The Baggot Family's END OF CHEMO END OF CANCER PRE Trip Report and Trip Report!!!!

[tjbaggott]

This Trip has been planned for more than a year now! I can't believe we leave in 3 weeks less a day! This trip was planned to Celebrate my now 18 yr old DD's End of Chemo/End of Cancer/End of post treamtent issues!
She was granted a wish through "The Chidlren's Wish Foundation" 3 1/2 years ago when she was only 1 year into a 2 1/2 year treatment protocol. We are about to revisit that exact same WISH but on our own dime this time! I never imagined we could do this on our own dime, but wow, what motivation, detemination and a lot of planning CAN DO! DD has been through SO MUCH, she SO deserves this Vacation as much as the Rest of us!

The CAST:
ME: Mom,
DH
DD18
DS16
DS12
and DS6

This is a Disney Land and Sea Vacation, NO FLIGHTS INVOLVED:scared1:
This will be for all of us, a FIRST TIME DRIVING TO ORLANDO! Should be fun, it's a 23 some hour trip. Spreading the drive down out over 3 days, pehaps driving 8 hours a day give or take.

My DS6's Countdown chain:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/My%20family%20photos/IMG_2115.jpg

Tasks Completed up to this point:
ADR's
1 1/2 of 6 pirate cosutmes
Itinerary
FE Gifts
Packing started
Letters to the kids schools (see below how I wrote them up)

Older 3 are at the High School, so I did one letter for all three of them, and made copies for them to hand into the office and to each teacher.



To: Holy Trinity Teachers For Taryn, Geoffrey and Daniel Baggott,

Our Family is going on Holiday this fall. We are taking our Children on a Disney Land and Sea Vacation to Celebrate our Daughters End of Chemo/End of Cancer! This vacation was booked more than a year in advance and time is now flying.
We are driving to Florida and will be leaving on Sunday Oct. 25th and will return Sun. Nov. 8th. Thus Taryn, Geoffrey and Daniel will be absent from school during this time.
As it is a lengthy trip, we will certainly have time for all our children to work on some school work so that they don’t fall behind.
I would love to take a package with us for Daniel, with any work the rest of the class will be working on in his absence. Please work out with Taryn and Geoffrey what they need to take/do while absent. There is plenty of time on the drive down and back, plus evenings in the hotel there and back, for the kids to do some work. If there are any tests scheduled during their absence, can it be arranged for them to either write them the Friday before we leave or soon after we are back?


Thank you.

And for my youngest




To: Mrs. Walsh

Our Family is going on Holiday this fall. We are taking our Children on a Disney Land and Sea Vacation to Celebrate our Daughters End of Chemo/End of Cancer! This vacation was booked more than a year in advance and time is now flying.
We are driving to Florida and will be leaving on Sunday Oct. 25th and will return Sun. Nov. 8th. Thus Tim will be absent from school during this time.
As it is a lengthy trip, we will certainly have time for all our children to work on some school work so that they don’t fall behind.
I would love to take a package with us for Tim, with any work sheets ect. the rest of the class will be working on in his absence.
I have made up some bingo travel games with simple words of things he is likely to see on the way down, and a game of spot the license plate. I’ve also found online a printable “Sink the battle ship game” which will have him counting and plotting points on paper. He will be bringing his leap pad read and write board (he loves that thing), and some new books for it. If you are able to put together a package of work for him, that will round out his “School on the road” for him.
Tim will be in Magic Kingdom for Halloween, and is sure to have a blast. But he has said to me on more than one occasion that he has to wear black and orange to school that day. I don’t know if it’s the concept of time he’s not catching or if he really feels he is going to miss out on something by not being here. I’ll work on that with him.

Thank you.

Tasks TO BE Completed within the next 2 weeks
Finish 4 1/2 Pirate Costumes
Finish Packing
Clean my house!
Get Travellers cheques
MAKE FE!!!!
Finish up Door Magnets

The older kids are FINALLY getting excited about this trip, my youngest has been excited about it since we told him a year ago! He see's/Makes MICKEY HEADS EVERYWHERE!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/My%20family%20photos/IMG_2211.jpg
Next update will hopefully have photos of Completed Costumes and FE!

[ArmandXG]

Great start! Looking forward to reading the rest. I'm glad to hear your dd is at the end of her treatment. May she have continued good health!:goodvibes

I love your son's countdown board. What a wonderful idea.:thumbsup2

Many years ago, we took my nephew to WDW for his 8th b-day. For one of his school projects, he got a passport from EPCOT and went around to the different countries and got stamps in his book. He also had to ask each CM to write in their native language (and also in English) what their country imported into the U.S. and what we exported to them. Just a little something to help him learn about each country visited. It was such a success that it took almost two weeks for him to bring the project back home, as his teacher was passing it around to other teachers! Disney's not just a vacation! Just don't tell them they are learning something in the process!:lmao:

[Sand]

Wow! Congratulations conquering cancer!! :banana: :cheer2::cool1:
What a fantastic way to celebrate your victory. You are such a talented DISigner. LOVE your countdown chain. I hope you have a safe drive down and you have the best holiday ever! I look forward to reading more of your report!

