until N wakes up. I talk him into getting ready quickly and not ordering room service. (ohhhh, just the thought....) Luckily, he is in a cooperative mood. Believe it or not, I shower and dress and we make it downstairs to fill “THE CUP” by 9 am!

The walk to the boat launch has me convinced that this might be a bad idea. I comfort myself by thinking it’s better to be sick in WDW then anywhere else! N and I make it to the MK boat and sail off for our first day of official park fun! http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0284.jpg

This is where the photo from MK would be great but it hasn’t arrived from Photopass yet so we’ll have to imagine that we’re standing in front of MK....

I purchase two day, park hopper tickets at the entrance once we’ve been searched. It’s gonna be a hot one. I can feel it burning into my shoulders even though we applied the sunblock. Whew. Our plan is to visit MK today, go back to the hotel for a shower and rest, dinner at GF, then back to MK for the late closing (1am). Then tomorrow we are park hopping from Epcot to MGM. Ambitious plans on a weekend that I feel GOOD, now I’m worried. We decide to go straight up the platform to the train and go on over to Frontierland to ride the “mountains.” This is our usual strategy except we usually grab a FP for Space Mtn. first because we dislike waiting in their line. Well, the train ride over is great. The CM’s are all wishing N a happy birthday (he’s wearing his pin!) and he’s on cloud nine. We arrive at BTMRR and see that stand-by is only 10 minutes. I ask N if he wants to wait or come back after with a FP, he says, “Both!” Ok, so we do that and as we’re waiting on the line I start feeling sort of better. Thank goodness. I still don’t want to eat, but that’s ok. N is hungry! I made him skip breakfast and come to the park and he wants to eat as soon as possible. The ride is wonderful, and now it finally feels like we’re AT Disney!

As we’re leaving the ride and heading to Splash mtn. we are delighted to notice that the wait is only 10 minutes here too! Where is everyone??? It’s very quiet on this side of the park still. I think they only say 10 minutes because it takes nearly that long to walk from the start of the queue to the ride! We end up riding this with a Grandmother and her GD. They are absolutely ADORABLE! They’ve ridden three times in a row so far!!! So Funny! They are soaked! N and I love this ride and buy the photo!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0388.jpg

The walk over from Frontierland to Tomorrowland is practically empty. We encounter a few people once we get to Liberty Square but not many. Our tradition is to enter the park early, ride a couple of the “fun rides” and then stop at Sleepy Hollow for funnel cakes for breakfast. I know, that sounds rather unhealthy. Well, we ARE on vacation! And we do get strawberries and whipped cream! N devours his and I get a Sprite. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0288.jpg
It looks delicious but I feel a jolt of nausea every time I think of eating some. Oh well, I’ll feel better soon. We fill up N’s tummy and then walk the rest of the way over to Space Mtn.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0289.jpg
**side note** I realize we will miss a GREAT deal of attractions on this day. We DO go every year though so it’s not a big deal. I thought it was more important to let N do what HE wanted.

Space mountain had a very short wait in stand-by so we got FP’s for this (it was time on the other FP’s from BTMRR to be able to do this) and got in stand-by. The wait was maybe 20 minutes. Not bad since it was nearing noon, and plenty of people hit this first. This is a good place to say that I really dislike Space Mtn. Every year I ride it *under duress* but usually it’s only once and then DH takes up the slack for me. Well, no DH on this trip. It’s just me. Little old barfing me. Luckily, I survive this ride. We exit the ride and N is just chattering away about how much he loves that ride. I nod and say, “I don’t love this ride, but I love riding it with you!” We have about an hour till our FP’s are good at Space Mtn. again. Or it’s actually time to go all the way BACK to Frontierland to ride BTMRR again. N decides that he would like to ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. I have to tell you guys, this is one of my kid’s favorite rides! We’ve deemed it “most underrated ride at Disney” because it’s really fun and no one else seems to know! http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0301.jpg
We do the loop and when we exit we decide to see what the line is like for Indy Speedway. N just got to be able to drive a car by himself this past Xmas so he’s all excited to run up to their “measuring stick” and see how tall he is again. While we are there I notice............................................ .......................The Dream Team! YUP! There they are! They are just standing and talking amongst themselves with a CM from the ride. Well, I don’t think there’s much I can do about it. You can’t exactly run up to them and DEMAND a wish, right? So, we measure and assess the line and N says, “No. It’s way too hot in the sun and the line is really, really long.” Well, then stuff starts happening. They all look our way. The CM says something to them. She walks towards us and says, “Happy Birthday, N!! How old are you?” N answers and she says, “Did you want to ride this?” N answers, “Yes, but the line is so long.” She says, “How would you like to start the race?” Confusion. He isn’t sure what she wants him to do. She explains that he’ll go up onto the bridge over where you drive the cars out and wave the flag to start the race. He’s looking interested. He agrees, and says “Will I get to ride?” She says, “Yes, and you won’t have to wait in the line either!” Yay for the Dream Team!!!!!
This is one of the coolest things that’s ever happened to us at Disney so we’re pretty geeked. She brings to the bleachers on the side (didn’t know they were there) above the line. I stay there to photograph things. N goes to the bridge. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0293.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0295.jpg
It’s WAY cute! Then we go to the front of the line where they announce that’s it’s N’s 10th Birthday and everyone in line says “HAPPY BIRTHDAY N!!”. He gets into his race car and they snap a great photo and then I get in one behind and off we go.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0298.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0299.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0300.jpg

The rest of our time at MK is good too. We decide to skip the 2nd trip on BTMRR and go to Mickey’s Philharmagic. I am elated because I LOVE this movie and I need to sit down. Whew. I’m feeling pretty bad. Not hungry at all, keeping up the liquids but not hungry. We encounter a funny friend on the way and N has a great time taking photos!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0290.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0291.jpg

I can’t convince N to do anything else at MK except ride Space Mtn. again with our FP’s so off we go. Well, that doesn’t help my stomach. I ask him what else he wants to do. He says, nothing till tonight. He wants to go back and swim and then shower for our big dinner. So, we exit and I convince him to let me look in the shops for his DB. While we are shopping he says, “Isn’t the barber shop where I got my haircut around the corner?” Yes it is. “I want to visit that and see the barber again“ “You want a haircut??” “No. Just want to visit.” Oh, well that‘s ok. We end up visiting during the Harmony Barbershop‘s visit! They see N‘s birthday button and immediately call him up to them. They sing two versions of Happy Birthday to him and he‘s glowing!!! http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0308.jpg
They steal his water fan and start spraying each other and him! And then they pose for this CUTE photo!.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0308.jpg

We exit the park (for now) and go off to the hotel for some recuperation. This is just the beginning of the magic!
Check back with us for the conclusion to our day at MK, which includes some very big hearts!

[Muffinygood]

Sorry guys! That second picture was supposed to be this! A video. And I will get back to your comments too! I haven't forgotten.... :surfweb:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/th_Nickbdaysong.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/?action=view&current=Nickbdaysong.flv)

[OhMari]

I hope you felt better. Enjoying your report. What a nice Dream for your little guy.

[Muffinygood]

I hope you felt better. Enjoying your report. What a nice Dream for your little guy.

Ah, you'll have to tune in to the next couple of installments. Although, at the rate I'm going it's going to be time for my NEXT trip before I get done! Thanks for coming by. :love:

Just discovered your report and it is great so far.

I love how you surprised you DS with the trip. You got all the way to the airport without giving away the secret, that is awesome! I commend you on your KOTS skills.:cutie:

That would have been annoying having to wait so long for your room but you got upgraded and had an awesome view. I just love the WL and never want to stay anywhere else.:love:

It is too bad that you missed the torch lighting at the Polynesian but at least the campfire was still going on even if there were a bunch of crazy kids running around with flaming sticks:scared1: Your son had fun though which is the most important thing.

I hope you are feeling better the next day.


Welcome and thanks! The polynesian was beautiful despite missing the torches. Hope you stay tuned.... :banana:

Another great update!:thumbsup2 I would be freaking too about unsupervised children with sticks/fire.:scared1: My brother is blind in one eye because I child threw a stick and it went into his eye.:sad2:

Isn't the Poly gorgeous?That is my dream resort.:cloud9: I like the way even though you missed something you didn't miss abeat,just went to planB.:goodvibes

Oh I hope you aren't sick....:hug:

That is so terrible. I'm very sorry to hear about your brother. I have impaired vision in one eye from Glaucoma. So, any sort of trauma involving eyes is a sensitive issue with me! :sad1:
I LOVED the Poly. We haven't stayed there yet but I think it will be our next "home". And thanks for the compliment. That was what I tried to do!
Glad you're here and I hope you stay tuned...:love:

Well, that's it then. I'm not reading anymore until you're all caught up....;)

Fine! :scared: No pressure!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
I'm going back to read more right NOW! Thanks for reading my TR. Hope you'll stick with me....

Man, that is no good. The flaming sticks and such, I mean... I just yesterday heard a horrible story about a lady I know from a mutual friend. They were camping and her 3 year old DD tripped near the fire and fell in. She has 2nd degree burns on one hand and arm. :sad1: And, that wasn't because of lack of supervision, it's just one of those things. Kids and fire=scary. I'm like you - I get tense in those situations when I can only control 2 of the hundreds of kids... :sad2:

Glad N had a good time, though. :)

I fear that I have guessed why you don't eat another meal the whole time. :sick: :rotfl:


That is just so sad about your friends daughter. Scary story. You know, I wonder if the parents just figure after being in the VERY safe environment of the parks if they don't let their guard down? Terrible things happen when you let kids that little run around with fire! I'd be worried that someone would take my child, so that fear alone would keep him in my sight.

N had a great time! And thank you for tuning in. :love: I hope you continue to read. There's more to come. And don't tell anyone that you figured it out! :scared1:

[DisneyJenn18]

okay first off your an awesome mom for giving DS a suprise trip!!!! :cool1:

second, how cute was the birthday barbershop song??!?? I LOVED IT!!! Do you think they allow grownup men and women to go in and get fun haircuts too?

Can't wait to hear more!

[Muffinygood]

okay first off your an awesome mom for giving DS a suprise trip!!!! :cool1:

second, how cute was the birthday barbershop song??!?? I LOVED IT!!! Do you think they allow grownup men and women to go in and get fun haircuts too?

Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks! I like to think I'm an awesome mom! :cheer2: :cheer2: Glad you liked the song. They sang two songs, but the first was funny and really short. "This is YOUR Birthday song...it isn't very LONG..." They were really funny and good! N loved them!

Glad you're here reading. Hope you stick with us! :love:

[jcc0621]

We moms do anything for our kids don't we. Even taking on MK when we are sick as dogs! Glad N enjoyed his day. Can't wait to hear more. Hope you are feeling better by EMH time

[Trentmom]

I am glad you aree able to make it thru the morning and part of the afternoon.

I am hoping you make it to dinner and have a nice evening:goodvibes

Loved the video..too cute:thumbsup2

[luvmy2sams]

Staying at my favorite resort on a surprise birthday trip with your son. Oh, I hope to be able to do this one day with DS4. What a great mom you are....and quite a trooper, too! :cheer1:

Thanks for sharing your report! Can't wait to read more...

[scottny]

Ok all caught up. Sorry you had a rough day with your stomach. The starting of the race was cool. Loved the video of them all singing to him. Great update.

[dismom9761]

It looks like N is having a magical bday and its awful that you were so sick.I hope the rest at the resort makes you feel better.:hug:

Loved the video!:goodvibes

[Disneyolic]

Great update. I love how they put the "Happy Birthday" poster on the car at the Indy Speedway and your video of the quartet singing to him was precious!

[Muffinygood]

Great update. I love how they put the "Happy Birthday" poster on the car at the Indy Speedway and your video of the quartet singing to him was precious!

Thanks! The sheer surprise of the whole thing was quintessentially Disney! I just couldn't believe it when she said, "Would you like to start the race?" I wanted to jump up and down and she wasn't even asking me!!! I spent all day figuring out how to edit that clip and post it. I am so NOT techinically apt. Glad you enjoyed it and that you're still here! :banana:

It looks like N is having a magical bday and its awful that you were so sick.I hope the rest at the resort makes you feel better.:hug:

Loved the video!:goodvibes

Thanks for the well wishes. Tune in next for the birthday dinner! Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for reading! :love:

Ok all caught up. Sorry you had a rough day with your stomach. The starting of the race was cool. Loved the video of them all singing to him. Great update.

Thanks Scottny!!! No one does it like Disney! Thank you for catching up with us! :banana:

Staying at my favorite resort on a surprise birthday trip with your son. Oh, I hope to be able to do this one day with DS4. What a great mom you are....and quite a trooper, too! :cheer1:

Thanks for sharing your report! Can't wait to read more...

Wow! Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comments! :love: I think if I could do this over again I definitely would despite the rocky parts. And I think WL is MY favorite resort now too! It's SOOO beautiful! ;)

I am glad you aree able to make it thru the morning and part of the afternoon.

I am hoping you make it to dinner and have a nice evening:goodvibes

Loved the video..too cute:thumbsup2

Thanks Trentmom! Next update in 5 mins! You will get to know if I enjoy the evening! :confused3 Sorry about the lack of photos. It just became cumbersome to haul all the stuff and myself and ride the rides and take photos by myself. Whew! :yay:

okay first off your an awesome mom for giving DS a suprise trip!!!! :cool1:

second, how cute was the birthday barbershop song??!?? I LOVED IT!!! Do you think they allow grownup men and women to go in and get fun haircuts too?

Can't wait to hear more!

DisneyJenn18: I am replying again because I realized that I didn't reply to your WHOLE question last time! Shame on me!:sad2:
Thank you for saying I'm an awesome mom! And I know for a FACT that they let "big peoples" get their hair cut at the Harmony Barbershop!!! You can't get anything time-consuming like a perm or color but they will definitely cut and/or do something cute to your hair! Just be warned that it's busiest when the park first opens and you just wait in a line till it's your turn like a real barbershop! The barber, Michal, is SOOO nice. He makes the whole trip worth it! :dance3:

[Muffinygood]

Welcome back everyone! :wave2: The last update had us leaving the park after N had a lovely birthday song! It’s very warm this day and the whole boat ride back to WL I am thinking how wonderful the pool is going to feel. :beach: We make it back to the hotel and run upstairs to get swimsuits on. The room is still un-made. It’s 3 pm at this point so this surprises me but it turns out we are on the end of the schedule for cleaning our whole visit. I don’t particularly mind, it’s better than the “tap tap tap-Lodgekeeping” wake up at 8 am!

The pool is SO refreshing and wonderful I decide I may never leave. I didn’t bring the camera down for this trip to the pool. Things are just so different logistically when you are alone. We swim and then soak in the hot tub. My stomach is feeling sort of wobbly still but I float around with N and we play in the water so I am distracted over it. I know we have a 8:30 pm ADR at Narcoosee’s at the GF so I am trying to think “happy thoughts.” After our soak, we go back inside and fill “the cup” again. We each have a cup of tea and then go up to shower, rest and change.

The room is done now and we can flop down and watch cartoons while the sun blazes away outside. The shower and rest do wonders for me and I feel ok. Not great but ok. I take the time while N is watching tv to upload my photos and check my email. :surfweb: I brought my laptop with me thinking I’d make notes for the TR but I didn’t do that! Soon it is time to go to the GF. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0310.jpg
I know now (wiser, I am!) that you have to get ON THE BOAT at least 1 hour before the time you want to arrive anywhere. :boat: And as we have to transfer again, I know I will probably need 90 mins. We leave the hotel at 7 pm. We travel by boat to MK. Then by monorail to GF. The CM sees N’s birthday button and lets us “drive” the monorail. N is so excited! He’s done this before but this is on HIS BIRTHDAY! We do the whole loop (MK,CR,TTC,POLY and then GF) :car: We arrive in plenty of time ***side note: You must allow extra time to make it from the monorail to the restaurant because it’s a LONG walk from there! end side note***
We make our way out to Narcoosee’s and as we’re entering a wave of nausea hits me with both fists. I stop. Take a cleansing breath and say, “Uh oh. I don’t feel so good.” Poor N. He’s worried but he says, “Are you going to be ok?” I swallow my courage and put on my best face and say, “Yup. Come on Birthday Boy.” We go inside and give them our names. They have a note on the ressie that it’s N’s birthday. The hostesses are SO great. They see that I’m unwell and ask N a ton of questions. They chat with him for a great deal of time while I attempt to compose myself. :sick: A young girl comes in with her parents. She’s in a wheelchair. The cooks (who are in an open kitchen just to the left of the hostess stand) call to her and strike up a conversation. They ask her if she’d like to see a live lobster? She says yes and they put one up on the counter for her to look at. She makes them promise not to cook him! They call our name to seat us and we follow the nice lady to our table. On the exact OPPOSITE side of the restaurant from the ladies room.! Yikes! Pretty quickly after we are seated the waitress comes by and tells N happy birthday and asks him what he’d like to drink. I say only ginger ale as I’m not feeling too well. She gives us menus and tells N that he can have a kids menu if he wants but N is having none of that! That’s my boy! He reads the menu and asks some questions (it’s pretty much exclusively seafood, which we both love!) then decides on scallops. The waitress is so sweet. She stops by and asks, “Sir, more sprite? Would you care for some more bread and butter, Sir?” N is just thrilled! The server brings bread (smells heavenly!) and N is a bread fanatic! He declares it the best bread ever. :love: She promptly returns and takes our order. At this point I will interject and say that my feeling bad has gone over to WAY WAY bad. I am basically spending the whole time coaching myself not to think about the fishy smells, the food going by, etc. But, still conversing with N and keeping the tone LIGHT. The server feels so bad. She keeps asking if I’d like more ginger ale. And then the chef comes out to our table. He heard (from our server) that I wasn’t eating anything and he is sad about that. We have a nice long chat about seafood and where we’ve grown up (Me in Boston, him in Rhode Island), where the scallops are from (Connecticut) and how he likes Florida. He says he is sooo sorry I don’t feel well. He says he will be right back with something to cheer me up. He returns with a large dish of his homemade sorbet (raspberry, pear and peach) and it is SO good! He says, “it has no dairy which might upset your stomach. I promise it will fix you up.” He spends sometime asking N how his dinner is. He explains to N how he prepared them and that you don’t want to cook them too much! The chef leaves our table briefly and comes back with his card. He insists that we come back next time we are in FL and that he wants me to come to the kitchen and say hi. This is the most amazing dinner that I didn’t eat! The sorbet was wonderful and I actually DID feel slightly better afterward. The waitress was such a doll. She insisted that I take a WHOLE loaf of their fresh baked bread (she wrapped it up for me when she heard that we were going to the MK again, and then she said “Oh, you poor thing!”)and a ginger ale to go! N finished the sorbet I didn’t eat and could NOT stop talking about his AWESOME scallops. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0309.jpg
I managed a bite of them and the citrus risotto that it was served with and it made me WISH WISH WISH that I wasn’t sick. I can tell you that I’ve eaten seafood just about everywhere. :fish: Other countries, lots of places (right off the boats) and this was perfect! And N was delighted. And even if it had only been sort of good, the service and everyone’s big hearts made it VERY SPECIAL.
They did NOT charge me for the ginger ale or the sorbet. I insisted on paying and the waitress said NO WAY! I soothed my guilty concience by tipping her double the usual.

This was just one of MANY places where the over-whelming love and kindness I experienced just blew me away. It is nearly impossible to pretend you don’t feel sick when you are. I did not want it to be about me! But, it’s also impossible to pretend you’re fine and decline dinner while you DS is having his birthday meal right in front of you. People notice. And it really hit home for me, how much I rely on my DH! You don’t realize how you lean on the other one when you aren’t up to snuff. I did it all alone though and that made me think I’m sort of a tough person!
How strong am I ? Well, I’m pretty much a supermom. :banana:

Next up: We visit the MK-again! And someone decides we should spin and spin and spin. :dance3: :dance3: :dance3:

Ooohhhhh. :sick:

And since the photos arrived from Photopass (but I only had 4 and didn’t want to spend the $ on the CD) I will redneck some photos for you dear folks from earlier in the trip because the photos in this one were pretty skimpy.......

They are really blurry but you get the idea! They didn’t come out that blurry for real!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0392.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0391.jpg

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

No wake up call for us. I have my stomach for that. It’s 7 am according to the digital clock next to my head. N is sound asleep. I woke up because I feel AWFUL. Not just let’s-see-what-happens-maybe-I’m-hungry awful but OH MY I-think-I-better-run-to-the-potty awful. And I do. And yes, this run ends badly. So, now I’m sitting on cold tile in the bathroom praying. Why me?

That's awful!:sad2: Worst way to wake up, especially when at Disney.
We arrive at BTMRR and see that stand-by is only 10 minutes. I ask N if he wants to wait or come back after with a FP, he says, “Both!” Ok, so we do that and as we’re waiting on the line I start feeling sort of better. Thank goodness. I still don’t want to eat, but that’s ok. The ride is wonderful, and now it finally feels like we’re AT Disney!

How lucky to get such a short wait and at least you were feeling sorta better. BTMRR is such a fun ride.

As we’re leaving the ride and heading to Splash mtn. we are delighted to notice that the wait is only 10 minutes here too! Where is everyone??? It’s very quiet on this side of the park still. I think they only say 10 minutes because it takes nearly that long to walk from the start of the queue to the ride!

Lucky again!

Our tradition is to enter the park early, ride a couple of the “fun rides” and then stop at Sleepy Hollow for funnel cakes for breakfast. I know, that sounds rather unhealthy. Well, we ARE on vacation! And we do get strawberries and whipped cream!

Funnel Cakes are very yummy, and you are on vacation!

This is a good place to say that I really dislike Space Mtn. Every year I ride it *under duress* but usually it’s only once and then DH takes up the slack for me. Well, no DH on this trip. It’s just me. Little old barfing me. Luckily, I survive this ride. We exit the ride and N is just chattering away about how much he loves that ride. I nod and say, “I don’t love this ride, but I love riding it with you!”

What a great mom you are!:hug:

She walks towards us and says, “Happy Birthday, N!! How old are you?” N answers and she says, “Did you want to ride this?” N answers, “Yes, but the line is so long.” She says, “How would you like to start the race?” Confusion. He isn’t sure what she wants him to do. She explains that he’ll go up onto the bridge over where you drive the cars out and wave the flag to start the race. He’s looking interested. He agrees, and says “Will I get to ride?” She says, “Yes, and you won’t have to wait in the line either!” Yay for the Dream Team!!!!!
This is one of the coolest things that’s ever happened to us at Disney so we’re pretty geeked. She brings to the bleachers on the side (didn’t know they were there) above the line. I stay there to photograph things. N goes to the bridge. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0293.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0295.jpg
It’s WAY cute! Then we go to the front of the line where they announce that’s it’s N’s 10th Birthday and everyone in line says “HAPPY BIRTHDAY N!!”. He gets into his race car and they snap a great photo and then I get in one behind and off we go.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0298.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0299.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0300.jpg What a wonderful Magical Moment N got for his birthday! I love how they put the birthday sign on his car.




We end up visiting during the Harmony Barbershop‘s visit! They see N‘s birthday button and immediately call him up to them. They sing two versions of Happy Birthday to him and he‘s glowing!!! http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0308.jpg
They steal his water fan and start spraying each other and him! And then they pose for this CUTE photo!.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0308.jpg Another wonderful birthday surprise! Sounds like a great day aside from the illness.

[scottny]

Great update. Sorry to see you were still not feeling well and could not enjoy the restaurant. Seems like he had a nice birthday dinner. Now you have me thinking about having my cousins birthday there in April. HMMM.

Look forward to more...

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That is terrible that yo felt so ill during dinner. The staff at the restaurant sure did go above and beyond to help make you more comfortable and make the night special. What great service!

[Trentmom]

I am so sorry you felt so lousy, but what a great mom you were for sticking it out and letting your DS enjoy a great bday meal:hug:

What a great server and awesome chef you met. They sounded so nice a nd went above and beyond for sure...Kudos to them:thumbsup2


I hope you feel better in the morning

[DisneyJenn18]

I am soooo thrilled to hear that the restaurant staff and chef took care of you! I work in the restaurant biz, and I know in my restaurant we always try to give that extra "magic" when it calls for it.
Thats great that you acknowledged it! What a Great dinner you didn't eat..lol:lmao:

I think I may to consider changing my reservations ....hmmm

[Muffinygood]

That's awful!:sad2: Worst way to wake up, especially when at Disney.

Agreed! :sad2:


How lucky to get such a short wait and at least you were feeling sorta better. BTMRR is such a fun ride.

I love this ride too! It's weird that when I was actually ON rides I felt fine.



Lucky again!



Funnel Cakes are very yummy, and you are on vacation!



What a great mom you are!:hug:

THANKS!!! :love:

What a wonderful Magical Moment N got for his birthday! I love how they put the birthday sign on his car.




Another wonderful birthday surprise! Sounds like a great day aside from the illness.

Aside from that it was WONDERFUL! We had the best time! Thanks for reading along! :love:

Great update. Sorry to see you were still not feeling well and could not enjoy the restaurant. Seems like he had a nice birthday dinner. Now you have me thinking about having my cousins birthday there in April. HMMM.

Look forward to more...

Do go! It's so wonderful I can't do anything but praise it! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 Two thumbs WAY up!

That is terrible that yo felt so ill during dinner. The staff at the restaurant sure did go above and beyond to help make you more comfortable and make the night special. What great service!

As I said to Scottny: Two thumbs way way up! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

I am so sorry you felt so lousy, but what a great mom you were for sticking it out and letting your DS enjoy a great bday meal:hug:

What a great server and awesome chef you met. They sounded so nice a nd went above and beyond for sure...Kudos to them:thumbsup2


I hope you feel better in the morning

I wrote to Disney the day I came home and praised EVERY single CM i came into contact with during our trip. They were ALL wonderful! :love: Thanks for reading along.

I am soooo thrilled to hear that the restaurant staff and chef took care of you! I work in the restaurant biz, and I know in my restaurant we always try to give that extra "magic" when it calls for it.
Thats great that you acknowledged it! What a Great dinner you didn't eat..lol:lmao:

I think I may to consider changing my reservations ....hmmm

You should! They are so good! I was telling the story to someone at home and they said, "you didn't even eat there." I said, "yeah, but it was the best meal I didn't eat!" She said that's a weird way to put it. But I knew you guys would get it! Thanks for reading! :love:

[Trentmom]

Aside from that it was WONDERFUL! We had the best time! Thanks for reading along! :love:



Do go! It's so wonderful I can't do anything but praise it! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 Two thumbs WAY up!



As I said to Scottny: Two thumbs way way up! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2



I wrote to Disney the day I came home and praised EVERY single CM i came into contact with during our trip. They were ALL wonderful! :love: Thanks for reading along.



You should! They are so good! I was telling the story to someone at home and they said, "you didn't even eat there." I said, "yeah, but it was the best meal I didn't eat!" She said that's a weird way to put it. But I knew you guys would get it! Thanks for reading! :love:

That is so nice that you wrote to Disney.

As a former CM, I remember people I working with who got letters. They will get forwarded to the managers of where that CM works and then they let everyone know what was said. It made us so happy:goodvibes

Our letters were even hung on corkboards in the back.......:thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

That is so nice that you wrote to Disney.

As a former CM, I remember people I working with who got letters. They will get forwarded to the managers of where that CM works and then they let everyone know what was said. It made us so happy:goodvibes

Our letters were even hung on corkboards in the back.......:thumbsup2

That is so great to hear! I did recieve a telephone call from someone in their offices (she said her title but I forget now) and she assured me that she had shared it with their leaders. She also thanked me for writing the letter and said that most people only write when they have a complaint. I wrote one of "those" letters once too. It hurt me to do it, as I love Disney, but I couldn't believe that they wouldn't want to know! They called me then too and apologized and said that they would pass along my comments to the right people and make sure that my issues were addressed.

No one does it like Disney! :wizard: They are the best! :love:

[jcc0621]

You poor thing:sick: :cool1: WTG to the staff at Narcoosee's. I have been there only once and it was phenomenal. I am glad to see that it hasn't changed:thumbsup2

[dismom9761]

I have no idea how I missed your update yesterday.:confused3

The dinner sounds fabulous even though you couldn't enjoy it.:hug: I hope you get to feling better and are able to enjoy the trip more.

Spinning at MK?:scared1:

[Muffinygood]

You poor thing:sick: :cool1: WTG to the staff at Narcoosee's. I have been there only once and it was phenomenal. I am glad to see that it hasn't changed:thumbsup2

They were so great! thanks for reading! I think my readership has dropped off....better get an update up! :rolleyes1

I have no idea how I missed your update yesterday.:confused3

The dinner sounds fabulous even though you couldn't enjoy it.:hug: I hope you get to feling better and are able to enjoy the trip more.

Spinning at MK?:scared1:

I will try to post an update tonight. Then you'll know for sure how it ends up! School days are ROUGH around here. Between high school and elementary I feel like I've run a marathon when the day ends! And I'm off to drum lessons in a few minutes. Whew. Being a mom is NOT for wimps. :laundy:

Thanks for reading!

[dismom9761]

They were so great! thanks for reading! I think my readership has dropped off....better get an update up! :rolleyes1



I will try to post an update tonight. Then you'll know for sure how it ends up! School days are ROUGH around here. Between high school and elementary I feel like I've run a marathon when the day ends! And I'm off to drum lessons in a few minutes. Whew. Being a mom is NOT for wimps. :laundy:

Thanks for reading!
I undestand completely.Three of my kids are doing sports in three different directions.:scared1: Add in homework,projects,church...

Lovin the report and looking forward to the update...whenever it may be.:hug:

[Muffinygood]

I promise to have an update done for tomorrow early! Things are SO crazy here with the kiddos. :woohoo: :scared1:

This update will NOT feature photos, unfortunately, but it will detail our EMH at MK and the end of a fabulous birthDAY for N! :love:
I am also going to include a video of the ride we took in the front of the monorail!!!

Tune in tomorrow.....

[Trentmom]

I promise to have an update done for tomorrow early! Things are SO crazy here with the kiddos. :woohoo: :scared1:

This update will NOT feature photos, unfortunately, but it will detail our EMH at MK and the end of a fabulous birthDAY for N! :love:
I am also going to include a video of the ride we took in the front of the monorail!!!

Tune in tomorrow.....

Its Okay:goodvibes

We will be waiting:3dglasses

[disneydance]

ok i am in on this one this sounds good!!!!!!!!!!!

[Muffinygood]

ok i am in on this one this sounds good!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey WELCOME! :woohoo: No pressure! :dance3:

Its Okay:goodvibes

We will be waiting:3dglasses

Thanks Trentmom! :love: Glad you're still here. Gotta get the kidlets off to school then I can sit down and type! :surfweb:

[Muffinygood]

HEY YOU LURKERS......


COME OUT AND PLAY!!!!! :banana:

[Muffinygood]

The dinner at Narcoossee’s was a wonderful way to celebrate N’s big day! He loved the meal and all the special attention that we got. We made our way out of there loaded down with a loaf of warm sourdough bread, a ginger ale, and our backpack for our trip back to the MK. We shopped a little bit after we got back into the main building of the GF resort and hit the potty before boarding the monorail.

The monorail was packed! :crowded: Apparently alot of people return to the parks later in the evening. The ride was quick though and before we knew it we were getting our wristbands for EMH. That was pretty pain-free too. Disney has definitely got a plan when they know they are going to be swamped with people. They had 4 people in each line handing out wristbands, and approximately 6 lines. That finished we entered the park around 9:45 pm.

The Wishes fireworks were set to start at 10pm. Consulting with N, we check the map and decide where to go first. We decide on Astro Orbitor because we are hoping to see the fireworks from up there! pixiedust: N loves to ride this in the dark. In fact, he prefers it so much in the dark that we usually skip it if the sun is shining. We got into the line (which you veterans know, is usually LONG LONG LONG) and waited our turn. It said 30 mins but was moving pretty rapidly. Unfortunately, not rapidly enough to see the fireworks. We were the next elevator group to go up at the conclusion of the Wishes show. Oh well, its not like we haven’t seen it a bunch! N didn’t mind at all. We rode together and N had that rocket Soaring! Going around and around and around was pretty challenging with my stomach but somehow I survive. Our next stop was, of course, Space Mountain. N loves this ride so much! This is our 3rd ride today! N is convinced that the back is the worst. I say, “No way! :sad2: The front is terrifying!” I ended up in the front on one of our family vacations (and I’ve mentioned I DON’T like this ride anyway) and since then I have made it a point to avoid the front at all costs! :scared1: Well, we end up with 1 and 2. Uh-oh. I am NOT taking the front! N is a gentleman (oh and I threatened not to ride...) and he takes the front. He proclaims it the best ride of the day! We exit this and go on over to Indy Speedway because N wants to ride this in the dark. We’ve never done this before. So, we enter the line (which is pretty long and no benefit of the Dream Team this time) and wait our turn. It ends up going by pretty quick. Driving in the dark is fun but I’m anxious to see other stuff. I have a terrible time convincing N to do anything else. Toontown is closed so we can’t do Barnstormer, which was skipped earlier in the day. I’ll regret this but I ask N what else he wants to do. He says, Space Mountain again! ohhhhh!

I try to convince him to do something else, but he’s not having it. I literally CAN NOT talk him into anything else. Nothing! Not even BTMRR or Splash Mtn. So, we go on again. This time it’s a bit of a wait and we end up talking with a family from Tennessee who are very nice. The mom and I talk about restaurants that we’ve visited and she raves about LeCellier. I tell her I’ve heard tons of good things about this place. Her boys are about the same age as mine so we swap stories about how the age difference is definitely an issue at Disney sometimes. Finally, it’s our turn to ride again. I don’t care where I sit at this point because my stomachache is back. We ride and N says he’s sad that that was the last ride till we come back. Sad? No, I’m not sad. :confused3

By this time it is closing in on 12:30 am. I can tell he’s pooping out. He seems to be tired anyway. I ask, are you ready to go back to the hotel and watch some cartoons? He is! He is talking about refilling “the cup” on the trip into the hotel. We agree to walk to the boat launch and sail home. It’s a quiet, lovely and cool ride across Bay Lake to our hotel. The resort looks beautiful all lit up at night. The lights reflect onto the water in a twinkly sort of way. We get off the boat and practically sleepwalk to the doors. The Roaring Forks is closed at midnight so “the cup” goes un-filled. He is ok with that though. We go upstairs and put on pjs and climb into bed to watch cartoons. I munch on my bread and share with N. He is munching on left-over marshmallow from the campfire. At 1:30 am, I ask if it’s ok to turn off Kim Possible because I am WAY sleepy. N says, “Me too!” So we talk about what time to get up for Epcot (we decide on NO alarm, to just wake up when we do) and what we’ll do about MGM (we decide to go there after we ride the rides we like at Epcot) and what about breakfast (room service before we go). All that settled, we fall into a sleep like being hit over the head with a hard object!

Our next installment is chock full of drama....tune in.

I know that this episode has NO pictures! I'm sorry, but I just didn't take out the camera even ONCE while we were there that night. I feel like I rode Space Mtn. non-stop... SO, to make you all happy I am posting a video. See next post. :thumbsup2

[scottny]

sounds like a nice evening even with an upset stomach. Hope you feel all better when you wake up.

[Disneyolic]

I'm so sorry that you felt so terrible. But I am so proud of you for "sucking it up" and trying your best for your son and his birthday. I don't even know if I could have done it. You are a good mom. And how wonderful those CMs were at Narcoosee's to help you out. We may need to go there next time. It sounds like your son had a good birthday and I look forward to your drama-filled next update!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

You are such a strong woman pushing on and spending the night at the MK. I would not have been able to do it so kuddos to you!

Can't wait to see your video and hear all about your drama filled day.

[Muffinygood]

:confused3 Ok, Photobucket will NOT let me upload the video I want to use. It is neither MORE than 100MB or longer than 5 mins. Can't figure out what I'm doing wrong but I want to give you guys something so I'll try another....Bear with me....I'm experiencing technical difficulties! :confused3

[Disneyolic]

:confused3 Ok, Photobucket will NOT let me upload the video I want to use. It is neither MORE than 100MB or longer than 5 mins. Can't figure out what I'm doing wrong but I want to give you guys something so I'll try another....Bear with me....I'm experiencing technical difficulties! :confused3
Try YouTube....:confused3

[Muffinygood]

Try YouTube....:confused3
Ah, DM, that's very smart! I didn't think of that! ARGH. I've tried to upload this video for 2 hours now! I had time while it was "NOT" uploading to clean out the pantry, load the dishwasher, shower and make a pumpkin pie.

I'm gonna try Youtube. thanks! :love:

[Disneyolic]

Ah, DM, that's very smart! I didn't think of that! ARGH. I've tried to upload this video for 2 hours now! I had time while it was "NOT" uploading to clean out the pantry, load the dishwasher, shower and make a pumpkin pie.

I'm gonna try Youtube. thanks! :love:
Your family will thank Photobucket for it's "not" uploading tho! ;)

[Muffinygood]

Ok, after an entire day of attempting to upload and photobucket rejecting it, the ding dang program is now saying that I HAVE uploaded a video! ARGH. It's not the one I wanted to share, but that's ok for now. I will keep trying to get the other one up (and I'm trying Youtube too!) For now you can enjoy the soothing sounds of children playing at the pool and the geyser erupting from my balcony in room #5064.

ENJOY! popcorn::

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/th_geysertest.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/?action=view&current=geysertest.flv)

[scottny]

oh my heart sank cause i wished i was there. I miss DISNEY!!!!!!
:sad:

it was very nice. I have never been there so I have never seen it before.

thanks for sharing.

[Trentmom]

Hey WELCOME! :woohoo: No pressure! :dance3:



Thanks Trentmom! :love: Glad you're still here. Gotta get the kidlets off to school then I can sit down and type! :surfweb:


WOOHOOTY!!

Just saw you posted another update....on my way to read:thumbsup2

[Trentmom]

Another Great Update:thumbsup2

Yuo are such an awesome mom...being that sick and stilll ridng ds's fav rides over and over again:goodvibes

Great video:thumbsup2

[swankybeth]

Great report! I started reading it this morning before I went to work and I was so into it, I was almost late for work! :scared1:
Sorry to hear you were sick, but it was nice to read about how they took care of you at Narcoosee's. :)
Looking forward to the next update.

[Muffinygood]

sounds like a nice evening even with an upset stomach. Hope you feel all better when you wake up.

Feel better. Hmmm.... :confused3

I'm so sorry that you felt so terrible. But I am so proud of you for "sucking it up" and trying your best for your son and his birthday. I don't even know if I could have done it. You are a good mom. And how wonderful those CMs were at Narcoosee's to help you out. We may need to go there next time. It sounds like your son had a good birthday and I look forward to your drama-filled next update!

Thanks for the compliments. You guys are all so sweet. I hope you don't think I'm going for the attention (though it's nice, we moms are SO underappreciated) with this pitiful TR. It just really went that way! :sad2:
And thank you for helping me with the videos. Youtube did the same thing but that led me to the real problem! :surfweb:

You are such a strong woman pushing on and spending the night at the MK. I would not have been able to do it so kuddos to you!

Can't wait to see your video and hear all about your drama filled day.

Well, I didn't think I could do it either but knowing there was no one to bail my sorry butt out helped! :eek: Thanks for reading! :love:

oh my heart sank cause i wished i was there. I miss DISNEY!!!!!!
:sad:

it was very nice. I have never been there so I have never seen it before.

thanks for sharing.

Scottny, thanks for reading. I hope you are enjoying so far. I know what you mean about missing Disney. N and I were in the car today and he said, "I want to go to Disney right now." I said, "Me too." And then all the way back from dropping him at school I was chuckling to myself because that is just crazy. :rotfl2: I'm a sick woman. We all are! I mean sick, not women..obviously :confused:
WOOHOOTY!!

Just saw you posted another update....on my way to read:thumbsup2

Another Great Update:thumbsup2

Yuo are such an awesome mom...being that sick and stilll ridng ds's fav rides over and over again:goodvibes

Great video:thumbsup2

Thanks, Trentmom! You say the sweetest things...:flower3: I'm not going for mother of the year, just want to survive the happiness. :rotfl: I am still working on the other video, as soon as it's done I'll post it. And I have the next update all typed!

Great report! I started reading it this morning before I went to work and I was so into it, I was almost late for work! :scared1:
Sorry to hear you were sick, but it was nice to read about how they took care of you at Narcoosee's. :)
Looking forward to the next update.

Thank you for reading! :love: Don't be late for work! The DIS has a way of doing that to ya! :rolleyes1 You leave in 28 days!!! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: Lucky Duck! Are you just dying of excitement??? :banana:

[Trentmom]

Wow..another update typed....

You are great:thumbsup2

Can't wait to read and see the next video:cool1:

[dismom9761]

Great update!:thumbsup2 You are a wonderful mom to keep going for him.:hug: I hope you feel better in the morning too...

[Muffinygood]

OK guys. Here is the video that I wanted to post. Although it was originally longer (from station to station) and I set it to a nice song. Clearly Photobucket and Youtube did not appreciate my artisitic stylings. Hope you like the edited, un-musicy version.

N video-taped this so it's a bit bouncy! And he does some narrating. Enjoy.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/th_monorailtest.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/?action=view&current=monorailtest.flv)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

:lmao: Love the narration!;) :upsidedow

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I had stitched together my video of the Fourth of July fireworks but it too was too big/long to be posted on photobucket and youtube so I was forced to just post each individual section.:sad2:

[Muffinygood]

:lmao: Love the narration!;) :upsidedow

He's a funny little dude. :goodvibes

I had stitched together my video of the Fourth of July fireworks but it too was too big/long to be posted on photobucket and youtube so I was forced to just post each individual section.:sad2:

Same here! The video was so much better all together and with the music. I'd say it was dang cute! Frustrating technology....:scared: :badpc:

[scottny]

that was a great video and narration. It was nice to see after a bad day. i am so ready now for vaction.

[scottny]

I had stitched together my video of the Fourth of July fireworks but it too was too big/long to be posted on photobucket and youtube so I was forced to just post each individual section.:sad2:

that is why i post vidoes on Google video. My 90 minute movie went on with no problem. Just takes awhile to upload.

[CruisinEars]

Still reading and following along. I am so amazed you were able to do Disney while feeling awful. Looking forward to the next update. :goodvibes

[Trentmom]

Great Video!!!

I loving riding in the front...

DH drove the monorail from 99-2000 and he loved it:thumbsup2

[swankybeth]

Thank you for reading! :love: Don't be late for work! The DIS has a way of doing that to ya! :rolleyes1 You leave in 28 days!!! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: Lucky Duck! Are you just dying of excitement??? :banana:

I'm going crazy! :dance3: My trip is a reunion trip to meet up with my friends that I worked with on the WDWCP. I haven't seen them for 5 years and I can't wait! :woohoo:

[Muffinygood]

that was a great video and narration. It was nice to see after a bad day. i am so ready now for vaction.

Well then, here's hoping the next 6 months fly by!! :sad1: You'll just have to live vicariously through us for a bit. :love: The next update has pictures, so that should help. :hug:

that is why i post vidoes on Google video. My 90 minute movie went on with no problem. Just takes awhile to upload.

I am going to look into that this morning. Thanks!

Still reading and following along. I am so amazed you were able to do Disney while feeling awful. Looking forward to the next update. :goodvibes

Thanks for reading! The next update is coming in just a couple minutes! Enjoy! :love:

Great Video!!!

I loving riding in the front...

DH drove the monorail from 99-2000 and he loved it:thumbsup2

Really!? Ooh, how cool! :thumbsup2 N loves riding in the front. He said he thinks it's the coolest job at Disney.

I'm going crazy! :dance3: My trip is a reunion trip to meet up with my friends that I worked with on the WDWCP. I haven't seen them for 5 years and I can't wait! :woohoo:

That sounds so great. It's awesome that you guys kept in touch enough to do a reunion. :hug: Thanks for reading along.

[Muffinygood]

I wake up today the same way I woke up yesterday. I don’t tell N. Since I haven’t really had a meal since that chicken salad and some marshmallows on Saturday night it’s not too bad. Just the pervasive nausea. My mind is going over the last few days and I’ve decided that it must be a virus. This is my conclusion because in between the nausea (which is here and there) I also feel feverish.:sick:

I order room service once N wakes up (at 9:35 am!!) and tells me what he’d like. We order 2 ginger ales, dry toast, a bagel toasted with cream cheese, 2 eggs scrambled and an orange juice. The room service folks at the WL are amazing! They are quick too! :thumbsup2 The guy arrives just as I’m stepping out of the shower and I force him to wait in the hall holding our breakfast while I find clothes to wear! N declares his eggs and bagel delicious! He is a bagel junkie. My oldest DS14 says that for 2 years of N’s life he only ate bagels. That is not entirely true. He ate goldfish crackers too. :fish: ha!