[disneydance]

Wonderful Start!!
Also Congratulations to your Daughter on conquering cancer
Can't wait to hear more!

[ua1992]

congrats on your DD being cancer free ! That is wonderful news.

[OurOhana]

Congratulations, and great start to the report. Sounds like you have some great plans for fun, as well as some learning. I can't wait to read more.

ArmandXG - Great school project idea at Epcot. I may have to keep that in mind in a few years when my daughter is that age.

[MMitchell29]

Great pre-trip report . I'm so happy to your DD is cancer free. Now if they could just come up with cure already.

Did you guys do a cancer free party?pixiedust:

[tjbaggott]

Great pre-trip report . I'm so happy to your DD is cancer free. Now if they could just come up with cure already.

Did you guys do a cancer free party?pixiedust:


Thanks for all the kind words everyone!
As for a Cancer Free Party, originally we were going to do one, but while we were thinking of planning a BIG party and hold it in a Rental Hall, one of my daughters friends had a huge birthday bash at her home that didn't go nor end well. With Facebook and twitter, the party details were sent to many more than were invited. Strangers upon strangers showed up, SO MANY people to the point the girl and her dad had to call the police to get these people out of their house and yard and the yard of their neighbours ect.... Not a pleasant party. Then when we thought of doing somthing on a smaller scale, my DD was diagnosed with a blood clot in her arm (first clot issue was in her neck and was a result of the port that was implanted in her chest to feed Chemo into her body). So this time they had to put her on Heperin injections daily for 6 months. She did not feel like celebrating then. So once she was 6 months free of the morning injections and other issues, thats when I started planning THIS TRIP! When I told her about it, YES!!!!! THIS was how she really wanted to celebrate.
Now as of today we are 11 days from leaving! The countdown continues!

[tjbaggott]

SO, 11 days and counting, and hoping that the virus going through my house is finished by the time we leave! I was ill last weekend with headache, sore throat, achey bruisy all over. My daycare kids all have colds. This morning, DD awoke with a fever, headache and terribly sore throat. H1N1? Who knows.
Monday past was our Thanksgiving weekend and my two teens spent the evening working on our Fish Extender!!!! They measured, cut out the pieces, ironed on the interfacing and ironed in the pleats. Yesterday I assembled it all and was quite pleased with the finished product!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/OurFE.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/OurFE2.jpg

Thinking of going into business making these things, after our cruise.
I also finished our T-Shirts for Boarding day:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/OurShirts.jpg

The green Mickey stick is to help others find me to check in for our Dis meet on board (in case no one notices the shirts?)LOL

I also did up Canadian Mickey shirts for our Epcot day, Star Wars Mickey shirts for DHS day, and Halloween shirts for two youngest DS's for Halloween Day. I'll post those photos later (got to take them first).
I've also completed DS7's pirate shirt which makes 3 of 6 complete. I've done some more organized packing, cleaned some of the house, made the rest of our door magnets and have bagged up all our FE gifts:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_2620.jpg

SO Still on my "To Do LIst" are:
Finish packing
get travellers cheques
get CAA travellers insurance
Finish costumes

The only twist into our plans is that my son's employer (Walmart) has scheduled him to work the day we plan on leaving, hmmmm. He's trying to find someone to take the shift. I say "they were given plenty of notice of our vacation days therefor KNEW not to book him that day, Thus, it's their problem, not my son's". We'll see how that goes.
Oh, other news. DH want to go shopping somewhere along the drive down, IN A MALL! THAT is just SO NOT my DH! We are dressing up for formal night. I have a suit for DS7, DS16 and Formal dress for DD18 and something for myself. We still need to get dress clothes for DH and DS12. DH said, he wants to stop at a mall on the way down, and do some shopping there for those outfits. Hmmmm, that was a great surprise for me, as I LOVE shopping! So we'll look for some place to stop and do that, maybe wait till we are in Orlando or at least across the boarder into Florida.

[kindra657]

Count me in!!! Congrats to beating cancer!! My brother went through 2 years of that and it was aweful!

So what's the itinerary? How many days in WDW? how many nights at sea? ADRs? Resort? ...btw, what is FE??? Is it something cruise related? We are taking our first cruise in Jan and are still learning the ropes.

can't wait to read more!