We are discussing what we will do during our day. I ask if he minds if I lay back down for a while. Of course, he doesn’t. The entire breakfast tray is empty. N watches a bunch of cartoons while I drift in and out of sleep. I wanted to JUMP up out of bed and say, “Let’s get this show on the road!!” But, I could not seem to get up off the bed. This flu/virus/whatever is kicking my butt. The DH sends me a text message and asks if we’re up and do I feel better. All of a sudden it hits me how much I wish he was there. I grab the phone and run for the bathroom before N can see me get all weepy. :sad: **side note** Just so you guys know, I am aware that this TR is sounding a bit “boo hoo poor me” but I want to convey the bad parts AND the overwhelming good that came of it. I never wished I hadn’t gone. And to my credit (and the amazing Disney workforce) N never felt slighted.**end side note** I call the DH and between gulps and sobs tell him that I feel terrible and I’m starting to worry because I can’t eat anything. He says he’ll fly down (it’s $350 for the flight) and help me then fly home but I have to decide right then and I spend the time zig-zagging back and forth between whether I can handle it or not. In the end, I can’t justify the cost. So, I tell him no.

N has finished breakfast, gotten dressed and watched all the tv he can stand. We decide it’s time to get going. I’m showered by now and feeling sort of human. The ginger ale and dry toast have hit bottom and are helping. I take some ibuprofen for the back ache and off we go. We get downstairs in time to visit the shop and buy soymilk (we have a fridge in our room) and this is a good thing later (you’ll see). We also purchase some pepto in case I need it later. I’m desperate at this point. We find the bus-stop for Epcot and set up to wait. DH calls again to say hi to N and tells me that they are off to a movie at home. We board the bus to EPCOT and off we go! It’s pretty quiet. I hadn’t really been paying attention to the time when we were in the room but it’s almost 1pm! We wasted half the day! :yay:

The bus drop off for Epcot is pretty far from the gate. It’s REALLY hot. I am drinking pretty consistently so I don’t feel too bad right now. We make it through security and then wait in the line to enter the park. How can it be this busy at 1:30 pm??? Where are all these people coming from? http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0312.jpg
N is grimacing because it was REALLY sunny when I asked him to stop!
We get through and go straight to Soarin’ for a FP. We know the line for this ride is CRAZY! We don’t want to end up in it! And we don’t want to get FP’s that are for too late in the evening because we are still going to MGM later. So, we head over there and our FP return is, luckily, about 2 hours later. Yay! Mission accomplished! As we exit this FP area at Soarin’ I decide that we should have another cold drink. We pop into the Sunshine Seasons (one of our TOTAL faves!!!) and grab a gatorade to go. The cashier says, “Happy Birthday N!“ since he is still wearing his button. Then she runs away. Right away from the cash register. Huh? We wait there for a minute and she dashes back with a chocolate chip cookie for N. A free treat for his Bday! Yahoo! :bday:

The next stop is Figment. Call me crazy but I find this ride soothing. Well, all except the part with the train (it’s a train, right?). N loves Figment so we definitely fit it in. After this we are on a mission to get to Mission Space! N has been wavering our whole visit over whether he will ride the ORANGE or GREEN side. We’ve done both so we know what to expect. I tell N, there is NO way I am doing Orange. No way! I say it nicely though. And he agrees that he’s not really up to that today. Whew. On our way we notice the standby line for Test Track (which is our NEXT stop) is very small. We get into the line, completely forgetting that little, hidden room inside the queue that they wind people into that makes the line look like it’s way short.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0313.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0314.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0319.jpg
The wait time was 20 mins. It’s been about 25 and we get to where they put you through the turnstiles right before you enter the room with the movie. And BAM! The weird mechanical music stops, the CMs look up and immediately they play an announcement over the loudspeaker. “We are experiencing a shut down for the next hour or two. If you are in line please exit the way you came in. Thank you. We will have the ride open again in around 2 hours.”
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0318.jpg
And they motioned for us “beyond the turnstile” people to stay. Then they handed out FPs to everyone and said come back anytime the ride is open for the rest of the day. YAY! I have to mention here that the young teenage group behind the turnstiles was downright feisty! They demanded FPs for making them wait for a half an hour and were really rude, swearing at the CMs (in front of the young’uns!) and then left. I felt really bad for the CMs. N was happy and never missed a beat. On our way out the “back exit” we decided to visit Ellen’s Energy Adventure. Another Family Fave!

Ellen is always entertaining. And you can sit down for 29 whole minutes! Whoohoo! What cracks me up about this ride is that we’ve done it about a dozen times and we still forget the answer to the final jeopardy question EVERY time. Isn’t that odd. The question is, “This is the only energy in the Universe that will never run out.” We always forget the answer. Anyone? Anyone? :scratchin
The ride is great and I’m feeling way better. N wants to go to Mission Space next. So, we do. And we ride on the green side with a newlywed couple who insist on switching places on the numbers with us so that N can be the Engineer. They are very sweet. The ride is just wonderful. I actually like this ride alot now that there’s no spinning.

When we exit we hear the unmistakable sounds of Test Track zooming by. We decide now is as good a time as any to use our “all day FPs” and ride. So, we practically walk onto the ride. DH calls while we are loading so I say I’ll call him back. Our ride is great and here’s the rednecked photo to prove it! (I bought it from Photopass)
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0390.jpg

This is getting pretty long so I’m going to take a break here. Our next stop is the only country in the “World” that N will visit. No, really. I try to go to other ones but he’s focused.

Thanks for reading and tune in next time. Drama in less than 3 hours......

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That is good that you had a nice relaxing morning in the room. I bet that helped a lot.

Your DH is so sweet offering to fly down to help you out.:love:

[jcc0621]

So sorry that you woke up not feeling well again. It's feels even worse when you feel you are slighting your kids, doesn't it.

SOunds like you are starting to feel a little better, so I hope this is a sign of good things to come:thumbsup2

[scottny]

A nice relaxing morning is good. Crying in the bathroom is not. Nice of him to offer to come down. Seems like you are all doing well getting through Epcot. I think u even said u were feeling a little better. That is good. Hope it lasts.
great pics.

[Muffinygood]

This video comes to you straight from the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge. This bubbling geyser flows outside to a river and then down into the pool. It's very cool. N did the videotaping on this one too. Listen for his sweet little commentary!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/th_100_0241-1.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/?action=view&current=100_0241-1.flv)

[scottny]

thank you for the bonus video. it was neat.

[Trentmom]

Another great update!!

I hope that sleep in the morning and relaxing helps to make you start feelingbetter.

What a sweet DHyou have offering to fly out to help you:goodvibes

I think the answer to the Ellen Question is Sun?? I forget....I have seen it a billion times, too and forget:rotfl2:

Love the video..Very Cool:thumbsup2

[swankybeth]

The answer is brain power!
DH and I love that attraction and are constantly quoting it to each other...We're such dorks!
Sorry to hear you were still feeling sick but it was so sweet of DH to offer to come there for you. :goodvibes

[Muffinygood]

The answer is brain power!
DH and I love that attraction and are constantly quoting it to each other...We're such dorks!
Sorry to hear you were still feeling sick but it was so sweet of DH to offer to come there for you. :goodvibes

You are NOT dorks! Stupid Judy! :lmao: And you win a cookie (well, an imaginary, internet one...) you are absolutely correct. The power (I think I said energy...oh well) that never runs out is BRAIN POWER! Thanks for reading still!
Oh, and DH is very very sweet. That's why I chose him! :love:

Another great update!!

I hope that sleep in the morning and relaxing helps to make you start feelingbetter.

What a sweet DHyou have offering to fly out to help you:goodvibes

I think the answer to the Ellen Question is Sun?? I forget....I have seen it a billion times, too and forget:rotfl2:

Love the video..Very Cool:thumbsup2

He is a pretty nice guy. :love: I plan on keeping him! Tune in and see what happens next! popcorn::

thank you for the bonus video. it was neat.

A nice relaxing morning is good. Crying in the bathroom is not. Nice of him to offer to come down. Seems like you are all doing well getting through Epcot. I think u even said u were feeling a little better. That is good. Hope it lasts.
great pics.

No, crying anywhere in Disney is NOT good. I am feeling better at this point in Epcot. Things could turn though.... :rolleyes1

So sorry that you woke up not feeling well again. It's feels even worse when you feel you are slighting your kids, doesn't it.

SOunds like you are starting to feel a little better, so I hope this is a sign of good things to come:thumbsup2

Thanks for reading! Next update tomorrow sometime.... popcorn::

:lmao: Love the narration!;) :upsidedow

That is good that you had a nice relaxing morning in the room. I bet that helped a lot.

Your DH is so sweet offering to fly down to help you out.:love:

He's sweet like that most of the time. I'd say all the time but that's not really true! :rotfl: Thanks for reading! The morning at WL was very nice and I really needed it! :love:

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Just watched the video of the "geyser" in the WL. The creek that starts inside the hotel was one of my favourite things when I stayed there in July. N sounded really excited about seeing it.

[Muffinygood]

Since I forgot to mention a few important details and where DS got this fabulous hat,
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0313.jpg
I will backtrack a bit to in between our return to Soarin’ and our visit to Test Track the first time.

We were traveling back from the “other side” near Figment and the Land and we decided that we should buy hats because we didn’t bring one and it’s clearly too sunny to NOT have one. We go into the large store (I think it’s Mouseworks) in the center near the fountain. That store is HUGE! And it appears that EVERY person in the park has decided to visit at the exact moment we are. I finally scope out the hat section after what seems like an hour. The usual suspects: Mickey Ears, Princess and or Tinkerbell hats, pirate hats and straw cowboy hats. pirate: princess: :earsboy: Huh? When did they start selling those? Anyway, N decides immediately upon the “safari style” hat and is pretty happy with his purchase. I spend my time trying on EACH and EVERY hat there that isn’t ridiculous on me (girly pirate Mickey Ears...?) and dislike them all. You know, some people have “hat faces.” I do not. So, I leave without a hat. (THIS IS A BIG MISTAKE) :sad2: Though I don’t know it yet.

While purchasing N’s hat we spy some CMs with pin lanyards. We are both avid pin collectors and haven’t done any trading at all except for the MK day when N asked the Dream Team member that gave him the “speedway start magical moment” if he could see her pins. He traded a pin of Malificent for a hidden pin that ended up being an airplane. He was very happy with that trade. On one of our visits my DS14 traded with a CM for a hidden pin and ended up with a princess pin. He was bummed. N asked the Mouseworks CM nicely if he could see his pins. He said, “sure.” and moved around the counter to show him. Unfortunately he didn’t see anything he wanted. So, hat on head we made our way over to the Test Track. Then, there was a small breakdown as I mentioned in an earlier post. Next was Ellen’s Energy Adventure and Mission Space. I forgot to post this lovely pic of N at that ride so here it is!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0320.jpg
Test Track was back up and running so we did that too. And then it was time for Soarin. At this point I realized that I was NOT drinking enough water. The fact that just walking UP that incline (As Amy has mentioned in her TR, I think) at the Land nearly had me on my knees brought that home to me. I was WAY over-heated. :headache: My stomach was still feeling ok. I just felt too hot. A bit clammy and dizzy. The wave of air-conditioning hit me like a welcome breeze. Thank Goodness to whomever invented air-conditioning. I love them. :love: :worship: We made our way down stairs to the Soarin FP return and got into line with some funny people. It was a young couple with their DD approx. 3, and a mom with her two teens and DS approx. 5. They were all pretty funny. We chatted with the young couple who were talking about where to eat when they were done with Soarin’. :chat: Well, as I mentioned before, we LOVE Sunshine Seasons so I heartily recommended that! The lady with the small boy and teens turned around and started chatting with us and she mentioned that the young couple were lucky that they had a girl because girls were SOOOO much easier to handle than boys. Her teens were one of each and the young one was a boy so I guess she had a right to speak on the matter, having some of each. But, I can tell you, I disagree. Yes, I know I only have boys but I don’t think I’ve ever been around a friend with girls and had less than ONE serious outburst occur. Just MHO but, I think girls are way more emotional. Again, I’m no expert. What do you guys think? Anyway, I said that my boys were exceptionally well behaved and that my friends with girls must have the patience of a saint or they’re half deaf because I can’t handle the screeching that most little girls seem to do. Believe me, I’ve seen some bad boys too, but the girls are way louder. She said, “I’d like to introduce you to my son. He screams louder than any girl I know.” HA! That cracked me and N up totally! Poor kid.:goodvibes


After they took our FPs the CM member directed us to a line ahead of the turnstiles and we ended up with an older couple visiting Disney for their 20th anniversary. How sweet! She was carrying one of those spray fan water bottles. N bought one the first day when we arrived at the parks but he refused to carry it around on our Epcot day. Well, I must have looked pretty bad because the woman started spraying me with it. :woohoo: She said, “You look a bit red in the face and you need to cool down.” I said, “Thank you SO much for spraying me. I feel a bit hot and dizzy.” So, that was very refreshing and needed. Once we reached the end of the line and they send you into the numbered lines for the ride we lost sight of them. We requested the front for this ride and got it. Yay! On our last visit to Epcot in Dec. 2006 we didn’t think anything of it and ended up on the bottom row. The ride just isn’t the same when the orange grove smells like feet instead of oranges! ha! :laughing: On our way out we stopped at the restrooms and splashed our faces before the long walk over to the World Showcase.

It had gotten much hotter and sunnier during the day. N was saying he was hungry and could we go to England now for his fish and chips? Sure I say and off we go to the boat across the lagoon. Sadly there was NO shade for this wait. It was blazingly hot in the sun. N said he’d be willing to walk if it wasn’t far. I told him it was only the second country in from the right. So we start walking. The walk wasn’t far at all and believe it or not I was REALLY hungry. Finally. But, you know that the last thing you should eat on a completely empty tummy is probably fish and chips. Deep fried and delicious but probably too fatty. I love the girls who work the fish and chip stand in England. They are all so cute and they sound like Supernanny! We ordered up N’s fish and chip meal and two HUGE sprites. Loaded up with napkins, ketchup and straws we head off to the area near the small gazebo and english garden where the Beatle’s tribute band play and grabbed a shady bench. Ah, very peaceful and serene. Sure, it’s the smoking area so it was a tad smoky but we didn’t mind. This is where I see the ONE and ONLY bee I saw our whole trip in Florida. Weird. I know I shouldn’t eat this food, but it smells OH so good. I eat a fry. Oh my God. That is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Yummo. So, I eat a few more and some fish which N is very generously sharing with me. I actually feel human. I drink my whole soda and convince N to do the same. He’s pretty happy with his lunch/dinner (it’s around 4 pm) and we finish it off.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0321.jpg
That is N with a HUGE french fry from his meal!

At this point I try the convincing to go to other countries. Please? Can we at least go ride the Maelstrom in Norway? No? How come? Ok. What about visiting the Japanese Gardens and feeding some cracker crumbs to the Koi? No. Darn it. Ok. So we decide to leave to go to MGM at this point. The boy was undeterred. Really. He’s so focused.
The walk to the buses is REALLY long. And hot. And sunny. Why didn’t I just buy a hat and not care how stupid it looked? I fill “the cup” on the way and drink water to stay alive. I feel like my internal temperature is sky-rocketing. We make it to the buses waiting zone and queue up with everyone else. It’s SO sunny! And because it’s late in the day the roof is not protecting us. Finally, our bus arrives!!! We board the air-conditoined bus and ride over to MGM.

Tune in next time for the thrill rides and drama. It’s what you’ve been waiting for, I promise! See you soon....

[Donald is #1]

[ Why didn’t I just buy a hat and not care how stupid it looked? I fill “the cup” on the way and drink water to stay alive. I feel like my internal temperature is sky-rocketing. We make it to the buses waiting zone and queue up with everyone else. It’s SO sunny! And because it’s late in the day the roof is not protecting us. Finally, our bus arrives!!! We board the air-conditoined bus and ride over to MGM.

Tune in next time for the thrill rides and drama.

:eek: This is not sounding good! I have a very bad feeling about where this is leading!

[scottny]

Hey you ate. :yay: now hope you keep it down. :eek:

sounds like a nice day at Epcot. Fish and Chips sound so good. OOh rides and drama at MGM???

Looking forward to the next installment.

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

[jcc0621]

:cool1: That you are strating to feel human again. I look like a dork in a hat, but I always wear one at WDW. Will never wear one at home though:confused3 DH thinks I am just nuts.

I hope the last sentence of your installment is not foreshadowing of bad things to comepopcorn::

[Trentmom]

Another fabolous update:thumbsup2

I hear ya aboiut the hats, I don't normally wear them either.

But in Disney, I make the exception and boy do they help a lot with that darn sun:)

Wow...that was a big fry!!!!!:rotfl2:

Great Cliffhanger, drama up next!!!!!

Hope we dont have to wait too long:goodvibes

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That's too bad that N would not allow visits to any of the other countries.:sad2:

At least you were able to get some food in your system!

I am afraid for you after that forewarning in the hat buying story.:scared:

[Muffinygood]

OOPS! I misquoted!!!

***At this point I realized that I was NOT drinking enough water. The fact that just walking UP that incline (As Amy has mentioned in her TR, I think) at the Land nearly had me on my knees brought that home to me.***

That's actually DawnMaree's comment! I have way too many TR's goin' over here!

:lmao:

Sorry gals!

:love:

[dismom9761]

HI! I am glad that you were feeling better though the heat was brutal.
The pictures are great-wow BIG fry!
Looking forward to more.

BTW,boys are much easier!:scared1: Just my opinion though.:goodvibes

[Muffinygood]

:eek: This is not sounding good! I have a very bad feeling about where this is leading!

The Drama is on it's way! Thanks for reading! :love:

Hey you ate. :yay: now hope you keep it down. :eek:

sounds like a nice day at Epcot. Fish and Chips sound so good. OOh rides and drama at MGM???

Looking forward to the next installment.



I have been hankering for those darned fish and chips since I came home! When I say it was the BEST food I've ever tasted, I think I mean it! It was SO good! Rides and drama up tomorrow. Unfortunately, today had enough drama and I couldn't come home and type any! :rotfl: Glad you are here still and reading along! :love:

:cool1: That you are strating to feel human again. I look like a dork in a hat, but I always wear one at WDW. Will never wear one at home though:confused3 DH thinks I am just nuts.

I hope the last sentence of your installment is not foreshadowing of bad things to comepopcorn::

AH, foreshadowing! Love it! Yes the drama is all coming tomorrow. You'll laugh, you'll cry. Well, you might feel a bit bad anyhoo.....:confused3 My M.I.L. was completely aghast that I didn't wear a hat in that FL sun. She told all the little old ladies at the "red hat" group. They all think I'm an idiot now...argh. Guess I'll buy me one of them straw cowboy hats! thanks for reading along! :love:

Another fabolous update:thumbsup2

I hear ya aboiut the hats, I don't normally wear them either.

But in Disney, I make the exception and boy do they help a lot with that darn sun:)

Wow...that was a big fry!!!!!:rotfl2:

Great Cliffhanger, drama up next!!!!!

Hope we dont have to wait too long:goodvibes

I will be writing the DRAMA part tomorrow. Stay tuned! popcorn:: The hat thing is going to haunt me forever. Such a small thing to do to ensure survival...ha! Yes, that's the grandpappy of all french fries.....Thanks for reading along! :love:

That's too bad that N would not allow visits to any of the other countries.:sad2:

At least you were able to get some food in your system!

I am afraid for you after that forewarning in the hat buying story.:scared:


Yes, the lack of a silly hat might kill me. OOHHH. Foreshadowing....oooohhh. :eek: Not visiting the other countries was fine. We go to Disney enough that I wasn't feeling like I was missing out on too much. And, it was HIS birthday. Now, if it was MY birthday we'd NEVER leave the darn World Showcase. :rolleyes1 :woohoo:

HI! I am glad that you were feeling better though the heat was brutal.
The pictures are great-wow BIG fry!
Looking forward to more.

BTW,boys are much easier!:scared1: Just my opinion though.:goodvibes

Glad you concure! I knew you'd have an opinion with your "full house" over there...:grouphug: It was so hot my brains felt cooked. They felt like that french fry. Toasty and a bit crunchy.

Glad you are here to read. I'm loving yours too! :love:

[pixe*dst]

Just tuning in. I'm sorry you were sick at Disney. There is nothing worse than nausea & I think the Imagineers should find some way to keep it out of WDW. You are a great mom for pulling it together & doing everything your son wanted--I can't do those rides when I feel perfectly normal!

[Trentmom]

Hmmmm....I am thinking you are going to have a nasty sunburned head tomorrow............:scared1:


Hoping I am wrong though:goodvibes

[Muffinygood]

This is the update you’ve been waiting for! The drama filled one...

We are riding on the bus from Epcot to MGM. This is a strange ride because it’s filled with people who are leaving one of the water parks. They are hauling beach toys and bags and kids and wet pool noodles. Quite a sight. Some of the kids look sunburned. N and I chat about riding the “big rides” at MGM while we ride.

I sit and try to absorb the air conditioning into my over-heated brain. I actually feel like I’m burning up inside. Way too warm. My stomach starts to hurt and that great friend, nausea, is back. The ride seems long but we finally arrive at the bus stop at MGM. This is where I finally realize that I’m somehow worse than in the past days. The walk from the buses to the gate feels like 5 miles. N is so happy, chattering on about the first ride. He is going straight to Rock n Roller Coaster because that’s his favorite one. We discuss whether there will be fast passes available at the park at this late hour. I think it’s around 6 pm.

We wind our way through the huge crowds milling around on Sunset Blvd. Part of the way we walk through the stores on the right side of the street since we still haven’t found something for DS14. The air conditioning feels really good inside the stores, and exiting is like being smacked with a hot, wet towel. We emerge finally into the scary crowd at the entrance to the RnRC area. The FPs are indeed sold out for the day. The standby line says the wait is 40 minutes but I’ve never seen it longer. It’s HUGE! We get into the line and start the wait. In fact, the line is sooo long that it’s overflowed the area that has a shade awning over it and we are standing in the sun. This unrelenting sun! I am drinking the water in “the cup” which I filled while N made a potty stop over on the main road. We strike up a conversation with the nice family behind us. They have never ridden this ride before. N proceeds to tell them that it goes 0 to 60 in 2.3 seconds. Shocked looks all around. This family consists of a mom, her son (CHUCK) and his wife (PAT). They are the Jones’ from Delaware. They are really nice and joke around with N while I stand there feeling worse and worse.
**Sidenote- It’s not the nausea this time. This time is different. I am hot. Feel like I’m burning up inside. My head hurts. I’m dizzy. end sidenote**

Pat looks me in the eye for a second and says, “Sit down. Right Now!” I say, “What? On the cement?” She places her hand at my elbow and says in a pretty strong voice, “Chuck, help her sit down.” I say, “What’s going on?” She’s on her knees on the ground next to me and her MIL next to her. She says we’re nurses and you don’t look so good. I say, “Well, I’ve been sick since I got here three days ago and I feel a bit dizzy.” They ask me when I ate last. Well, I had 4 french fries today. Ominous looks all around. Pat is asking me questions, most of which I don’t know the answers to or have forgotten now.
It’s all too much. I start to cry (which kills me because I’m there alone with N and he’s starting to look a bit worried) and say that he only wants to ride two more rides and then we’re done. We are going home tomorrow and it’s his birthday and I did everything else and I am not going to let him down now. Pat says that N will ride with them. I will go over to the wall and sit in the shade and wait for him. She gives me her cell number (typing it into my phone so that I have it) I tell her that N has a cell phone in his pocket too. They insist that he ride with them and I go sit down. N seems ok with this plan although I can tell you that upon returning home my DH and DS14 said that they knew I wasn’t ok when I let him go with perfect strangers onto the ride.

I go sit down and call my DH at home. He’s extremely worried. He says that he will call his parents (near Tampa) and have them meet me at the park and stay with me through the night. Neither of us realize at this point what is going on with me. But, I’m sufficiently scared that I think I need help. He says he’ll call me back. He does but it is to tell me that his parents are both in bed with 102 temperatures and the flu. He said that they assured him that if it’s an EMERGENCY they will be here immediately but they are worried that they’ll infect us. I say, no. They don’t feel well and I can’t ask them to drive over an hour, sick, to help me.

The ride wait must have been WAY longer than 40 minutes because the time goes by and goes by and they don’t come back. I talk to the DH most of the time and he is starting to freak out. He keeps it under wraps but I can tell. I’m pretty scared myself. I don’t know what’s wrong with me and I don’t know what to do. Poor N. He literally insisted on the bus that he did NOT want to do ANYTHING at MGM except this and ToT. I have to figure this out. Too bad that no matter how badly I want to do these things, I can’t seem to get my feet under me. I am feeling worse and worse. I’m still sniffling and the lady next to me asks if I’m ok. Finally, I see the MIL exit the ride and come towards me. She says, “You don’t look better.” She tells me that N is a funny little guy and he and Chuck were cracking jokes because she was too scared to ride after he told her how fast it went! I kept thanking her for taking N and that I really appreciated it but she insists that it made their wait way better. Pat and Chuck exit the ride with N. Pat says she bought the photo and she asks me to write down my email address so she can send me the photo after she scans it. I do this. At this point Chuck decides that he’s going for help. He finds a CM working at a food stand and tells him that he needs a wheelchair for a guest that is dizzy and sick. The CM says he can’t leave and he doesn’t have a radio but when he sees someone he’ll tell them. Chuck comes back to us at the wall and says, “I will carry you to the front of the park.” At this I laugh out loud! He’s huge. A wall of a man. He’s at least 6 foot 6 inches (my DH is 6’5” so I’m guessing as he’s a least bigger than him) and he’s probably 320 pounds! I say, “Chuck you look strong but you aren’t THAT strong.” He says, “ok then. I am going to walk holding your arm the whole way.” When I say that these people are living angels, I mean it. I’ve never felt so helpless in my whole life in that park, sick with my son and no one else in the world. They came along and took us up to protect us. He walks us along and when we get to the end of Sunset Blvd. he goes to the CM at the Guest Information counter and says, “I have a nice lady here who is having a medical emergency. She’s all alone with her son and I want a wheelchair and some help.”

Meanwhile, over at the bench I’m sitting on N has spotted the ice cream cart. I have totally forgotten that his only request all day was a frozen banana. He never asks for anything on this trip, but on the way out of Epcot he mentions that he wants one and I say we will get one as soon as we get to MGM. Poor N, he’s been lost in the shuffle. I give him money and send him over for a frozen banana and water. BUT, Pat and her MIL have beaten him to it. They’ve already bought me a water. And they promptly set him up with the banana and tell him to keep the money in his pocket. I cry again at the sheer kindness these people show us.

Chuck comes back with CM, Stephanie, who says,”How is everything over here?” I say not so great. She asks some questions and then says I am getting you a wheelchair. She says I highly recommend that you go to first aid. All I can think of at this point is that I want to get to the hotel and I don’t want to ride the bus but I will if I have to. I just don’t think I can walk to the bus. She says I think first aid because if you go there first I can then transport you to your hotel in my car and you won’t have to ride the bus. That’s sounding good to me so I agree to go. I feel bad about N missing the ToT but I don’t bring it up. He doesn’t seem to know just how bad things are and I am worried I’ll scare him more. Pat, Chuck and Mom hug us goodbye. They tell N that they loved riding with him and they wish us good luck. I can’t stop thanking them and finally Stephanie saves me by wheeling me away. She wishes N a happy birthday (he has on his pin) and asks if he’s had a good birthday? He says yes. She asks if he got to ride all the rides he wanted to ride. He says everything but ToT but that’s fine because Mom’s sick. She says, I’ll take care of that.

Stephanie wheels me into the first aid station where the nurse, Jean, comes to greet us at the door. Stephanie explains what she knows to Jean who takes me back to a small cubicle with a bed to lie on. She fetches me a cold, wet washcloth which feels like HEAVEN. She insists that I drink the rest of my water and gets me more. N also drinks some which is good because I realize I can’t remember when he’s had some thing to drink last. I talk with him and he seems fine. He’s not freaked out at all. Thank goodness! He goes to the potty and then comes back. Stephanie pops in to see me once or twice. The second time she comes in she asks if she can borrow N to take him on ToT. I am incredulous. This amazing place! These amazing people! I tell N make sure his phone is on, and kiss him. He says, “Feel better Momma.” I say, “I’m trying.” I kiss him and off he goes with Stephanie. In the meantime, I call the inlaws and tell them what’s going on and that I’m feeling pretty bad still but not over-heated anymore at least. Lying down has helped alot. They tell me to call and update them soon. I call DH and he’s saying he is going to fly there but he won’t be here till tomorrow morning. I try to talk him down. He’s wigged out because I am usually VERY capable. This is new to him. I tell him to wait, I think I’m feeling better. A white lie but he’s gotta stay home. Jean comes back to see me and says she thinks I need to go to the emergency room. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. She is probably right that I need IV fluids at this point but in my head is the resounding THRUM THRUM THRUM of “What about N?” I decide then and there that I WILL NOT go to the ER.

Finally, N and Stephanie arrive back at the First Aid building. N is so excited. She brought him to the front of the line. She set him up with a nice group of teenagers who were visiting the park that day. They immediately adopted N and insisted he ride with them. They high fived him all around for his birthday. They asked him if the ride scares him. He laughs and says, “No. Nothing scares me.” He’s very brave. They all decide to put their arms up when they drop and they all laugh and laugh. N has a great time riding and after Stephanie meets him at the exit and buys him the 8x10 to remember it by. She’s an angel also. Later as they are walking back to see me in First Aid, he sees some of the “big kids” and they yell, “HEY BIRTHDAY BOY!!”
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0389.jpg
N is so excited. His happy mood helps me feel better about my decision. I will live through the night and be fine. I should probably note that Jean, the nurse, has decided that I likely have a fever from whatever virus I've been fighting, heat stroke (darn shoulda got that hat) and am dehydrated. Even knowing that she's probably right, I can't go to the ER. I have to go to the hotel and get better on my own. Not sure now why this was so important to me. Clearly, I was delirious. I ask Stephanie to please bring us to the hotel. She agrees and goes to get the car.

Next update.........will I regret my decision? :confused3

[dodukes]

OMG, I have been reading along but my goodness, you must have been fellling awful!!! thank god that N is a good sport and it does seem like he had a great time on the trip and wow, im amazed at the great CM's, how kool for her to set him up to the front and get him the photo to remember!!, whata sweetheart!!

[jcc0621]

This is the update you’ve been waiting for! The drama filled one...

We are riding on the bus from Epcot to MGM. This is a strange ride because it’s filled with people who are leaving one of the water parks. They are hauling beach toys and bags and kids and wet pool noodles. Quite a sight. Some of the kids look sunburned. N and I chat about riding the “big rides” at MGM while we ride.

I sit and try to absorb the air conditioning into my over-heated brain. I actually feel like I’m burning up inside. Way too warm. My stomach starts to hurt and that great friend, nausea, is back. The ride seems long but we finally arrive at the bus stop at MGM. This is where I finally realize that I’m somehow worse than in the past days. The walk from the buses to the gate feels like 5 miles. N is so happy, chattering on about the first ride. He is going straight to Rock n Roller Coaster because that’s his favorite one. We discuss whether there will be fast passes available at the park at this late hour. I think it’s around 6 pm.

We wind our way through the huge crowds milling around on Sunset Blvd. Part of the way we walk through the stores on the right side of the street since we still haven’t found something for DS14. The air conditioning feels really good inside the stores, and exiting is like being smacked with a hot, wet towel. We emerge finally into the scary crowd at the entrance to the RnRC area. The FPs are indeed sold out for the day. The standby line says the wait is 40 minutes but I’ve never seen it longer. It’s HUGE! We get into the line and start the wait. In fact, the line is sooo long that it’s overflowed the area that has a shade awning over it and we are standing in the sun. This unrelenting sun! I am drinking the water in “the cup” which I filled while N made a potty stop over on the main road. We strike up a conversation with the nice family behind us. They have never ridden this ride before. N proceeds to tell them that it goes 0 to 60 in 2.3 seconds. Shocked looks all around. This family consists of a mom, her son (CHUCK) and his wife (PAT). They are the Jones’ from Delaware. They are really nice and joke around with N while I stand there feeling worse and worse.
**Sidenote- It’s not the nausea this time. This time is different. I am hot. Feel like I’m burning up inside. My head hurts. I’m dizzy. end sidenote**

Pat looks me in the eye for a second and says, “Sit down. Right Now!” I say, “What? On the cement?” She places her hand at my elbow and says in a pretty strong voice, “Chuck, help her sit down.” I say, “What’s going on?” She’s on her knees on the ground next to me and her MIL next to her. She says we’re nurses and you don’t look so good. I say, “Well, I’ve been sick since I got here three days ago and I feel a bit dizzy.” They ask me when I ate last. Well, I had 4 french fries today. Ominous looks all around. Pat is asking me questions, most of which I don’t know the answers to or have forgotten now.
It’s all too much. I start to cry (which kills me because I’m there alone with N and he’s starting to look a bit worried) and say that he only wants to ride two more rides and then we’re done. We are going home tomorrow and it’s his birthday and I did everything else and I am not going to let him down now. Pat says that N will ride with them. I will go over to the wall and sit in the shade and wait for him. She gives me her cell number (typing it into my phone so that I have it) I tell her that N has a cell phone in his pocket too. They insist that he ride with them and I go sit down. N seems ok with this plan although I can tell you that upon returning home my DH and DS14 said that they knew I wasn’t ok when I let him go with perfect strangers onto the ride.

I go sit down and call my DH at home. He’s extremely worried. He says that he will call his parents (near Tampa) and have them meet me at the park and stay with me through the night. Neither of us realize at this point what is going on with me. But, I’m sufficiently scared that I think I need help. He says he’ll call me back. He does but it is to tell me that his parents are both in bed with 102 temperatures and the flu. He said that they assured him that if it’s an EMERGENCY they will be here immediately but they are worried that they’ll infect us. I say, no. They don’t feel well and I can’t ask them to drive over an hour, sick, to help me.

The ride wait must have been WAY longer than 40 minutes because the time goes by and goes by and they don’t come back. I talk to the DH most of the time and he is starting to freak out. He keeps it under wraps but I can tell. I’m pretty scared myself. I don’t know what’s wrong with me and I don’t know what to do. Poor N. He literally insisted on the bus that he did NOT want to do ANYTHING at MGM except this and ToT. I have to figure this out. Too bad that no matter how badly I want to do these things, I can’t seem to get my feet under me. I am feeling worse and worse. I’m still sniffling and the lady next to me asks if I’m ok. Finally, I see the MIL exit the ride and come towards me. She says, “You don’t look better.” She tells me that N is a funny little guy and he and Chuck were cracking jokes because she was too scared to ride after he told her how fast it went! I kept thanking her for taking N and that I really appreciated it but she insists that it made their wait way better. Pat and Chuck exit the ride with N. Pat says she bought the photo and she asks me to write down my email address so she can send me the photo after she scans it. I do this. At this point Chuck decides that he’s going for help. He finds a CM working at a food stand and tells him that he needs a wheelchair for a guest that is dizzy and sick. The CM says he can’t leave and he doesn’t have a radio but when he sees someone he’ll tell them. Chuck comes back to us at the wall and says, “I will carry you to the front of the park.” At this I laugh out loud! He’s huge. A wall of a man. He’s at least 6 foot 6 inches (my DH is 6’5” so I’m guessing as he’s a least bigger than him) and he’s probably 320 pounds! I say, “Chuck you look strong but you aren’t THAT strong.” He says, “ok then. I am going to walk holding your arm the whole way.” When I say that these people are living angels, I mean it. I’ve never felt so helpless in my whole life in that park, sick with my son and no one else in the world. They came along and took us up to protect us. He walks us along and when we get to the end of Sunset Blvd. he goes to the CM at the Guest Information counter and says, “I have a nice lady here who is having a medical emergency. She’s all alone with her son and I want a wheelchair and some help.”

Meanwhile, over at the bench I’m sitting on N has spotted the ice cream cart. I have totally forgotten that his only request all day was a frozen banana. He never asks for anything on this trip, but on the way out of Epcot he mentions that he wants one and I say we will get one as soon as we get to MGM. Poor N, he’s been lost in the shuffle. I give him money and send him over for a frozen banana and water. BUT, Pat and her MIL have beaten him to it. They’ve already bought me a water. And they promptly set him up with the banana and tell him to keep the money in his pocket. I cry again at the sheer kindness these people show us.

Chuck comes back with CM, Stephanie, who says,”How is everything over here?” I say not so great. She asks some questions and then says I am getting you a wheelchair. She says I highly recommend that you go to first aid. All I can think of at this point is that I want to get to the hotel and I don’t want to ride the bus but I will if I have to. I just don’t think I can walk to the bus. She says I think first aid because if you go there first I can then transport you to your hotel in my car and you won’t have to ride the bus. That’s sounding good to me so I agree to go. I feel bad about N missing the ToT but I don’t bring it up. He doesn’t seem to know just how bad things are and I am worried I’ll scare him more. Pat, Chuck and Mom hug us goodbye. They tell N that they loved riding with him and they wish us good luck. I can’t stop thanking them and finally Stephanie saves me by wheeling me away. She wishes N a happy birthday (he has on his pin) and asks if he’s had a good birthday? He says yes. She asks if he got to ride all the rides he wanted to ride. He says everything but ToT but that’s fine because Mom’s sick. She says, I’ll take care of that.

Stephanie wheels me into the first aid station where the nurse, Jean, comes to greet us at the door. Stephanie explains what she knows to Jean who takes me back to a small cubicle with a bed to lie on. She fetches me a cold, wet washcloth which feels like HEAVEN. She insists that I drink the rest of my water and gets me more. N also drinks some which is good because I realize I can’t remember when he’s had some thing to drink last. I talk with him and he seems fine. He’s not freaked out at all. Thank goodness! He goes to the potty and then comes back. Stephanie pops in to see me once or twice. The second time she comes in she asks if she can borrow N to take him on ToT. I am incredulous. This amazing place! These amazing people! I tell N make sure his phone is on, and kiss him. He says, “Feel better Momma.” I say, “I’m trying.” I kiss him and off he goes with Stephanie. In the meantime, I call the inlaws and tell them what’s going on and that I’m feeling pretty bad still but not over-heated anymore at least. Lying down has helped alot. They tell me to call and update them soon. I call DH and he’s saying he is going to fly there but he won’t be here till tomorrow morning. I try to talk him down. He’s wigged out because I am usually VERY capable. This is new to him. I tell him to wait, I think I’m feeling better. A white lie but he’s gotta stay home. Jean comes back to see me and says she thinks I need to go to the emergency room. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. She is probably right that I need IV fluids at this point but in my head is the resounding THRUM THRUM THRUM of “What about N?” I decide then and there that I WILL NOT go to the ER.

Finally, N and Stephanie arrive back at the First Aid building. N is so excited. She brought him to the front of the line. She set him up with a nice group of teenagers who were visiting the park that day. They immediately adopted N and insisted he ride with them. They high fived him all around for his birthday. They asked him if the ride scares him. He laughs and says, “No. Nothing scares me.” He’s very brave. They all decide to put their arms up when they drop and they all laugh and laugh. N has a great time riding and after Stephanie meets him at the exit and buys him the 8x10 to remember it by. She’s an angel also. Later as they are walking back to see me in First Aid, he sees some of the “big kids” and they yell, “HEY BIRTHDAY BOY!!”
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0389.jpg
N is so excited. His happy mood helps me feel better about my decision. I will live through the night and be fine. I should probably note that Jean, the nurse, has decided that I likely have a fever from whatever virus I've been fighting, heat stroke (darn shoulda got that hat) and am dehydrated. Even knowing that she's probably right, I can't go to the ER. I have to go to the hotel and get better on my own. Not sure now why this was so important to me. Clearly, I was delirious. I ask Stephanie to please bring us to the hotel. She agrees and goes to get the car.

Next update.........will I regret my decision? :confused3

LEt me just say that I am feeling so bad for you right now. THere is no feeling worse in the world than feeling that you have let you kids down.:sad2: Here is a:grouphug: , even though it is over now, we can always use one.:goodvibes

The family that assisted you were fabulous:thumbsup2 And how cool that the CM took N to the front of the line for ToT and bought him the pic.

This is what the Disney Magic is all about:goodvibes

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Wow, what a horrible afternoon for you.:sad1:

That family that you meet in line were amazing. That was so nice of them to take N on the ride and then make sure that you got to First Aid. Even bought N his frozen banana.

Stephanie and the first aid staff sound wonderful as well. I love how Disney makes sure that you have a great trip even when unfortunate circumstances befall you. N still got to do TOT while you got taken care of. I really hope that resting at the hotel helps and that you do not get any worse.:hug:

[Disneyolic]

I just can't believe what happened to you. I feel so bad for you. But definitely Someone was looking out for you when you entered the line for RnRC. You had the perfect people to be next to and help you. I am also very happy that Stephanie took care of N with his ToT request.

I have had heat stroke in the past on a trip to Bermuda. I fainted in the middle of a street and refused to go to the ER. I was ordered by a wonderful police woman to go straight to my hotel room for the remainder of the day and night and drink a lot of orange juice. Which I did and thank goodness it was pre-kid days. I was able to take care of myself and by the next day I was just about back to normal.

You really have to watch it and that is why I always have water on hand on any vacation!

[Muffinygood]

Ok, we have 2200 views according the the trip report page. Where are all you lurkers hiding?????

:surfweb:

Come out, come out wherever you are!

Come on. Say hi. Don't be so shy! :wave:

[dismom9761]

First let me say I need a name to call you.Even a made up one will be fine.

Second,:hug: I hate that you got so sick.:hug: The family and CMs were great and I am so glad that they were there at the right time.:goodvibes

I love the pic of N on TOT.:cool2: Even though you were so sick there was still pixie dust for him.

I hope getting to the resort did the trick.

[Muffinygood]

Ha! Ok, you can call me Mel. That's what everyone else calls me. :rolleyes:

Gonna respond to all the other comments tonight!!

:love:

[scottny]

ok I thought you were getting better. I am so sorry that it hit you like that. What great people you met in line. They were so nice. (Did she email the pic like she said)?
The CM Stephanie was so nice to take N to TOT so he could ride it.

A not so great update but at least N got to do the 2 rides he wanted and had his frozen banana.

[Muffinygood]

Just tuning in. I'm sorry you were sick at Disney. There is nothing worse than nausea & I think the Imagineers should find some way to keep it out of WDW. You are a great mom for pulling it together & doing everything your son wanted--I can't do those rides when I feel perfectly normal!

No supermom here. I was just determined to not ruin his trip. If you can figure out how to get them to get rid of the nausea please tell me! Thanks for reading! :love:

Hmmmm....I am thinking you are going to have a nasty sunburned head tomorrow............:scared1:


Hoping I am wrong though:goodvibes

You were close, Trentmom! GOOD guessing. Thanks for reading. :love: The TR gets all warm and fuzzy from now on.

OMG, I have been reading along but my goodness, you must have been fellling awful!!! thank god that N is a good sport and it does seem like he had a great time on the trip and wow, im amazed at the great CM's, how kool for her to set him up to the front and get him the photo to remember!!, whata sweetheart!!

I wrote to Disney as soon as we got home and let them know how wonderful the CMs were at the parks. And the room service staff. And the chef at Narcoossee's, etc. They were ALL wonderful. Thanks for coming out to say hi. And thanks for reading!! :love:

LEt me just say that I am feeling so bad for you right now. THere is no feeling worse in the world than feeling that you have let you kids down.:sad2: Here is a:grouphug: , even though it is over now, we can always use one.:goodvibes

The family that assisted you were fabulous:thumbsup2 And how cool that the CM took N to the front of the line for ToT and bought him the pic.

This is what the Disney Magic is all about:goodvibes

I wasn't shocked that they did those wonderful things but I was VERY thankful. We've never had anything but good experiences at Disney. That is why I chose their parks/resorts over ANY OTHER vacation. It's sad really. :laughing: The ToT picture just says it all to me. N is having a wonderful time and it shows. That's all I wanted. Thanks for reading along! :love:

Wow, what a horrible afternoon for you.:sad1:

That family that you meet in line were amazing. That was so nice of them to take N on the ride and then make sure that you got to First Aid. Even bought N his frozen banana.

Stephanie and the first aid staff sound wonderful as well. I love how Disney makes sure that you have a great trip even when unfortunate circumstances befall you. N still got to do TOT while you got taken care of. I really hope that resting at the hotel helps and that you do not get any worse.:hug:

Things are getting better all the time. The TR takes a sunny, happy upswing next update! He loved that frozen banana! :banana: He was looking forward to it all day! Thanks for reading along. :love:

I just can't believe what happened to you. I feel so bad for you. But definitely Someone was looking out for you when you entered the line for RnRC. You had the perfect people to be next to and help you. I am also very happy that Stephanie took care of N with his ToT request.