[tjbaggott]

Gee, didn't even think of Posting an itinerary, but yes, that sounds great! I will do that sometime this weekend, and explain all about the FE stuff!
Currently, I'm just getting ready to take DD18 to the Doctors. She has CLASSIC FLU symptoms. Last week she had a horrible cold. Then last Monday she awoke with a sore throat and felt awful. That lasted a day and a half. For Wednesday and Thursday she was perfectly FINE. Then Friday afternoon, WHAM, Severe Headache, Chills, High Fever, Terribly aching joints, and nausea and extreme Fatigue. She slept all evening and night yesterday. So far today she is sleeping it away. Fever drops with Tylenol, but just before the 4 hours interval between doses, it spikes back up. She's not eating and is barely drinking (only enough to swallow pills). So I called the doctors office. When they heard her symptoms and the fact that our whole family leaves for Florida a week from TOMORROW, they told me to bring her right in, but wait till noon, when the crowds disperse. So we'll leave in a few minutes now. FLU shots here are not out in clinics till the end of the Month. That doesn't work for us. BUT I'm hoping the Doctors office has something they can give/do.

[ArmandXG]

The FE looks great... love the color choice.
Sorry to hear about the bug crawling through your home.:sick: I do hope everyone is feeling better soon and are full of excitement for the trip.:flower3: Think good thoughts! Keep the healthy ones away from the sick ones and do what you have to do to keep it from spreading to anyone else.
pixiedust: hoping everyone stays well on the trip!

[tjbaggott]

Well, things are looking great! The Doctor said DD definately had the Flu and 97% likely it was H1N1. Because her symptoms were moderate and because of our impending vacation, he put her on Tamiflu. And it has worked! She is doing much better and will be back to school on Wednesday.

So, back to trip planning. I'm not doing too good on the rest of the pirate costumes, in fact I haven't done anything more, YET. Tomorrow I will buckle down and get to it. 3 shirts, two ladies vests, one pair of pants (maybe the pants, unless I can convince DD to wear something else already made). I would like to make myself the pirate Jacket, in case it's cold Halloween evening, but we'll see if there is time.

So, the plan:
Sunday October 25th - leave home by 9 am. Have the van packed the night before, have a leisurly breakfast, then hit the road. Stop for the night somewhere around between Fredericksberg and Richmond VA.
Monday October 26th - 2nd leg of trip. Plan is to drive as far as St Augustine? Would like to get a hotel near the beach, spend some time on the beach then get a good nights rest.
Tuesday October 27th - DRIVE TO KISSIMMEE! We have our Hotel booked here already. "Suites At Old Town". More like an Apartment, has a pool and sleeps 6 for under $50.00 a night! Has a living room, Kitchen and bedroom, and two tv's! The kitchen has a table set, refridgerator, dishwasher, microwave, stove top and coffee maker. It is under new management as of Jan. or Feb. of this year and since then, has had some pretty good reviews. Two nights will be spent here.
Wednesday October 28th - Morning will be spent shopping for the few clothes we've decided to buy there, and anything else we will need. Afternoon will be spent at DTD!!!!!

Balloon ride
Lego Imagination Centre
Once Upon a Toy
Candy Cauldron

and more, basically checking out all of the West side and the Market place, then head back to the hotel for a swim and a good nights rest

Thursday October 29th!!! - Up EARLY and check into CBR by 7:30, or at least drop off our luggage with the CM's and pick up our Park Hoppers. Then take Disney transportation to EPCOT. Whole day spent here.
Dinner scheduled at Les Chefs de France for 5:30pm

Friday October 30th - Up EARLY, breakfast at Chef Mickey's for 7:15 a.m. We will likely drive here ourselves, then we are off to DHS! Dinner is scheduled here for 6pm at Sci Fi Dine in Theatre. Park Hop Over to MK to watch WISHES!!

Saturday October 31st Up Early, Head to MK, drive ourselves? Take pirate costumes to change into later for MNSSHP!!! We'll be in this park from 9am till Midnight! Then back to CBR for some sleep before again, getting up early! SET THE CLOCKS BACK BEFORE GOING TO BED! At least we gain an hours sleep this night!

Sunday November 1st Up by 7:30 am, check out and on the road by 9 am. HEAD TO PORT CANAVERAL! We would like to be one of the first group of families into the terminal. Take lots of pictures in the terminal this time, Character meet and greets and photo OP'S! Board before Noon and then it's time to RELAX. Get some lunch then stake out a place by the pool. I'll sit back and put my feet up, while the kids play/swim. Dis Meet will take place in this area. Order Mickey Bars from Room Service for a bedtime snack (I know, not the most healthy snack, but hey, THIS IS DISNEY!