I have had heat stroke in the past on a trip to Bermuda. I fainted in the middle of a street and refused to go to the ER. I was ordered by a wonderful police woman to go straight to my hotel room for the remainder of the day and night and drink a lot of orange juice. Which I did and thank goodness it was pre-kid days. I was able to take care of myself and by the next day I was just about back to normal.

You really have to watch it and that is why I always have water on hand on any vacation!

What's funny is that I have been reading your TR and the post you mention that in (I think it's 1291) I have a note to mention that in my update but I forgot to add it in. I read your TR and I thought, "OK, so it WAS heatstroke!!" I still wasn't sure after all this time! That nurse was pretty insistent that I needed medical care but I know she probably has liability issues to deal with if she doesn't recommend that. Thanks for continuing to read. I hope you tune in for the upcoming updates, they are going to get happier!!
:love:

First let me say I need a name to call you.Even a made up one will be fine.

Second,:hug: I hate that you got so sick.:hug: The family and CMs were great and I am so glad that they were there at the right time.:goodvibes

I love the pic of N on TOT.:cool2: Even though you were so sick there was still pixie dust for him.

I hope getting to the resort did the trick.

Tune in for the happier part of the TR. And yes, the CMs and the Jones' were so wonderful. I really believe that they were angels. N loves this pic of him on ToT. He loved hanging out with the "big kids." Thanks for the :hug: And you can definitely call me Mel. (in case you didn't see my above post) :love:

ok I thought you were getting better. I am so sorry that it hit you like that. What great people you met in line. They were so nice. (Did she email the pic like she said)?
The CM Stephanie was so nice to take N to TOT so he could ride it.

A not so great update but at least N got to do the 2 rides he wanted and had his frozen banana.


That frozen banana was the highlight of his day! Maybe the whole trip! No, no email picture yet but I can cut them some slack seeing as though they basically saved my life and made N's day. ;) The TR is going to get really good now. All happy and rainbows.... Thanks for reading!! :love:

[Donald is #1]

:scared1: Heatstroke!!! You must have been scared out of your mind!

I am so impressed to hear about the family and the CMs who helped you. :grouphug: It is amazing the people that you can meet when you least expect it.

So, were you ok in the room that night?

[Muffinygood]

:scared1: Heatstroke!!! You must have been scared out of your mind!

I am so impressed to hear about the family and the CMs who helped you. :grouphug: It is amazing the people that you can meet when you least expect it.

So, were you ok in the room that night?

I was SO scared. As I said, I'm pretty capable usually so this was quite a shock to me. The people that were in that line and the CMs were amazing. This is why I go to Disney in the first place!! :thumbsup2 Thanks for reading! Tune in next time for the happy part. :love:

[cmp1111]

Oh, what a trip! I've been away and am just catching up...

I'm so sorry this happened to you, but what magic helpers you had. I'm glad that we're having an upswing for the next update.

My DH calls me one of the strongest people he knows, and I am just terrible at being sick. I can't let go and NOT do the things I think I should be doing. I can only imagine the heartsick feeling of fearing letting your child down, not in the regular "gotta make dinner, take you do tennis" way, but at WDW... :grouphug:

[Muffinygood]

Oh, what a trip! I've been away and am just catching up...

I'm so sorry this happened to you, but what magic helpers you had. I'm glad that we're having an upswing for the next update.

My DH calls me one of the strongest people he knows, and I am just terrible at being sick. I can't let go and NOT do the things I think I should be doing. I can only imagine the heartsick feeling of fearing letting your child down, not in the regular "gotta make dinner, take you do tennis" way, but at WDW... :grouphug:


Thanks! Yes, it was very....trying. ;) I like to pride myself on my ability to handle various stressful experiences without having a real problem. This one was completely out of my hands. I just had to roll with it. Though my DH has now FORBIDDEN me to EVER going ANYWHERE without him EVER again! :rotfl2:

Thanks for reading. New update tonight or tomorrow morning. :love:

[Trentmom]

Wow...What an update.

That must have been so scary.

You truly were blessed by an angel having htose wonderful guests with you in line and taking care of you and still seeing that your son have a wonderful bday:goodvibes

That cm, Stephanie, that was so cool that she made sure your ds got on TOT and what a nice bunch of teenagers. That is so heartwarming:love:

I relaly hope you are fine back at the hotel. Having to go to ER is scary, especially wen you are away from your home, with just your ds....:goodvibes

[DisneyJo]

Subbing so I can read later :goodvibes

[swankybeth]

Wow, I can't imagine how you must have been feeling! :guilty:
I was really happy to read about how the Jones' and the CM's took care of you and made sure N got to do everything he wanted also. :goodvibes

[Muffinygood]

This update is just what happens during the night. As such there are no pictures, but the NEXT update is chock full!!!


The trip from MGM to the hotel is actually pretty interesting. Stephanie pulls the minivan up to the back door of the first aid station (which is on the left side of the street just after you enter the park) and we pile into the car. I remember this being difficult because I was trying to buckle N into his seatbelt and it was taking every ounce of effort I had in me. He was wiggling around so I finally said, “N, please help me out here!” He did and then I could concentrate on buckling myself. The drive out took us past the back of Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. This was pretty neat. Stephanie kept up a running commentary as she drove. N was fascinated by the “secret behind the scenes” stuff.

We also passed the back of Lights, Motors, Action and got to see where they keep the extra cars and tires. Stephanie mentioned how many tires they use per day and a couple of other facts which I am now fuzzy on. Sorry! We passed the backlot tour area and the back of Catastrophe Canyon. She really knew her stuff. Oh, we also passed a group of tents that were set up for a training thing they were doing for CMs that week. She said all week there were people there giving talks on various topics and lunches and snacks for the CMs. We finally exited the backstage area onto an access road that led us out across the parking lots. She drove cautiously (this may seem strange that I noted this but I am REALLY paranoid about other peoples’ driving) and that made me pretty happy. N was chit chatting all the way back to the WL. We drove up the drive and I actually took the time to note how gorgeous this hotel looks at night. All the lanterns up the driveway were lit and the hotel just looks so warm and welcoming as you approach. I was RELIEVED to be “home.” Stephanie told the CM that greeted our vehicle that she was returning a guest from first aid and they let her park right up front. She walked us into the lobby which was FILLED with people. I had not seen it that busy the entire time we were there. I was getting a bit dizzy again after the walking but she calmly walked up to the line of people waiting to see the check in desk. There were only 3 or 4 people in line but waiting there was hard. After a minute or so I said, “Stephanie, I am sure that N and I can make it to our room. It’s only into the elevator (just steps away) and out again and then about 20 feet.” We were right on the walkway overlooking the lobby. She seemed reluctant to let us go off alone but I convinced her that I was good enough to do this and she said ok. I thanked her for her help, for taking care of N, and for the ride and hugged her. She wished N a happy birthday again and left. We made our way to the elevator and then our room. I really don’t remember actually GOING to the room. I must have really been out of it.

What I do remember is that it was FREEZING in our room. I looked at the thermostat as soon as I cleared the doorway. I couldn’t believe it said 74 degrees. It felt like about 45! I ask N, “Is it really really cold in here?” He says, “No. Feels good.” Huh. Well, that cinches it. I’m feverish or something clearly. N goes to get cleaned up, jammies and whatnot. I collapse onto the bed. I remember at the last moment that I am supposed to let DH and MIL know that I have made it back to the room alive. I grab the cell and type out a text to each of them. BACK IN ROOM. GOING TO SLEEP SOON. WILL CALL IN AM. At some point I must have put my pjs on because I have them on and brushed my teeth. I don’t really recall that stuff but I’m sure I did those things. About an hour after we get back to the room, N is watching cartoons and I’m dozing in and out. N says, “Mom, I’m hungry.” Oh My Goodness! He hasn’t eaten since we were in England at 4pm!!! But, when I say that I could not lift my head up off the pillow, I am not kidding. I have never felt so awful in my life. I couldn’t stand up. I could barely speak I was so exhausted. I look over at him and say, “Oh, baby, I am so sorry. There’s half a soy milk in the fridge and I think there’s some chips left over on the desk.” Way to go me. Great mommying. Super. I just told my child to eat left over bbq chips and half a soy milk for his DINNER! OMG. The guilt is amazing but I literally CANNOT get up. He seems ok with this and not the least bit concerned that the woman who makes him eat 3 square meals a day, get fresh air, eat his veggies and demands that he brush his teeth after his meals just told him to eat CHIPS for dinner. He’s cool with it. I drop off into a restless sleep. I wake up once at 3 am, drenched in sweat (sorry if that’s TMI) and walk to the potty and pee (again, sorry, but this is good because it means I’m not TOO dehydrated) and then go back to bed and sleep again till N wakes up at 8:30 am.

When I wake up for the morning I feel like someone his hit me with a bat. I am sore, and grumpy but alive. And hungry! This is the first time in days that I can think of eating without getting sick to my stomach. I drink two big glasses of water just in case I am still dehydrated. Say a little prayer of thanks that I survive the night. Whew! I call the MIL and we have a long long talk on the phone and she says that she was worried since I am usually so capable. Yeah. Me too.

N wants to order eggs for breakfast with a bagel (of course!) and a glass of orange juice. I agree to that and order up toast and ginger ale for me. We snuggle into the covers and watch Disney cartoons and just chill out. I am a bit worried about the check out situation because I don’t know how I’m going to feel for the day. We have to check out at noon and the ME doesn’t pick us up until 4:30 pm. I think I can survive in the lobby for an hour or so but not all day. Wondering what they can do for me, I call downstairs and they transfer me to Lodgekeeping. The wonderful woman I get on the phone listens to my story about the day before and says, “You stay there until you leave.” Really? Wow. Thank you, Thank you!

**Sidenote-I have to mention that I apologize to N as soon as I wake up for the awful dinner last night. I still feel guilty about it! He says, "Mom, that was so cool. I can't believe you let me eat marshmallows and chips for dinner!" Marshmallows? Ok, I guess so. Ha! :rotfl2: Apparently he's not damaged!!**

After N’s breakfast comes to the room, and we munch down everything, we decide what (if anything) we’ll do this last day in FL.

Tune in next time for what our last day holds.....

[cmp1111]

Well, I am SO glad that you woke up feeling better. :cool1:

And, any kid in his right mind would LOVE that dinner! :love: My kids dream of that day! :rotfl2:

[scottny]

what a great CM bringing you back there and wanting to bring u to your room.
N seemed pretty happy with the dinner selections. :lmao:

[Disneyolic]

I'm glad that N seemed unphased by all that was happening to you and that he still enjoyed himself. It is really nice that you could stay in your room until you actually had to leave! That is great! And probably what you really needed.

[jcc0621]

I am so glad that you were feeling better and that N didn't seem to mind that his day was cut a little short. THat's one sweet kid:goodvibes

[Tinkerbell1013]

Hi...I'm one of those lurkers!! What a great Mom you are, taking your N to Disney World for his birthday!!! I am so sorry that your trip was a bit hard with being sick and then a heatstroke but I know that you and N made many great memories! What a great boy N is...taking care of his Momma like that!! Wonderful TR...love it!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I am sure it was very neat for N to get that behind the scene look while Stephanie drove you guys back to the WL.

So glad that you woke up feeling somewhat better and that you were allowed to stay in your room until you had to leave.

[dismom9761]

YAY!!I am so glad you felt better in the morning.:goodvibes Its wonderful that you could stay in teh room late.

Don't worry about his dinner.Its probably one of his favorite things about the trip.:goodvibes

[mousescrapper]

HI :wave2:
I know I sub'd in somehwere with promising to come back and read...well I did! :sick: at the World and by yourself with just N :scared:

First I have to say, I'm glad some great disney folks and CM's kept an eye out for you both, and how about your DH saying he'll fly down and rescue you...:hug: :angel:

Now my little comments on your TR thus far:

Great Suprise to hand N the bag with the ME tag on it, he must have thought he was dreaming or his parents just lost one....:crazy:

Sorry you missed the tiki torches lighting ceremony at the Poly, hope you had somefun anyways walking around there.

The Campfire Inferno!!!!:scared1: Yikes with a capital Y Glad you jumped in and hopefully saved a few eyebrows from being shinged off. Made a note to self in my planning book about that....avoid fire and 1000 kids, good to know;)

The birthday card and balloons from Mickey looked awesome, so cool! I bet N was just tickeled!!! (side-note: on our twins b-day suprise trip, I requested the whole card and balloon thing on their birthday too and it never arrived, I was so megga-bummed, good thing they never knew)

Now your sickness....UGH! to be sick at WDW, like my 2nd biggest fear, besides losing one of the kids there....feel so bad for you and trying to make the trip so special for N, but I think it sounded like he had a great time.

Love the b-day pin N he was wearing in those pictures with his name on it, those must be new compared to 05. very special keepsake! And that Dream Team moment so very cool, maybe I need to go agian on my Birthday...am I too old for that fun stuff?

BTW I LOVE GINGER-ALE sick or no sick!

Personally I love Space Mountian, but don't think I could ride it over and over with an upset stomach and the flu like symptoms you had...AWESOME MOM AWARD for you!

Fish & Chips....sorry you didn't get but a few fries, hope to grab a little food from there on our upcoming trip. glad you could eat something that day.:)

Your whole sick story at MGM just gave me the chills....the wonderful Diz fam and great CM, lifesavers. But at least you were cohearent enough to remeber some of the behind the scenes things!:goodvibes

Glad to read after that last night's sleep you were starting to feel on the mend. I think anytime an adult gets a fever then "sweats" in out, is by far the worse, just don't think we can tolerate that stress on our bodies anymore. So I hope the rest of the TR is on the up and up, and you overall had a good time and N had the best. He seems like a super son!

PS don't feel bad about the marshmallow and chips dinner...at least he ate right? JK

[DisneyJo]

I've just spent ages reading your wonderful TR and just have to say you poor thing, it sounded as though you were so sick, N was great such a good boy and good job you met those people at RNR to look after you. Glad you were feeling better in the last installment!

[Muffinygood]

Wow...What an update.

That must have been so scary.

You truly were blessed by an angel having htose wonderful guests with you in line and taking care of you and still seeing that your son have a wonderful bday:goodvibes

That cm, Stephanie, that was so cool that she made sure your ds got on TOT and what a nice bunch of teenagers. That is so heartwarming:love:

I relaly hope you are fine back at the hotel. Having to go to ER is scary, especially wen you are away from your home, with just your ds....

Stephanie was so great. Everyone was really. I cannot say enough about the wonderful people we met! Thanks for reading! :love:

Subbing so I can read later :goodvibes

Thanks JO! I am so glad you're here! :love:

Wow, I can't imagine how you must have been feeling!
I was really happy to read about how the Jones' and the CM's took care of you and made sure N got to do everything he wanted also. :goodvibes

It's been hard writing this TR because it's sounded so BOO HOO, POOR ME. I just really wanted to come home and write it because such GREAT things came of it. It was truly a great trip. Thanks for sticking with me. :love:

Well, I am SO glad that you woke up feeling better. :cool1:

And, any kid in his right mind would LOVE that dinner! :love: My kids dream of that day!

He still talks about the night he got to eat chips and marshmallows for dinner! HA! :rotfl2: He especially likes to bring it up when I make him eat broccoli! :confused3 Thanks for reading! :love:

what a great CM bringing you back there and wanting to bring u to your room.
N seemed pretty happy with the dinner selections. :lmao:

That just proves my point that men will eat ANYTHING when they're hungry. I swear! Thanks for reading Scott, it's been great meeting you guys! :love:

I'm glad that N seemed unphased by all that was happening to you and that he still enjoyed himself. It is really nice that you could stay in your room until you actually had to leave! That is great! And probably what you really needed.

You are so right! I was longing for time to just lay around and feel better. This really did the trick. Tune in tomorrow (hopefully) for the last wonderful day in Disney! Thanks for reading along...:love:

I am so glad that you were feeling better and that N didn't seem to mind that his day was cut a little short. THat's one sweet kid:goodvibes

That's what I think too! He really is the sweetest kid in the whole world. He never complains or misbehaves. We were so blessed. I hope this isn't just a disrtraction to throw us off course when he's 15...ha! :love:

Hi...I'm one of those lurkers!! What a great Mom you are, taking your N to Disney World for his birthday!!! I am so sorry that your trip was a bit hard with being sick and then a heatstroke but I know that you and N made many great memories! What a great boy N is...taking care of his Momma like that!! Wonderful TR...love it!

THANKS FOR COMING OUT AND SAYING HI!!!!!:banana: Thanks for the compliments too. He's a sweetie pie. And I like to think that I only did what most moms would do when the chips were down. :love:

I am sure it was very neat for N to get that behind the scene look while Stephanie drove you guys back to the WL.

So glad that you woke up feeling somewhat better and that you were allowed to stay in your room until you had to leave.

I just wish that I had paid closer attention when she was talking while we were in the car. Oh well. I guess you can't do everything. But, it was pretty neat. Thanks for reading! :love:

YAY!!I am so glad you felt better in the morning.:goodvibes Its wonderful that you could stay in teh room late.

Don't worry about his dinner.Its probably one of his favorite things about the trip.:goodvibes

You are correct! :thumbsup2 He keeps rubbing this in to the DS14 whenever he complains about food we're having (a nightly occurence.) He says, "Mom let me have chips and marshmallows for dinner in Disney." DS14 loves that! :sad2:

I've just spent ages reading your wonderful TR and just have to say you poor thing, it sounded as though you were so sick, N was great such a good boy and good job you met those people at RNR to look after you. Glad you were feeling better in the last installment!

GLAD YOU'RE HERE JO! And thanks for reading all the way through. As I said above, I know it sounds a bit boohoo but I really wanted to tell the story so that I could highlight those wonderful people who helped us. It was very heartening to see all the people left in the world who still care about others. Watching what happens on the news you could convince yourself there isn't any compassion left. But, it's alive and well in Disney! :love:

[scottny]

How sad it is almost over.

:sad2: :sad1:

[Muffinygood]

$HI :wave2:
I know I sub'd in somehwere with promising to come back and read...well I did! :sick: at the World and by yourself with just N :scared:
We made it!

First I have to say, I'm glad some great disney folks and CM's kept an eye out for you both, and how about your DH saying he'll fly down and rescue you...:hug: :angel:
He's amazing. I thanked him appropriately! :goodvibes

Now my little comments on your TR thus far:

Great Suprise to hand N the bag with the ME tag on it, he must have thought he was dreaming or his parents just lost one....:crazy:
He was completely shocked. He kept saying on the plane, No way!

Sorry you missed the tiki torches lighting ceremony at the Poly, hope you had somefun anyways walking around there.
We did, it's goregeous. I think we'll have to have a short stay there sometime. Just for the pool!
The Campfire Inferno!!!!:scared1: Yikes with a capital Y Glad you jumped in and hopefully saved a few eyebrows from being shinged off. Made a note to self in my planning book about that....avoid fire and 1000 kids, good to know;)
Most definitely PUT THAT IN THE PLANNER! They were NUTS! Whoohoo. Never again. :scared1:
The birthday card and balloons from Mickey looked awesome, so cool! I bet N was just tickeled!!! (side-note: on our twins b-day suprise trip, I requested the whole card and balloon thing on their birthday too and it never arrived, I was so megga-bummed, good thing they never knew)
Ours didn't show up till MANY hours later in the day but at least they remembered. Sorry you missed out on the magic. :sad1:

Now your sickness....UGH! to be sick at WDW, like my 2nd biggest fear, besides losing one of the kids there....feel so bad for you and trying to make the trip so special for N, but I think it sounded like he had a great time.
He did and I agree. Losing a kid at WDW would be awful! I can't imagine!

Love the b-day pin N he was wearing in those pictures with his name on it, those must be new compared to 05. very special keepsake! And that Dream Team moment so very cool, maybe I need to go agian on my Birthday...am I too old for that fun stuff?

No, I got a bday pin when we went in December. (yes, it's different from the old ones that just say it's my birthday on it) And I'm much older than 10! Ha! :rotfl2:
BTW I LOVE GINGER-ALE sick or no sick!
ME TOO!!! Though I don't think I'll be able to stomach it for a while after that experience! :sad2:

Personally I love Space Mountian, but don't think I could ride it over and over with an upset stomach and the flu like symptoms you had...AWESOME MOM AWARD for you!
Thank you ! I thought I deserved one for that. The rest was trying but riding that dang rollercoaster makes me sick on a reg. day. Riding it sick was TOO MUCH. So I accept your award. :love:

Fish & Chips....sorry you didn't get but a few fries, hope to grab a little food from there on our upcoming trip. glad you could eat something that day.:)

Your whole sick story at MGM just gave me the chills....the wonderful Diz fam and great CM, lifesavers. But at least you were cohearent enough to remeber some of the behind the scenes things!:goodvibes
Not much, but some....

Glad to read after that last night's sleep you were starting to feel on the mend. I think anytime an adult gets a fever then "sweats" in out, is by far the worse, just don't think we can tolerate that stress on our bodies anymore. So I hope the rest of the TR is on the up and up, and you overall had a good time and N had the best. He seems like a super son!

Yes, it's all up hill from here. Thanks SO much for reading along and for the great comments!! :love:

PS don't feel bad about the marshmallow and chips dinner...at least he ate right? JK
Yes. You are right! :thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

How sad it is almost over.

:sad2: :sad1:


Don't be sad Scott! I'm sure that I can drag out the last day for at least a week! :rotfl2:
I'll just have DM write it for me! :rotfl:
Kidding DM, kidding....:)
Seriously, I'm going to go back again in Dec. (well, no one here knows that yet...that's my little secret) so I guess you'll get to read another sickly story about me. It's true. I get sick on almost every trip I go on. Unless it's to somewhere boring and crappy. Then I feel great. :sad2:

So, smile my friend! And enjoy the rest... popcorn::

I've loved doing this, it's been very cathartic. :hug:

[Trentmom]

Wow.......

That must have been so cool seeing the back of MGM....too bad you can't remember too much:goodvibes

She is so wonderufl having driven you back to your hotel and walking you in.

BBQ Chips and milk for dinnner?? That is funny he had marshamallows, too... as you apparently don't remember that:rotfl2:

But no worries, he survived and that was probably one of his fav things from this trip.

That was great that they let you stay in your room until time for ME bus.

This is what Disney is all about:love:

[KatGarcia]

I am sooooo very late but I just sat and read your whole report! Holy drama! SO glad you are feeling better and you obviously have one amazing son!

[Muffinygood]

Wow.......

That must have been so cool seeing the back of MGM....too bad you can't remember too much:goodvibes

She is so wonderufl having driven you back to your hotel and walking you in.

BBQ Chips and milk for dinnner?? That is funny he had marshamallows, too... as you apparently don't remember that:rotfl2:

But no worries, he survived and that was probably one of his fav things from this trip.

That was great that they let you stay in your room until time for ME bus.

This is what Disney is all about:love:

Yes, thankfully he survived "dinner." Ha! And I totally agree. That is what I said in my letter to Disney. They called me on the phone (a nice lady named Alana from Disney Corporate offices) and said that they were so sorry that we had such a rough time, And that they had passed the letter along to the CMs, Lodgekeeping, Chef at Narcoossee's, nurse at first aid, etc. and their supervisors so that they could be recognized. Disney ROCKS!
:love:


I am sooooo very late but I just sat and read your whole report! Holy drama! SO glad you are feeling better and you obviously have one amazing son!

HELLOOOOO KAT!
Better late than never! :banana: :thumbsup2 I am so happy you are here. :love: And thanks, he is amazing. :hug:

[Disneyolic]

Don't be sad Scott! I'm sure that I can drag out the last day for at least a week! :rotfl2:
I'll just have DM write it for me! :rotfl:
Kidding DM, kidding....:)
Seriously, I'm going to go back again in Dec. (well, no one here knows that yet...that's my little secret) so I guess you'll get to read another sickly story about me. It's true. I get sick on almost every trip I go on. Unless it's to somewhere boring and crappy. Then I feel great. :sad2:
:rotfl2: Wait till you see my next update ...;)

[scottny]

Don't be sad Scott! I'm sure that I can drag out the last day for at least a week! :rotfl2:
I'll just have DM write it for me! :rotfl:
Kidding DM, kidding....:)
Seriously, I'm going to go back again in Dec. (well, no one here knows that yet...that's my little secret) so I guess you'll get to read another sickly story about me. It's true. I get sick on almost every trip I go on. Unless it's to somewhere boring and crappy. Then I feel great. :sad2:

So, smile my friend! And enjoy the rest... popcorn::

I've loved doing this, it's been very cathartic. :hug:

:lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl: here is to hoping for a sick free trip next time. that is a nice little secret to keep.

[Backstage_Gal]

Hi, Muffinygood!

Just read your whole report in one sitting. Great stories, sorry you felt so sick. Yay for kind people helping you. Thanks for sharing your story.

Looking forward to the rest of your day and trip home!

[Muffinygood]

:rotfl2: Wait till you see my next update ...;)

UH OH! Ha! :rotfl2: :worship: I'm ready for it, queen of TR's!
Hi, Muffinygood!

Just read your whole report in one sitting. Great stories, sorry you felt so sick. Yay for kind people helping you. Thanks for sharing your story.

Looking forward to the rest of your day and trip home!
:rainbow:
WELCOME Backstage Gal!!!!
Thanks for reading my TR! Yes, the kind people were all around...I love DISNEY!!! Keep on reading for the last day and happy stuff! :jumping1:

[Trentmom]

Yes, thankfully he survived "dinner." Ha! And I totally agree. That is what I said in my letter to Disney. They called me on the phone (a nice lady named Alana from Disney Corporate offices) and said that they were so sorry that we had such a rough time, And that they had passed the letter along to the CMs, Lodgekeeping, Chef at Narcoossee's, nurse at first aid, etc. and their supervisors so that they could be recognized. Disney ROCKS!
:love:




[

That is so nice that you wrote nice lettersfor all of those nice cms and that they called you!!

Gosh,I love Disney:love:


So,what is next??

[Muffinygood]

Today is a CRAZY day....I will have the update up tonight. oK? You all have fun evenings planned cuz it's FRIDAY right? You'll all be out dancing and partying till the wee hours right?

OK, so I'll see you here about 9pm. :surfweb:

[dismom9761]

Today is a CRAZY day....I will have the update up tonight. oK? You all have fun evenings planned cuz it's FRIDAY right? You'll all be out dancing and partying till the wee hours right?

OK, so I'll see you here about 9pm. :surfweb:
Yep I will be partying here at my house...Tyler has three projects to start and finish this weekend...I should be here dissing while he is slaving away...

[Trentmom]

Today is a CRAZY day....I will have the update up tonight. oK? You all have fun evenings planned cuz it's FRIDAY right? You'll all be out dancing and partying till the wee hours right?

OK, so I'll see you here about 9pm. :surfweb:

Yeah. I have one wild night planned........

at home with my ds 3 year old, me trying to dis and he climbing all over me, to get on his self and play his games....

At least his fav games are disney, right??:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[cmp1111]

I should be home by 9:00 - we have our PATT (Parents & Teachers Together) Ice Cream Social this evening. :)

[scottny]

Today is a CRAZY day....I will have the update up tonight. oK? You all have fun evenings planned cuz it's FRIDAY right? You'll all be out dancing and partying till the wee hours right?

OK, so I'll see you here about 9pm. :surfweb:

:sad2:
I will be here. i am dog sitting a clients dog and he is a yodeler so he is loud if no one is home. :confused3

[Muffinygood]

:smokin: :drinking1 Well, let me just say, you people are downright wild!
I'm glad to know that the DIS is not populated by boring people! :sad2:

See you wild and crazy guys at 9.

[Tinkerbell1013]

9 is rapidly approaching...and I am anxiously waiting. Yes, I know. I'm a party animal. I'm 23 and on the DIS at 8:35. Don't be jealous of my crazy wild social life. :lmao:

[cmp1111]

9 is rapidly approaching...and I am anxiously waiting. Yes, I know. I'm a party animal. I'm 23 and on the DIS at 8:35. Don't be jealous of my crazy wild social life. :lmao:

Ah, but are you watching Power Rangers? :rotfl2: Sorry, that's a little OT. :) Can't wait for the update!

[madge]

9 is rapidly approaching...and I am anxiously waiting. Yes, I know. I'm a party animal. I'm 23 and on the DIS at 8:35. Don't be jealous of my crazy wild social life. :lmao:

you need to be conserving your energy, for the football game tomorrow! :::go 'cats:::

[Muffinygood]

:cool1: :cool1: Hey, update in seconds!

[Muffinygood]

Hi everyone! This is our last day at Disney World. :sad1: This is so sad. But, we’ll just have to make it a good day to remember.

We’ve woken up, had breakfast and are watching cartoons. I think I enjoyed our times in the room when we were snuggling and watching tv almost as much as when we were in the parks. It’s rare that we have so much together time, just the two of us. :hug:

After speaking with the Lodgekeeping people and securing our room until 3:30 pm that day, I tell N that I don’t know what I’ll be able to do today but I am feeling way better than I was last night. He seems good with the that. He’s very easily pleased and I don’t remember him saying one way or the other whether he was worried it would be a boring day. At around 10 am I decide that I can definitely handle taking N down to the pool. I felt a little guilty doing this because I had just told Lodgekeeping that I needed the room because I was sick. I am sick, but it’s our last day there and I don’t want to tell N he can’t swim on his last day.

I stake out a shady spot and bring my camera with me. He’s so sweet, doesn’t mind me sitting this out, just swims around and has fun.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0322.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0323.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0336.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0331.jpg

The pool was practically deserted. This one family came down while we were there but that was pretty much it. Their little girl and N went down the slide together a bunch of times. She was so cute. She just kept going down the slide and then she’d yell, “THAT WAS AWESOME!” So funny!:woohoo:

The only other thing of note that happened at the pool, besides that I drank two more ginger ales, was that there was a girl there around 12 or 13 who was clearly mentally impaired in some way. She was verbal but very, very limited. She seemed to be alone and the one other family that was there was not hers. She kept coming up to me and pointing at the pool and then grabbing my arm and pulling me. She had a swimsuit on and was obviously dressed for swimming but I couldn’t imagine that she was there alone. I looked around the pool area (I did this quickly since I didn’t want to leave N in the pool unsupervised even if there was a lifeguard there) but never saw anyone who seemed to be missing her. I told her that if she’d sit down I would get the lifeguard. She could not communicate with me. She mostly grunted when she pointed at the pool. I got up to get a lifeguard and when I came back she was gone. Well, I told him and he said he’d watch for her. As far as I know, she was fine. But, the whole thing was weird. And it bothered me for hours later. I did eventually (MUCH LATER) pass her and a woman in the hallway and the woman was barely listening to her while she was trying to tell the woman something. I don’t know if she “belonged with them” or was just trying to get someone else’s attention. Again, it pretty much bugged me the entire day. It was very odd. :confused:

Anyway, the pool was lovely. I tried my best to stay out of the sun and keep hydrated. N swam around and the ducks kept coming in for a landing in the pool so he was thrilled. The ducks there are amazing. They would land in the pool when it was FILLED with kids yelling and splashing. Clearly they were Disney Ducks!:donald:

N really enjoyed visiting the hot tub while we were at the pool area. They have two at this resort, one that is SCARY hot and one that is just right. We tried our toes in the SCARY hot one. NO way. TOO hot. Then N settled into the hot tub that was just right. I felt a little weird standing there talking to him (on the sidelines) while he was in the hot tub but oh well. I just knew that swimming, in the sun, was NOT in the cards for me. I was feeling very paranoid that I’d get heatstroke again.

Here is a short video of N just enjoying the pool and especially the streak that enters the pool from that cool little geyser in the lobby. That couple next to him were so quiet. They never said a word the whole two hours we were at the pool and they were inches from us the whole time.. Maybe they were newlyweds and they only had eyes for each other....? :bride: :groom:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/th_100_0330.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/?action=view&current=100_0330.flv)

The pool was lovely but I was starting to get a bit warm as there isn’t really anyplace to hide from the sun in that courtyard from about 11 am to 2 pm. I highly recommend avoiding it unless you LOVE the sun and can’t get enough. Like most large resorts the deck chairs that had shade (not very many) had towels “saving” them from the moment the pool opened till we left. No one was ever actually IN those chairs but I just felt weird moving stuff even so. :beach:
N proclaims this pool to be the best one he’s been to. And definitely the best waterslide too!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0329.jpg

We grab our things and head out of the pool area for the last time. As we cross the small bridge to go back inside a woman and her elderly mother are taking photos of each other. I ask them if they’d like one together. They are so happy! They offer to take one of us. This is an AWFUL picture of me. I look terrible, but considering the fact that I’ve lived through such an awful night, I guess that’s ok. You guys will just have to know that I usually look A LITTLE bit better than this. N is adorable as usual though and the hotel looks good too. So, focus on them ok?
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0339.jpg

This was a great start to our last day. We grab lunch inside at the Roaring Forks, otherwise known as “the only restaurant we ate in”, and head upstairs for a shower for N and a lie down for me. I’m feeling ok but not ready to run a marathon. N gets the PBJ Uncrustables, grapes, apple juice, and a cookie. He is thrilled! I eat half his grapes, some crackers and a cup of tea. I took the funniest picture of N eating his lunch, in bed, with not a stitch of clothing on. He immediately demanded that I delete it. I lied and said I did. BUT, I did not. I will not post it, but I love this picture (he’s covered up people!) and think it totally sums up our trip. If you can’t eat grapes, in bed, naked, watching Disney Cartoons on your surprise Bday trip, When Can You?

Tune in next time for our next adventure on “THE LAST DAY.”


Oh, but first, a bonus video!!! That cute little girl from the pool!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/th_100_0326.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/?action=view&current=100_0326.flv)

[Muffinygood]

Here is a short video of N just enjoying the pool and especially the streak that enters the pool from that cool little geyser in the lobby.

OK, clearly I meant STREAM. Duh. Sorry.

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Sounds like you and N had a nice afternoon at the pool. Don't you just love that the ducks will just swim along with you. That was one of our favourite things from the hotel.

[dismom9761]

I am soo glad you were feeling better.:hug: That pool does look like fun.

"If you can’t eat grapes, in bed, naked, watching Disney Cartoons on your surprise Bday trip, When Can You?"
:thumbsup2 :cool1:

[scottny]

It sounds like a great day relaxing. Glad to see you were feeling better and could enjoy some more time with N.

As for the ducks swimming I think I would be OK but if u read my report and know Biff from it he would go into cardiac arrest. He is deathly afraid of birds. Would be funny to see. At POR we never saw any ducks in the pool.

Great update. The pool looks nice where the geyser comes down into it.

[cmp1111]

Sounds like a LOVELY pool day! :thumbsup2

[jennieb]

I just found your TR and I'm enjoying it so far. Sorry to hear how sick you were.

Awesome surprise for a birthday.

Jennieb

[jcc0621]

What a great day and YOU DO NOT LOOK AWFUL IN THAT PICTURE:goodvibes N looks so happy that he is there with his mom:hug:

[Trentmom]

Another great update!!

Glad you were feeling better and that pool looks great.

Looks like ds had a blast

This has been a great report and can;t wait to read the end:goodvibes :goodvibes

[DisneyJo]

So pleased you were feeling well enough to take N to the pool he looked as though he had a great time and laying naked eating grapes you need to keep that photo to show his girlfriend when he's older :rotfl2:

[Muffinygood]

Yeah. I have one wild night planned........

at home with my ds 3 year old, me trying to dis and he climbing all over me, to get on his self and play his games....

At least his fav games are disney, right??:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

I wish my kids still liked Disney games. N will play them but Z is a big kid now. Boohoo... He's actually at a friends right now because the friend got Halo 3 (HUGE GAME right now) but it's only available on Xbox360, which we don't own. I don't know how I sleep at night for refusing to let the kids have ANOTHER game system! Well, actually, pretty well. :lmao:

I should be home by 9:00 - we have our PATT (Parents & Teachers Together) Ice Cream Social this evening. :)

We did that last week. Today is our school fair. DH is bringing N to that. I bowed out gracefully. I've done the last 10 years! :love:
:sad2:
I will be here. i am dog sitting a clients dog and he is a yodeler so he is loud if no one is home. :confused3

Ok, so this dog lives next door to me. He's a collie. This dog screams. No other way to describe it. For the first few months that we lived here DH and I would hear this screaming and start looking out all the windows wondering what the H was going on. Finally, the girl who used to live here clued us in. IT'S THE DOG! Apparently, the idiot next door has shock collars on his dogs so they don't bark. Well, the collie's got "stuck on ZaP" and zapped him for hours on end while they were out and now he screams. But at least he doesn't bark. :scared1: Lovely huh? :confused3

9 is rapidly approaching...and I am anxiously waiting. Yes, I know. I'm a party animal. I'm 23 and on the DIS at 8:35. Don't be jealous of my crazy wild social life. :lmao:

Whoa. Easy there crazy lady. You better pace yourself. Dis-ing at 8:35. What on earth are you gonna do for fun when you're 33? :rotfl2:
Ah, but are you watching Power Rangers? :rotfl2: Sorry, that's a little OT. :) Can't wait for the update!

No, but we did while we were at Disney. My oldest DS was a Power Ranger fanatic! We have ALL the guys and megazords and bad guys. Yup. We're cool like that. :woohoo:

[Muffinygood]

Sounds like you and N had a nice afternoon at the pool. Don't you just love that the ducks will just swim along with you. That was one of our favourite things from the hotel.

Yes! I am only up to page 10 on your TR, Lessa, but I'm working on it! Your brothers are cracking me up! The ducks were so cute. They seemed completely unworried about the mass of kids yelling, "DUCKS!" and swimming towards them!

I am soo glad you were feeling better.:hug: That pool does look like fun.

"If you can’t eat grapes, in bed, naked, watching Disney Cartoons on your surprise Bday trip, When Can You?"
:thumbsup2 :cool1:

YUP. The pool was gorgeous. I think next trip we will PUT the pool time in the schedule instead of just going there when a spot opens up. It made our time so much more relaxing. You know, you just get in the "GO GO GO" Disney mode. Nice to slow down a bit! :love:

It sounds like a great day relaxing. Glad to see you were feeling better and could enjoy some more time with N.

As for the ducks swimming I think I would be OK but if u read my report and know Biff from it he would go into cardiac arrest. He is deathly afraid of birds. Would be funny to see. At POR we never saw any ducks in the pool.

Great update. The pool looks nice where the geyser comes down into it.


I am starting your TR as soon as I get caught up on Lessa's! Poor Biff. I am looking forward to reading yours! :love:

Sounds like a LOVELY pool day! :thumbsup2

It was a nice morning. I think very fitting for our last day. The rest is coming up sometime soon. I don't know when....crazy weekends here! Thanks for reading! :love:

I just found your TR and I'm enjoying it so far. Sorry to hear how sick you were.

Awesome surprise for a birthday.

Jennieb

:welcome: Thanks for joining us Jennieb!!!!!
All is well now and the rest of the TR is happy!

What a great day and YOU DO NOT LOOK AWFUL IN THAT PICTURE:goodvibes N looks so happy that he is there with his mom:hug:

THANKS! I don't look my best but N was so happy I don't even care. Thank you for reading along! :love:

Another great update!!

Glad you were feeling better and that pool looks great.

Looks like ds had a blast

This has been a great report and can;t wait to read the end:goodvibes :goodvibes

Thanks Trentmom! We did have fun! I'm so sad to write the end. But then I guess I'll start a PTR for the next one....ha! :love:

So pleased you were feeling well enough to take N to the pool he looked as though he had a great time and laying naked eating grapes you need to keep that photo to show his girlfriend when he's older :rotfl2:

YES! that is the plan! Poor N. He would kill me if he knew I kept it. :scared1: I will hold onto it until he really gets out of line when he's a teenager. :dance3:

[scottny]

did u get the link before. the link in siggie is not my tr. That is just jibberish.

My tr is in completed section of tr's.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520804

there is the link. love to pimp myself out. :rotfl2:

[Muffinygood]

did u get the link before. the link in siggie is not my tr. That is just jibberish.

My tr is in completed section of tr's.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520804

there is the link. love to pimp myself out. :rotfl2:

That saves me huge time! And i say anytime you can pimp it, pimp it! :rotfl2:

[scottny]

Ok, so this dog lives next door to me. He's a collie. This dog screams. No other way to describe it. For the first few months that we lived here DH and I would hear this screaming and start looking out all the windows wondering what the H was going on. Finally, the girl who used to live here clued us in. IT'S THE DOG! Apparently, the idiot next door has shock collars on his dogs so they don't bark. Well, the collie's got "stuck on ZaP" and zapped him for hours on end while they were out and now he screams. But at least he doesn't bark. :scared1: Lovely huh? :confused3 [/COLOR]

i do not know why some people bother getting dogs. :confused3 that is just cruel. I had someone here that had a shock collar and I refused to walk the dog with it on.

[jennieb]

Hi All,

I have to tell you my shock collar story. We have always had dogs and love them very much. A few years ago we had a dog that hated cats. This was a problem because we have a cat. Of course we were working on stopping the aggressive behavior to the cat, but it wasn't working. She caught the cat one time and nearly killed her. That was it - we bought a shock collar. We only had to use it a few times and she quickly learned that she was not supposed to look at the cat, let alone attack her. They lived in harmony for several more years with the cat even being so mean as to rub up against the dog - the dog would just shake and avoid looking at the cat. Since then the dog has died from cancer - but the shock collar sure did work for that situation. I can't believe that people keep a shock collar on their dog when they aren't there with them.

Anyway - that is my way off topic story. Sorry to digress so far.

Jennieb

[Muffinygood]

They are inhumane. No doubt about it. We better get back ON topic before I get a mean letter from the mods....:sad2:

SO, who wants to guess where we're going next on our last day???

Anyone?

Will we eat?

:rolleyes1

[Trentmom]

It is sad that this report will be ending, but when you start that pre trippie for your next trip, please post a link, so we can all faollow you:cool1:

[scottny]

They are inhumane. No doubt about it. We better get back ON topic before I get a mean letter from the mods....:sad2:

SO, who wants to guess where we're going next on our last day???

Anyone?

Will we eat?

:rolleyes1

I think you will. but you better have crackers if your not feeling well still.

[Muffinygood]

Hello. How is everyone tonight? I am going to post my update tomorrow around lunch time. Is that good for everybody?

The pre-trippie is going to start soon too. This will be an Xmas trip to FL to see the Inlaws....Yikes! Who wants to hear about that? It will probably have more drama than this one!
:rolleyes1

Ok folks, don't lurk. Say hi. And tune in tomorrow.

popcorn:: :surfweb:

[scottny]

Hello. How is everyone tonight? I am going to post my update tomorrow around lunch time. Is that good for everybody?

The pre-trippie is going to start soon too. This will be an Xmas trip to FL to see the Inlaws....Yikes! Who wants to hear about that? It will probably have more drama than this one!
:rolleyes1

Ok folks, don't lurk. Say hi. And tune in tomorrow.

popcorn:: :surfweb:

well i am doing fine. thank you.
that is fine with me. :lmao:
very nice about a xmas trip.
see ya tomorrow

[Trentmom]

Hello. How is everyone tonight? I am going to post my update tomorrow around lunch time. Is that good for everybody?

The pre-trippie is going to start soon too. This will be an Xmas trip to FL to see the Inlaws....Yikes! Who wants to hear about that? It will probably have more drama than this one!
:rolleyes1

Ok folks, don't lurk. Say hi. And tune in tomorrow.

popcorn:: :surfweb:

Hey Muffin!!!

I am good. How are you?

At lunch time sounds great!!! I will be on after dinner tomorrow nite, to check it out:cool1:

Drama with inlaws in Fl sounds great:lmao:

[KatGarcia]

HI! Just sayin. LOL.

Def link the Xmas TR here so we can all stalk you properly!

I spent all day cleaning out my closets and i'm not done yet...fun fun fun...now it's time for some good dis time!

See u 2morrow!

[dismom9761]

Hello. How is everyone tonight? I am going to post my update tomorrow around lunch time. Is that good for everybody?

The pre-trippie is going to start soon too. This will be an Xmas trip to FL to see the Inlaws....Yikes! Who wants to hear about that? It will probably have more drama than this one!
:rolleyes1

Ok folks, don't lurk. Say hi. And tune in tomorrow.

popcorn:: :surfweb:
Hi Mel.I am good but tired...
Lunchtime update is oaky with me,I will read it when I get home from work.Is that good for you??

I want to hear about it...someone elses in laws are always funny...

[CruisinEars]

:wave2: "Hi" back at ya.

So sorry you were feeling miserable during your trip. So glad you had some great people to look after you and that you were feeling better towards the end.

Look forward to reading more.