Monday November 2nd- sleep in..... a bit. Enjoy a leisurly breakfast, perhaps the free room service. Eventually we'll, or some of us, will head into NASSAU, explore the shopping district (of course), then catch the water taxi over to Atlantis. I've been told it's free to just walk around this area, though we won't have access to the water park (don't want the water park anyway). We want to see the aquarium and maybe the dinosaur dig. Then we'll take the water taxi back to the ship and explore the ship, let the kids play in the clubs. RELAX!

Tuesday November 3rd - CATAWAY CAY DAY!!! Hopefully we have Fabulous weather! TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES! DD18 and DS16 have a parasailing excursion booked here for mid morning.

Wednesday November 4th- SEA DAY!! Brunch at PALO'S! Relax, catch a movie with the kids (something in 3D most likely)

Thursday November 5th I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME!!!! Wait, we're NOT, oh yes, we are disembarking and heading to AK!!!! Spend the day in AK , and when it closes at 5pm, maybe head over to MK and watch WISHES again? We'll probably stay at Suites at Old Town again this night.

Friday November 6th - NOW we head home.
Saturday November 7th - Still driving home (maybe stop for a few hours and tour Washington D.C White House/Capital area)
Sunday November 8th - Home (maybe we'll have gotten home the night before if we didn't stop in DC.)

So there it is, our itinerary. Some things could change as nothing is set in stone (except our ADR's, lol).

Now to get working on the Pirate costumes.

[tjbaggott]

The FE looks great... love the color choice.
Sorry to hear about the bug crawling through your home.:sick: I do hope everyone is feeling better soon and are full of excitement for the trip.:flower3: Think good thoughts! Keep the healthy ones away from the sick ones and do what you have to do to keep it from spreading to anyone else.
pixiedust: hoping everyone stays well on the trip!


Thank you very much! I can't even think about anyone else catching this! Today I packed into a travel bag all the meds I think we should take (Tylenol, Ibuprophen, Children's Motrin, Vitamins, Gravol and Benadryl tablets).
I think my DD caught this simply because her immune system just isn't what it used to be. Before Cancer hit her, she NEVER got sick. Since she's finished her cancer treatment, she picks up EVERYTHING that goes around, mostly thats just nasty colds, one rolls into another. But at least she's over the worst of this Flu.

Thanks too about the FE! Funny thing is, it took me a LONG time to choose the fabric. Then I was explaining to the sales lady what it was for and she thought that was pretty cool, but commented that that striped fabric was Really, WOW (I got the impression she didn't like it), she said it's hard on the eyes if you look at it too long. HMMMM, but I guess used in the right way, as the backing instead of the pockets was best, I LOVE IT!
Trying too to decide how and what to pack for clothes. The temps in Orlando seem to really have dropped this past week! Wasn't planning on taking long pants, but I guess now I'll have to. Crunch time is getting here!

[kindra657]

Well, things are looking great! The Doctor said DD definately had the Flu and 97% likely it was H1N1. Because her symptoms were moderate and because of our impending vacation, he put her on Tamiflu. And it has worked! She is doing much better and will be back to school on Wednesday.

So, back to trip planning. I'm not doing too good on the rest of the pirate costumes, in fact I haven't done anything more, YET. Tomorrow I will buckle down and get to it. 3 shirts, two ladies vests, one pair of pants (maybe the pants, unless I can convince DD to wear something else already made). I would like to make myself the pirate Jacket, in case it's cold Halloween evening, but we'll see if there is time.

So, the plan:
Sunday October 25th - leave home by 9 am. Have the van packed the night before, have a leisurly breakfast, then hit the road. Stop for the night somewhere around between Fredericksberg and Richmond VA.
Monday October 26th - 2nd leg of trip. Plan is to drive as far as St Augustine? Would like to get a hotel near the beach, spend some time on the beach then get a good nights rest.
Tuesday October 27th - DRIVE TO KISSIMMEE! We have our Hotel booked here already. "Suites At Old Town". More like an Apartment, has a pool and sleeps 6 for under $50.00 a night! Has a living room, Kitchen and bedroom, and two tv's! The kitchen has a table set, refridgerator, dishwasher, microwave, stove top and coffee maker. It is under new management as of Jan. or Feb. of this year and since then, has had some pretty good reviews. Two nights will be spent here.
Wednesday October 28th - Morning will be spent shopping for the few clothes we've decided to buy there, and anything else we will need. Afternoon will be spent at DTD!!!!!

Balloon ride
Lego Imagination Centre
Once Upon a Toy
Candy Cauldron

and more, basically checking out all of the West side and the Market place, then head back to the hotel for a swim and a good nights rest

Thursday October 29th!!! - Up EARLY and check into CBR by 7:30, or at least drop off our luggage with the CM's and pick up our Park Hoppers. Then take Disney transportation to EPCOT. Whole day spent here