[DisneyJo]

It's lunchtime, well here anyway, where's your update ;) :rotfl:

[jcc0621]

It's lunchtime, well here anyway, where's your update ;) :rotfl:

Yeah, what she said:rolleyes1

[Muffinygood]

Just got home from volunteering at school in the library! Those kidlets were on HIGH POWER today! Whew!

Good thing I pretty much have that card catalog memorized! :thumbsup2

Typing update now...patience peoples! ;)

Mel:love:

[Muffinygood]

I forgot to add in my last update that before we went to the pool this morning, we went to the desk outside the hotel entrance to check in for our flights. This is a new service they offer for select airlines (we flew airtran so I know that was one, but don't remember the others). We just gave them our names and where we were flying to and they printed our boarding passes so we wouldn't have to go to the check in at the airport. VERY COOL! I think that next to ME, this might be the best thing going for the resort guests! OK, on to the REAL update....

Our return to the room for lunch and a shower to remove all the chlorine and sunblock for N was very relaxing. I decided to take a couple of photos from our balcony to show the folks back home what they were missing.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0259.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0341.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0342.jpg

The day we arrived I spent about 10 minutes figuring out how to get hooked up to the internet in our room so that every night I could download the photos from my digital camera. Then I uploaded them onto my Kodak site so that my DH and DS14 could see what we’d done on that day. Well, all except the MGM “bad day”. I didn’t upload anything that night. Obviously! So, that worked out pretty well. I highly recommend this route if you have a laptop that you’d want to haul around the airports all day! :sad2:

After we had lunch and got dressed I kicked back on the bed for a while and we watched cartoons. By this point it was nearly 1pm. I realized then that it was REALLY our last day! Oh my gosh! We had to get DS14 SOMETHING.....We hadn’t found anything for him at all yet. So, I just decided to bite the bullet (so to speak) and tell N that as much as I’d like to lie on the bed all day till ME picked us up, we should go do something. He agreed. I asked him what he thought about going to DTD? Since our park tix had been used up and we really didn’t have enough time to go play miniature golf. That might be just the ticket! I can shop, we can check out the pins and then grab a pretzel at Wetzel’s. He was on board with that plan! :thumbsup2

We packed our bags (I didn’t want to chance leaving all our stuff in case we were short on time coming back or if Lodgekeeping somehow didn’t know we were supposed to have the room late) and we got ready to go. This time I insisted on N bringing the water-misting-fan thingy. Oh, I didn’t tell that story! :rolleyes1

**Backtrack....The “bad day” at Epcot and MGM: I told N to bring the water misting fan thingy with him. He said he didn’t want to carry it. I said, we really really need that thing. It’s HOT out there and we will want it for sure because there is a TON of outside stuff in the World Showcase (not knowing of course that he would refuse to see any except UK) and we’ll be hot! He would NOT carry it. Well, I was already carrying the water bottle, the “CUP”, and my backpack (which was HEAVY). So, I said fine I’m not carrying it. I’m already carrying a ton of stuff and let him leave it behind. I LEARNED MY LESSON ABOUT THAT THOUGH.....so back to this update......

Anyway, I had filled it with water and put it in the “freezer” part of our fridge in the a.m. before we went to the pool area. So, it was nice and chilly when we left to go to DTD. Smart Me. He carried it and took his Momma seriously when she said, SPRAY ME! I had him hose me down every 5 minutes. It wasn’t really that hot at the bus stop waiting on the bus but I was paranoid after the “Bad day.” Our first trip before the bus stop was the bell desk to check our suitcases for ME. They handled that wonderfully and told us to be back for the bus by 4:15 pm. OK. No Problem. We decided to take the bus to DTD and walked out the long hallway next to the Mercantile. The sun was shining but the bus area has nice shady benches. The crowd grew a bit and by then we had a nice bunch of people waiting. N took turns spraying me down with the bottle fan and talking with a little girl.

Our bus arrived and I checked my watch to see what time it was. I wanted to time the bus from our hotel to DTD so that I would know when to get back onto it for returning by 4:15 pm. It was 1:20 pm. We got on and the driver proceeded to stop at about 4 other hotels on the way! Argh! It was 1:55 pm by the time we FINALLY arrived at the DTD bus stop. The bus lets you off on the EXTREME right hand side of the shopping district near the Xmas shop. Unfortunately, the one store that N requested we visit was the LEGO store and that is at the extreme LEFT side of the shopping area! Argh. Ok, we gather our belongings and I ask the driver what time HE recommends that I come back to board the bus for returning to the WL. He was sort of grumpy. He says, “Well, it’s 2pm now. Disney recommends you give yourself 1 and 1/2 hours to get back from DTD on a bus to ANY resort. And the next bus will be here at 2:40. SO, be here by then or you won’t make it.” Ok. So, we have 40 minutes of shopping???? And then we have to ride the bus for 90 minutes? Uh. OK. :yay:

We jump off and I convince N to run with me all the way across the HOT pavement to the LEGO store. He’s game. We race over there and arrive in under 6 minutes. Not too bad for a 10 yr. old with short legs and a dehydrated mom. The LEGO store is quieter than on our many previous visits. I take a deep breath and tell N to shop and enjoy himself. After all, it’s his last day of his Bday trip. We take some funny photos...

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0347.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0346.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0345.jpg

We make our own LEGO guys. This is pretty cool. You get a body, a head, a hat and a weapon. You get to make three guys for 10 dollars. N makes two for him and one (a rampaging business man in suit with a battleaxe for DH) and we check out. I really like the LEGO store if for no other reason than the cool things THEY build. WE ogle the Ferrari sets that are 60 dollars and up. N wants one really bad. I say, tell Santa and I’m sure you’ll get one.... :santa:

We exit the store and photograph this very attractive family with their pets.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0348.jpg

I decide that this is NOT going to be a 40 minute shopping trip. I ask the nearest CM who is sweeping up where I can find a map of DTD. He has one in his pocket that he gives me. This place just amazes me! I locate the cab stand on it (yay! right outside in parking lot across from Ghiarderelli Chocolate) and we make our way to the Large Disney store for a present for DS14. We want to get pins for WL (strangely absent from the WL gift shop and pin cart all weekend) and aren’t returning to the bus stop which is near the large pin trading store. Once inside the store we find a CM and ask her where we can find the pins. I find them in the third room over. WOW...this store is huge! NO WL PINS! What the heck? Ok, that’s fine. I decide to not get pins. Maybe I can find them on Ebay....?:confused3

We tour the store once, twice, three times for a gift for DS. Nothing at all is leaping out at me. I don’t think he’ll care for the Tshirts. He isn’t a hat kid. I am flummoxed! Ah, maybe pj bottoms! No. No boy’s or men’s pj bottoms. We settle on some boxer shorts with Mickey on them. I buy my mom a Mickey shirt like the one I have. She has been at my house the whole time we’ve been in FL waiting on us to come back, remember? OK. Shopping in hand we make our way back across the store to the “princess section” to ask a CM where the ATM is. The “pin area CM” said it was over here but we can’t find it. She leads us to it and I scoop up some hard cash for the cab, tip and our trip home. N says that when we get to the WL he’s going to go to the Mercantile and get something snacky for the trip home. OK, that’s a good idea. Since, we never did have time to get the pretzel. :idea:

Skipping out to the curb we spot the cab drivers all speaking to each other and one approaches us. He is nice, says where are you going ma’am? I say, WL and we are in sort of a hurry! (It’s actually about 3:20 pm now and I’m slightly panicked that we still need to GET to the WL, get our bags from the Bell desk, and get on the bus (ME) by 4:15 pm) He’s funny! He says, “I will speed all the way there!” Ha! Turns out he is Haitian and we talk about Haiti (he doesn’t miss it, though he says it was beautiful where he lived), New York (he lived there before FL) and driving cabs. He says that he really likes working the Disney properties. He gets a bit turned around over whether we are going to the WL or FWC. I tell him twice, nicely, then YELP when he almost makes the wrong turn. He takes it in stride. He tells N that he has a nice, smart Momma. N agrees. And when we stop in front of the door at WL he says, “May God Bless you Madame.” I tip him very well but not because he blesses me. But, because I think driving a cab is thankless work most of the time. And he was so nice. N and I scoot over to the Bell Desk. We ask for our luggage and she says it will be about 15 minutes. I ask if we have time to potty, go to the store and then come back. She says, I think you’ve got plenty! So, off we go to find pins (maybe), potty, snacks, and take some last photos of the WL. I am so sad we’re leaving. Boohoo.

In my next installment we will have photos of our last run around the hotel. And the story of our flight home. So sad.

[jcc0621]

I can't believe they didn't have any WL pins:confused3

SOunds like you had a great day and are feeling better:thumbsup2

[DisneyJo]

I'm so pleased you're feeling better and good idea to make DS spray you I bet he loved doing it :rotfl2:

[scottny]

DTD is always nice to go to, but not being rushed is better.

spray downs are nice too. :rotfl2:

sad it is almost over.

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That's great that you were feeling well enough to go shopping at DTD. The bus situation is insane.:sad2:

[Trentmom]

Wow....40 mins....that wuld have been insane.

Good Plan getting the cab:thumbsup2

That stinks they didn't have WL pins, but I am sure Ebay has them:thumbsup2

Sad, it is coming to an end, but it has been a great report:cool1:

Can't wait to read your xmas pre trippie:thumbsup2

[cmp1111]

Sounds lovely! Smart of you to do the cab - the wait from DTD to our resort was by FAR the worst bus wait we had. :thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

I can't believe they didn't have any WL pins:confused3

SOunds like you had a great day and are feeling better:thumbsup2

It was so nice to finally feel a little better! It was really weird that they didn't have any WL pins. We kept saying that too. When we stayed at the GF at Christmas they had TONS.:confused3

I'm so pleased you're feeling better and good idea to make DS spray you I bet he loved doing it :rotfl2:

He did! It was funny how many "strangers" asked him to spray them too! Thanks for keeping with us!:love:

DTD is always nice to go to, but not being rushed is better.

spray downs are nice too. :rotfl2:

sad it is almost over.

Thanks Scott! Me too. :sad1: DTD is awesome! I just wish that I had a TON more time. Oh well, there's always NEXT visit. ;)

That's great that you were feeling well enough to go shopping at DTD. The bus situation is insane.:sad2:
Yes it is! I have heard from the Dis that the bus is a problem when you go to DTD but that is ridiculous! Can't they do something about it? I don't know what they should do but there has to be a better way. Thanks for reading along, Lessa! :love:

Wow....40 mins....that wuld have been insane.

Good Plan getting the cab:thumbsup2

That stinks they didn't have WL pins, but I am sure Ebay has them:thumbsup2

Sad, it is coming to an end, but it has been a great report:cool1:

Can't wait to read your xmas pre trippie:thumbsup2

Yes, it is rapidly approaching the pre-trippie countdown. I better start that link soon. The WL pin situation baffled me the entire trip. It was so strange. I am so glad you've enjoy reading. I've enjoyed having you! :love:

Sounds lovely! Smart of you to do the cab - the wait from DTD to our resort was by FAR the worst bus wait we had. :thumbsup2

I have heard that it's way worse for the Pop resorts. Has anyone else heard this? Where did you stay, CE? All I know is that it was by far worth the 14 dollars plus tip to get back in 10 minutes!!!! You know, if you travel to other places (why would we do that? ha!) you will probably be in a cab at some point. We use them exclusively when we go to Vegas. I just never really thought about it at Disney....weird. :confused3
Thanks for reading along. I'm glad you were here! :love:

[Disneyolic]

What a lot of running around you had to do on your last day. It is a good thing you were feeling better. I think I'm glad that we are not pin collectors right now. I would probably drive myself crazy having to get certain ones and spending all our money.

Looking forward to your last minute dash photos ....

[Miz Diz]

I don't think I could have kept this a secret so long.

Your DH is wonderful in offering to fly over on last minute.

The CM was wonderful in getting DS on ToT and that family was wonderful!:wizard:

[cmp1111]

I have heard that it's way worse for the Pop resorts. Has anyone else heard this? Where did you stay, CE?

We were at AKL. DTD was the only place where AKL shared a bus with another resort. I couldn't even tell you today what the other resort was, but after waiting 45 minutes (and not being the people who'd been there the longest) when a bus finally showed up, there were WAY more people than could get on, and the driver was incredulous that we were all for AKL and whatever else it was. I don't think it was POP, though we shared with POP for ME - CSR, maybe? He radioed in the situation, but still... This was at the PI area, too, so the bus was already half full from the first of the DTD stops, back where you got off upon arrival. They need to work DTD buses a little better, IMHO. ;)

[jcc0621]

[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Red"]Yes it is! I have heard from the Dis that the bus is a problem when you go to DTD but that is ridiculous! Can't they do something about it? I don't know what they should do but there has to be a better way. Thanks for reading along, Lessa! :love:

I have heard that it's way worse for the Pop resorts. Has anyone else heard this? Where did you stay, CE? All I know is that it was by far worth the 14 dollars plus tip to get back in 10 minutes!!!! You know, if you travel to other places (why would we do that? ha!) you will probably be in a cab at some point. We use them exclusively when we go to Vegas. I just never really thought about it at Disney....weird. :confused3
Thanks for reading along. I'm glad you were here! :love:

We didn't have any problem with the buses to/from Pop/DTD. Maybe we just went at off times:confused3

[scottny]

Don't scare me people about busses from POP to anywhere I just booked today for January and it is at POP.

[Trentmom]

It w


[



[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Red"]Yes, it is rapidly approaching the pre-trippie countdown. I better start that link soon. The WL pin situation baffled me the entire trip. It was so strange. I am so glad you've enjoy reading. I've enjoyed having you! :love:





Yep, you should get that pre trippie started for sure, since this is almost over:sad1:

[dismom9761]

Great update,Mel.It is hard to find an older kids a souvie in Disney.:scared: I had the same problem.Good thinking with the cab idea.:thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

What a lot of running around you had to do on your last day. It is a good thing you were feeling better. I think I'm glad that we are not pin collectors right now. I would probably drive myself crazy having to get certain ones and spending all our money.

Looking forward to your last minute dash photos ....

Our pin collecting has tapered off quite a bit from the first year we started. That would have been 2002. It was sort of nuts for a while. My mom was on that trip with us and her OCD got the best of her. She was buying pins left and right for the boys! Which just made them want to trade MORE. Crazy. Really Crazy. Now, we wear our pins for one day and if we see someone who has a good pin we'll approach. Mostly we made the "one day rule" for ME because when the kiddos got sick of wearing their pins they gave them to me to hold. Pack Mule! :mad:

I don't think I could have kept this a secret so long.

Your DH is wonderful in offering to fly over on last minute.

The CM was wonderful in getting DS on ToT and that family was wonderful!:wizard:

The DH was scared outta his pants! He is sweet, so I agree, but I think he was mostly fear motivated! The CMs were so wonderful I don't know how we would have made it without them. :love: And that is the only secret I've ever kept for more than a day. I am awful at secrets. :rolleyes1 Thanks for reading!!! :love:

We were at AKL. DTD was the only place where AKL shared a bus with another resort. I couldn't even tell you today what the other resort was, but after waiting 45 minutes (and not being the people who'd been there the longest) when a bus finally showed up, there were WAY more people than could get on, and the driver was incredulous that we were all for AKL and whatever else it was. I don't think it was POP, though we shared with POP for ME - CSR, maybe? He radioed in the situation, but still... This was at the PI area, too, so the bus was already half full from the first of the DTD stops, back where you got off upon arrival. They need to work DTD buses a little better, IMHO. ;)

We stayed at the AKL on the 2002 trip. In my recollection EVERY bus was an insanely long wait at that resort! We were seriously bummed every time we had to get on one. That is why we haven't been back to that resort. I don't mind waiting for a little bit but we waited for over an hour two or three times. And it was LOW season! :confused3 Though, having said all of that, N and I were shocked at how long it took to boat over to the MK or to the other resorts from the WL. Guess you can't win unless you're on the monorail. :love:

We didn't have any problem with the buses to/from Pop/DTD. Maybe we just went at off times:confused3

That isn't surprising. I've heard both stories. Thanks for reading! :love:

Don't scare me people about busses from POP to anywhere I just booked today for January and it is at POP.

Wishing good bus karma on you Scott! :wizard:

Yep, you should get that pre trippie started for sure, since this is almost over:sad1:

How far in advance can you start those PTRs? I don't want to jump the gun. I don't have any solid plans yet. Just dreams.....:sad2:

Great update,Mel.It is hard to find an older kids a souvie in Disney.:scared: I had the same problem.Good thinking with the cab idea.:thumbsup2

Thanks, Amy! I'm still reading your TR too! I think next time I have to get him something, I'll just spin around and point. ha! :love: Thanks for reading and for the compliment. I think the cab idea was smart too! :woohoo: I don't usually think on the fly like that. Go me!

[Muffinygood]

OH! And there will be an update today. I'm staying in my pjs and doing NOTHING today. Well, except the update, that is. :rotfl2:

[dismom9761]

OH! And there will be an update today. I'm staying in my pjs and doing NOTHING today. Well, except the update, that is. :rotfl2:

You didn't have to say that....have a great day...heading to work....

[Muffinygood]

You didn't have to say that....have a great day...heading to work....

I will be thinking happy Disney thoughts for you all day though! :hug:

[Trentmom]

O



[



[SIZE="3"][COLOR="red"]We stayed at the AKL on the 2002 trip. In my recollection EVERY bus was an insanely long wait at that resort! We were s



[



[SIZE="3"][COLOR="red"]How far in advance can you start those PTRs? I don't want to jump the gun. I don't have any solid plans yet. Just dreams.....:sad2:



Thanks, Amy! I'm still reading your TR too! I think next time I have to get him something, I'll just spin around and point. ha! :love: Thanks for reading and for the compliment. I think the cab idea was smart too! :woohoo: I don't usually think on the fly like that. Go me!

Well, as far out as you like. My trip is booked for OCt 2008 and I started my pre trippie about a month ago:thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

It's all typed guys! I just can't seem to get the darn video to upload to Photobucket. bear with me.....

[DisneyJo]

Are you still in your PJ's It's almost time for me to put mine back on :rotfl:

[Disneyolic]

It's all typed guys! I just can't seem to get the darn video to upload to Photobucket. bear with me.....Photobucket has been a little stinky lately. It may say you uploaded a video but not show it. However, it is there. Simply go to another folder or leave the site and go back. It will "magically" appear! Good luck!

[Muffinygood]

The last update of the last day...oh, bummer. Well, maybe I can make this TWO updates. Yes, that’s it. Then we can at least have a couple of extra days. popcorn::

The Bell desk is retrieving our bags for us. It’s about 3:30 pm. Our Magical Express bus will arrive in front of the resort at 4:30 pm. They tell us to be there at 4:15 pm. Ok, that’s plenty of time to visit the restroom. Ah, I’ll miss the clean potties at WL. All over Disney actually! I don’t think I’d even contemplate changing into my swimsuit in a “regular” bathroom. NOPE. But, the restrooms outside of Whispering Canyon in the lobby of the WL are SO clean. You won’t hesitate. We make our potty stop and decide to take a last walk around the hotel.

We walk out the back exit near Roaring Forks and snap one more picture of the hotel from the “pool perspective.”

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0332-1.jpg

If you look at this photo, you will see the main building with the large windows. To the right of that (and the chimney) is a “tower” of sorts. There are three balconies, one on top of another in a row. We were the middle one. That would be room 5064. In case anyone likes the room view we had. It was quite nice. And we had an amazing view of the geyser. It was VERY quiet, not a peep outta anyone. And though our room corridor opened onto the lobby (sort of in a diagonal way) we never heard the lobby “noise” I’ve heard described on other threads. Nor did we hear Whispering Canyon. Just so you know....

We finished our outside tour and went back inside. I decided to snap photos of the large totem poles inside the lobby. They are pretty neat.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0351.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0352.jpg

Our next stop was the Mercantile. We need to get snacks for the airport and bus ride. I have to interject here and say that this little store is really well stocked. I noticed this on our other visits to this store. I’m sure it is because they have the villas onsite and those people don’t want to have to go to a grocery store every time they need milk or butter. Whatever the reason, it’s nice to be able to grab poptarts or nilla wafers when you want them. They also stock soy milk in a smallish container. This was WONDERFUL for us because those little boxes of cereal aren’t much help to us without soy. Both DS and myself are milk intolerant. We ask the CMs if they have WL pins. No, and he says they haven’t had them for weeks. I guess they sold out during the summer crowds and haven’t received any to restock them. Well, at least we know what happened to them! He suggests that we ask the pin cart near the lobby just in case they’ve gotten some in. He said they restock every day or two and the Mercantile doesn’t restock it’s pins that often. We select our snacks (N picks Goofy Gummy Bears -I know they aren’t bears, but whatever.....And I select Nilla Wafers since I’m not 100% better yet. We next decide to walk over to the pin cart on our way to Roaring Forks.

The pin cart has a decent selection. AND....................SCORE! :woohoo: WL pins!!!! Yay! Two of them! One features the totem pole out front of the Mercantile. And I forget the other. I think it may have been Chip and Dale. I purchase two of the totem pole ones and one other pin (YOAMD) for DS14. N and I are soooo excited that we found our pins finally! I scour the “tinkerbell section” for new ones. That’s what I collect! Nothing leaps out at me. So, we go down the long ramp to Roaring Forks to refill “the cup” one last time. We decide on Green Tea w/ Jasmine. Yummy!

Snacks in hand we return to the lobby and still have a few minutes to kill before our ride comes. We go to the corner near the check in desk where they have couches and a tv playing Mickey cartoons. Except that it’s GONE! They’ve moved all the furniture out of this area so that they can refinish the wood floors. There is a LARGE area blocked off where they are running those loud floor buffers and I only know this because when I looked off our balcony earlier this day I saw into the “blocked part.” So, no cartoons. I snap this photo of N looking totally pooped. :angel:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0353.jpg

We decide to take a break in the chairs over near the large fireplace. Then I get inspired to take a video of the lobby for my DH. I know the video is AWFUL but I didn’t consider posting this on the DIS when I shot it. I added the music because I sound weird. Really. I never knew that’s what I sounded like. And then Photobucket was being a real stinker (As DM said) and forced me to upload it in TWO parts. ARGH. First up is the view is from the back part of the lobby. The small geyser we videoed earlier in the TR is there, then the elevators. Next you see the hallway that leads outdoors to the busses and the Villas. The Mercantile is next to this hallway. You can see where they’ve closed off to finish the floors. The large windows over the entrance to the lobby. The Whispering Canyon restaurant is to the right of those doors (from my perspective, it would be left if you were entering. ) That’s where part one ends. Part two starts as I pan past the WC, you can see the HUGE fireplace. It’s really, really large. It’s made up up all the layers of the actual Grand Canyon. N and I enjoyed reading the information boxes located near it that detail each layer and what time period it was from. Up above that fireplace is our room. If you look above the American Flag, that was our floor and our room was pretty much right there. The last view is out the back. If you went to the left, you hit the pin cart. Then the Artist Point Restaurant. Then you would go down a ramp to the pool exit and the Roaring Forks. I hope you enjoyed my little tour! For you regulars at WL, sorry.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/th_lobbyvideo1.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/?action=view&current=lobbyvideo1.flv)
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/th_lobbyvideo2.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/?action=view&current=lobbyvideo2.flv)

Again, sorry about the low quality video. Just thought someone might get something from it....

The bus arrives right on time. We are waiting on the bench when it pulls up. RIGHT ON TIME! The driver comes to the bench and announces that the 4:30 ME is there, and we can hand our bags to him. He walks us over to where it’s parked. It is myself, N and two girls who look like sisters. We all look very sad. Alejandro (our driver) comes aboard and says that we should sit back and relax. The drive away from “home” is sad. I shoot this photo of the topiaries while we wait for the luggage to be loaded.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0354.jpg

Aren’t they sweet? Our last view of the Wilderness Lodge is this.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0355.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0356.jpg

We’re on the bus to the airport. N and I chat about all the cool stuff that we did. He says that was the funnest birthday he’s ever had. That makes me smile all the way to Orlando!:thumbsup2
It’s sort of weird, they don’t play the video on the overhead tvs for you on the way back to the airport. :confused3 Or, maybe it was an oversight, because they weren’t even on. Just an observation. I’ll do the last update on our airport time, trip home and the first day of school (for N, he missed the REAL first day!)

Thanks for reading guys!

[Muffinygood]

Are you still in your PJ's It's almost time for me to put mine back on :rotfl:

I nearly was, Jo! I got out of them at 2 and got back in at 9. We went to see Harry Potter 5 again. N hadn't seen it because he was determined to finish the book before he saw it. WELL, let me tell you, it was the only theatre showing in within 100 miles of us! Good thing we got to it. I know (I think...?) that today is your surgery. I've had two (glaucoma) and my prayers and good wishes are with you Jo! :)

Photobucket has been a little stinky lately. It may say you uploaded a video but not show it. However, it is there. Simply go to another folder or leave the site and go back. It will "magically" appear! Good luck!

Yep. Noticed that. Darn Stinky Photobucket. I had to post it in TWO pieces. ARGH. Not happy about that but what can you do?
Thanks for the tips, they helped. :)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Those videos made me wish I was back at the WL right now! I love that place.:love:

[dismom9761]

Sad to see this ending.:guilty: Congrats on getting the pins and the pictures/video are great.:thumbsup2 Have a good day!:goodvibes

[scottny]

:yay: you found the pins you were looking for.

thanks for posting the videos I have never been there and it looks really nice.

:sad2: you r heading to the airport and no videos on the bus.

I would be excited also having a birthday like that. :banana: :banana:

[Disneyolic]

Thanks for the videos. They were not bad at all! It brought back some memories of the one night that we stayed there. I think it is so wonderful that N said it was his best birthday ever!

And, no, they did not play any video on the way back to the airport on ME for us either. I think it would have made everyone sad and it's just a "rub it in your face" that you're not there anymore ... :confused3

[Trentmom]

I am so glad you got your WL Pins:cool1:

Great pics!! Cool Video:thumbsup2 I love the music, too. Beside myself and my hubbt and his cousin, everone we know can't stand Frank Sinatra.. I love him, though:love:

This has been a great report and thanks so much for sharing it with us:grouphug:

[Muffinygood]

Those videos made me wish I was back at the WL right now! I love that place.:love:

Me too Lessa! I loved the WL! It's my new favorite!

Sad to see this ending.:guilty: Congrats on getting the pins and the pictures/video are great.:thumbsup2 Have a good day!:goodvibes

Thanks Amy! I'm sad it's over too. But, thankfully, yours is still going. Well, and Lessa's and DM's. In fact, DMs might last till she goes NEXT time. Ha! :rotfl: That way we won't have withdrawl....:woohoo:

:yay: you found the pins you were looking for.

thanks for posting the videos I have never been there and it looks really nice.

:sad2: you r heading to the airport and no videos on the bus.

I would be excited also having a birthday like that. :banana: :banana:

You just go there and have dinner Scott! You must! I wish I could recommend a place to eat, but barring Roaring Forks Snacks, we didn't get to try any of them. :sad2: DM is probably right about the reason they don't show the videos. It would make me sad...:confused3

Thanks for the videos. They were not bad at all! It brought back some memories of the one night that we stayed there. I think it is so wonderful that N said it was his best birthday ever!

It made my Mommy heart just swell up! He's so sweet. I told him that it was the best birthday I ever went to TOO! :love:

And, no, they did not play any video on the way back to the airport on ME for us either. I think it would have made everyone sad and it's just a "rub it in your face" that you're not there anymore ... :confused3

YES! I agree! In fact, I told Scott. :thumbsup2

I am so glad you got your WL Pins:cool1:

Great pics!! Cool Video:thumbsup2 I love the music, too. Beside myself and my hubbt and his cousin, everone we know can't stand Frank Sinatra.. I love him, though:love:

This has been a great report and thanks so much for sharing it with us:grouphug:

thanks Trentmom! :love: Even my boys (10 and 14) love Sinatra! They got totally hooked on him after we went to Vegas the first time and the song with the Bellagio Fountains was Luck be a Lady Tonight.

Glad you like my TR! That makes me feel so good. :cloud9:

HEY EVERYONE:
UPDATE SUNDAY! I will get it typed up and posted on Sunday. Got only one photo for it but it says it all. Thanks for reading along with me. I really loved telling this story. The trip was great (even though I was sick) and I will never ever forget the wonderful time we had just N and I. It was a present for me and it wasn't even my birthday. I plan on setting up the link for my Pre-trip for Xmas for you guys with the last update.

Thanks again everyone! :love:

[Disneyolic]

Thanks Amy! I'm sad it's over too. But, thankfully, yours is still going. Well, and Lessa's and DM's. In fact, DMs might last till she goes NEXT time. Ha! :rotfl: That way we won't have withdrawl....:woohoo:
I wish this were true about mine lasting that long... :sad2:

[scottny]

how sad in 2 days it will be over. At least you are going back again soon so we will have that report and then I am a month after you.

[Trentmom]

[






thanks Trentmom! :love: Even my boys (10 and 14) love Sinatra! They got totally hooked on him after we went to Vegas the first time and the song with the Bellagio Fountains was Luck be a Lady Tonight.

Glad you like my TR! That makes me feel so good. :cloud9:

[COLOR="red"]HEY EVERYONE:
UPDATE SUNDAY! I will get it typed up and posted on Sunday. Got only one photo for it but it says it all. Thanks for reading along with me. I really loved telling this story. The trip was great (even though I was sick) and I will never ever forget the wonderful time we had just N and I. It was a present for me and it wasn't even my birthday. I plan on setting up the link for my Pre-trip for Xmas for you guys with the last update.

Thanks again everyone! :love:

I would love to go to Vegas someday. Was there a lot to do for young kids??

I am so excited that the final update is going to be up on Sunday......It has been a good read....:goodvibes

I am also eve more excited, that you wil be starting your pre-trippie, so we will have someting else to read from you:cool1:

[DisneyJo]

I somehow missed this last installment, glad you got out of your PJ's finally :rotfl2:

Sounds like you had a great room and hooray you found WL pins :yay: N is so sweet about it being his best Birthday ever :cloud9: We had a video on our return ME, it was all about ABD :thumbsup2

[Muffinygood]

This is my last update! I’m sorry it’s over. :sad1: But, now I can get back to reading YOUR TRs and living vicariously through you.

The bus ride to the airport was rather uneventful. As I mentioned in the last update, they did not play a video on the ME bus. I assume it was broken as some of you have mentioned that they DID show a video on your return trips. The bus driver was wonderful. He made sure to ask us what airline we were flying so that he could drop us at the right part of the terminal. We exited the bus and retrieved our bags. N and I did not check luggage coming down to FL and we were going back the same way. That’s a good and a bad thing. Usually, it’s good because you don’t have to wait forever at baggage claim to retrieve them. Of course, we wouldn’t have had to do this on the way DOWN because ME would have handled all of that. But, returning home was a different story. The baggage claim in our small airport is ridiculously slow. I’ve waited almost an hour sometimes for my bags to show up. Our flight was scheduled to arrive at 10 pm, and since N had to attend his first day of school the next day, i thought it best not to have to wait for bags too.

We quickly made our way to the terminal wing that we were supposed to be in. That done, we found our security entrance and waited patiently for our turn. Hauling my laptop out of it’s case, removing our TWO, TSA approved, quart sized ziplocs with toiletries, removing shoes, making sure N did that too, and getting all our luggage onto the conveyor belt SOLO was quite interesting. I never fully appreciated all the help my older DS and DH are on our vacations! We made it through security without having to do any songs and/or dances. YAY! They were actually quite pleasant. (I don’t know whose TR I was reading but someone mentioned that they thought MCO’s security to be the rudest they’d encountered....I did not find this to be so. And we go to FL pretty frequently)

The flight home was at 7:45 pm. We arrived at the Orlando airport somewhere around 5:25 pm. That gave us plenty of time to make it through security and wait at the gate. As we were walking to the gate, we decided to find something to eat. N was not thrilled at his choices. I think we had a burger king, a sandwich shop, ice cream (a no-go for us milk intolerant peeps), starbucks and pizza. He decided that he’d like an Odwalla orange juice (yummy, fresh squeezed tasting...) and a lemon poppy seed muffin. I got a VENTI green tea with Jasmine and a scone. That was all he wanted. He did have a rather large lunch so that was fine with me. We also had our “treats” from the Mercantile at the hotel.

We found seats at the terminal and had our snack/dinner. I’m pretty sure that it was around 6:30 pm by this time. They didn’t have our flight up on the board at the gate yet, as there was another one leaving for Ohio there still. Just to make sure, I pulled out our boarding passes that the desk at the WL printed for me that morning. I just wanted to be sure that we were at the right gate. When, lo and behold, what do I notice?

>

>

>

We aren’t seated together! ARGH! Obviously, I am NOT going to ride APART from him all the way home....:sad2:

I walk up to the gate agent (who’s helping to load the OH flight...) and mention this to him. He says that our gate agent will be there in 15 minutes and that I can take it up with him or her then. I say, “Ok, I’ll do that.” N and I finish our snacks and clean up our mess. N is halfway through his new book, a present from his big brother before we left. Thankfully, I had remembered to pack it during “Ninja Packing.” The time comes then for us to go back to the new agent. He is very funny and says, “Are you sure you don’t want separate seats? Aren’t you sick of him yet?” Ha! NO, I say. I am not. He fixes the seat mix-up nicely and I go back to N.:thumbsup2

The rest of our time at the gate is pretty boring. Except for this ONE lady who insisted on YELLING into her cell phone the WHOLE hour until they board our flight. :mad: She was about 3 rows away from us and SO loud. I heard every single word she said on her phone. There was a big guy with a crew cut sitting behind us reading a Maxim magazine. That’s only important because N was facing his way and I kept trying to relay “telepathically” to him to turn the ding dang page. He was reading an article about “you know” and it was in HUGE letters and I didn’t want to have “that talk” with N at gate 23B in the MCO airport. :scared:
So, anyway, the lady is SHOUTING into her phone. “YEAH, I’M IN FLORIDA. YEAH, RIGHT NOW! NO, I DON’T THINK THAT YOU SHOULD DUMP HIM. HE’S AN *&^%$%^& BUT YOU SHOULDN’T DUMP HIM. MAYBE HE’LL GROW OUT OF IT. WELL, NOT ALWAYS BUT MAYBE HE WILL. YEAH, I’M GONNA GO TO THAT BAR WHEN I GET HOME. I NEED A NEW MAN TOO.” :scared1:

Lovely. So, I finally lose my temper with her and say to N, “clearly she’s from Michigan.” N says, “Yeah, she sounds like it.” I reply, “Yup.” And Maxim guy turns around (thus confronting a perfect stranger) and says, “Why do you say that? “ I say, “Because the rudest people on earth are from Michigan.”
*****DISCLAIMER*****
I realized that this may offend some people who are from Michigan and/or have relatives here. I am sorry. Clearly this is only MY opinion. I don’t expect you to agree. Simply an observation that I’ve made after living here for 14 years. Please don’t take it to heart. After all, I don’t know you. And the lady I am referencing IS being rude.

Well, he didn’t say much he just grunted and turned around. Again, he is probably a Michigan native and was offended by my comment. Sorry but the evidence is over-whelming at this point and so, what can he say? Rude lady shuts up when they announce, “flight blah blah blah to Flint, MI is boarding at gate 23B.”

This is the part where the carrying your own luggage is NOT good. I have to get our luggage, and us onto the plane, hoist it all up into the overheads by myself and then get strapped in. Unfortunately, Airtran now boards according to Zones. We end up with Zone 5 and 6 (Though we are seated next to each other) That means that the other 4 zones have already boarded and put THEIR luggage into the overheads. This makes it really hard to find room for ours. Luckily we spy enough room for them near where we are seated and get it up there without hurting anyone, including ourselves.:woohoo:

There is a man seated in the window seat and then N and then myself on the aisle. He says hello and asks us where we are going to. We say home. He proceeds to tell us his entire life story (the last several years at least) including the death of his wife, alienation of his children and the woman he met at a bar in an airport whom he is now going to visit. He says he isn’t really looking for a physical relationship as he’s still mourning his wife but he likes the company. GREAT! :confused: Thanks so much for sharing that with my 10 YEAR OLD! I finally tell N to put his headphones on so that he can’t hear this weirdo ranting. I feel bad for old people when they are clearly lonely but he seems to be bent on saying inappropriate things near N so I have to do what I have to do. I finally put my headphones on too, though I don’t have them actually on, just so he stops talking. In my head, I nickname him Slingblade (if you’ve seen the movie you’ll understand) and try to close my eyes for a while. After an hour or so, I decide that I’ll never be able to doze off with N in the seat next to him. I don’t know why but my Mommy sense is tingling now. So, N goes to the restroom and I scoot in and let him have the aisle. Call me paranoid, but this guy is setting off my radar.:guilty:

We survive the flight and deplane to my cell phone chirping that I have a message. I listen to it and it’s DH! “Welcome to the Flint airport, where the time is 10 pm. “ He says he’ll meet us at the curb. The walk down to the car is quick and on the way I thank N for letting me celebrate his birthday with him all alone. He says, “sure.” He’s really tired.

The ride home was uneventful and we unpacked and got N off to bed. He’s not thrilled that he has to go to school tomorrow but he’ll live. I made myself a chicken sandwich and some chips before bed. Funny that it’s really only the 2nd or 3rd meal since I left four days ago! We watched tv for a while and I told my DH about the guy on the plane. He says that happens to him alot on business flights. Weird people out there. I have never been so happy to see my bed! I think I slept like the dead. :angel:

The next morning I got to see my DS14, and my mom and got N off to school. He had a great first day. I did laundry all day! And spent the next couple of days before my mom left for home going shopping with her. It was a very nice visit, though pretty short for me.

I know there weren’t any photos for this TR update but I have one that I’ve been saving for the WHOLE TR practically. It’s from the first day at the pool. N was so happy! He said it was the funnest pool in the whole world. I just thought this photo summed up our trip sooooo well that I’d save it for last.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/Muffinygood/100_0328.jpg

So, thank you for reading our DRAMA filled TR. I will be starting the Pre-TR today even though I don’t have many details yet. So, look for the link in my signature. I will be going back to reading your TRs now! See you at the Pretrippie!

Mel

[DisneyJo]

Glad you got home safely even if you did end up nearly deaf from all the chatter :rotfl2:

Off to read your PTR please try not to be ill this time :rotfl2:

[KatGarcia]

Ewwww creepy guy on the plane! That is why I force DH to sit in the center seat at all times LOL, he deals better with things like that than i do.

I love the last pic!!!!!!

I'm on my way over to your new TR! YAY!

[Disneyolic]

That was a wonderful end to a TR. Enough detail, yet not boring. Flying home is always the worst part of a vacation. It's the end. At least you are planning your next vacation. Good for you! And that picture of N at the end is great.

Thanks for sharing your vacation, the good, the bad, the better, and the best (thought I was going to say ugly huh?).

[Trentmom]

What a great update!!

That was funny about your comments about Michigan and then the guy asking you why:rotfl2:

Sometimes when you reach your breaking point, you say things you normally wouldn't say outloud, I know I do:rotfl2:

That guy on the plane did sound a little strange...good call chaning seats:goodvibes


Great pics for the end, It is perfect:thumbsup2


Thanks for sharing your story with all of us...

:goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes

[scottny]

it was really fun to read your tr. i enjoyed it from beginning to end. sad that it is over.

The pic at the end is great.

looking forward to hearing about your next trip.

[Muffinygood]

Glad you got home safely even if you did end up nearly deaf from all the chatter :rotfl2:

Off to read your PTR please try not to be ill this time :rotfl2:

Yes, he was quite the chatty Kathy! I will do everything in my power to NOT be sick. :) Just online checking airfare. It's gone up 300 dollars in a week! YIKES! :scared1: I am hoping to get the airfare booked this week sometime. Thanks for following me! :love:

Ewwww creepy guy on the plane! That is why I force DH to sit in the center seat at all times LOL, he deals better with things like that than i do.

I love the last pic!!!!!!

I'm on my way over to your new TR! YAY!

Hey Kat! Thanks for following! ;) Yes, I usually make my DH sit there too! that's funny! :lmao: I love the pic of N too! He's too cute. :love:

That was a wonderful end to a TR. Enough detail, yet not boring. Flying home is always the worst part of a vacation. It's the end. At least you are planning your next vacation. Good for you! And that picture of N at the end is great.

Thanks for sharing your vacation, the good, the bad, the better, and the best (thought I was going to say ugly huh?).

I totally agree. I hate flying home. :sad1:

There was UGLY. Oh man, was there UGLY. Thanks for coiming over to the pre-trip. You are SUPER! :love:

[Muffinygood]

Sorry DM. I totally ASSUMED that you were coming over to the Pre-tr. No pressure. Bimbo moment over here. You never ACTUALLY said that you were coming over.

You just feel free to come over to the Pre-TR if you want. OK?


No problem if you don't.

Really.

:love:

[Kaia119]

[SIZE="4"][COLOR="Purple"]We are riding on the bus from Epcot to MGM.


Bless your heart - those bus rides make me wanna throw up when I feel great - I can't even think about on an upset tummy!! It always feels like the drivers go as far as they can and then slam on the brakes everytime they have to stop!!

[dismom9761]

Hi Mel!:goodvibes Just doing some catchimg up and saw your last update.:guilty: Yikes Ya'll seem to have found several rude and inappropriate people!:scared1: Glad you made it safely home...:goodvibes

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

You really wrapped the end to the trip report up nicely.

I have run into my fair share of crazy people on planes/trains/buses. They just seem to be everywhere.:confused3 :rotfl:

I'll be checking out your new report tomorrow. I just have to finish catching up on all my other subscribed reports. Going away for a few days sure does leave one with a lot of reading to do when getting back.:headache:

[mousescrapper]

Hi Mel,

Your welcome on me reading your WHOLE report! I really am enjoying it. and thank you for making comments on all my comments!

Sorry I've been away for a while, but I just finished reading your TR today and wanted to say "hi" :wave: again and thank you for a really great report, I'm glad I subbed in and read it through. Going to sub in your PTR for Christmas:santa: ...should be a fun ride!

Here are my closing thoughts on this one:

Glad you had a nice pool afternoon, even though you didn't swim.

That IS a great picture of you and N!:love:

Can't wait for that printing boarding pass thing myself....:thumbsup2

Glad you felt up to some last minute fun with a mad dash to and fro from DTD. And yes those buses to there are never fun:snail: ...good thinking on the cab!

I love the Lego store too, such cool things to look at. Do they still have the one wall just covered with the little lego dudes?

sorry no wetzel pretzel...:sad1:

Thanks for pointing out your room, that sure looked like one awesome location!:cool2:

soy milk? really in the convience shops? hope they have that too at the Poly. I don't have a milk intolerance, but my youngest the 11 mo old does, and who knows what it will be like next June, not to mention I had to stop all consumption of cow's milk, etc, and eggs when I was nursing her and it's been a slow road back...after 9 mo w/out, I may just stay off cows milk altogether now.

Yay on finally finding the WL pins!

Ditto on not liking going through the airport security lines...try it by yourself with a then 9 mo old, carseat and base, plus stroller...:scared: And that whole shoes thing....I now wear flip flops anytime I fly....

Seats! not together....UGH! read my plane ressie story/nightmare on my PTR...you'd get a kick out of it...shouldn't be so hard:badpc:

OH the horrors of air travel...BUT at least you had no real troubles. Glad you made it home safe and sound.

Wonderful picture of N. Glad you saved it till the end. Hope to see you on my PTR and I'll be reading yours.:hyper2:

Till then,

Mousescrapper:mickeyjum

[Muffinygood]

Hey guys! I appreciate all the readers on this TR. You guys made this SOOO much fun for me. And it really made a terrible situation (sickness) much better in my memories because I HAD to write down all the good things for the TR.

I wouldn't have thought that reliving it could give me so much perspective! :confused3

Mousescrapper! Thanks for the HUGE comments... I replied to you on my Pre-TR with my explanation for where I've been. Sorry that things have been a bit weird here. I love that you read through. And the soy milk thing was pretty important to us. I called the hotel directly before we arrived to make sure that SOMEONE there had it... be it resturaunt or whatever.

And, I don't think I COULD fly with all that stuff and a baby. I'm a wuss. :)

Oh, and Lessa, thanks for catching up when you came home from your Tanksgibbon...(as my friends daughter used to say). I am still a day from catching up on yours (see my pretr for why...)

Take care guys. And I'll see you at the PRE TR if you feel like coming over to say hi. Just sub and then eventually I'll get my body back in working order and I'll post some info!!

Thanks Again GUYS!!!

:love: Mel

[Tanya90210]

Hi Mel :goodvibes I am late... trip's already over ... :( but sounds wonderful for the most part... so sorry you got so ill while you were there... sounds like they did a fantastic job taking care of you and N :thumbsup2 I have to agree with you about that family being angels:cloud9: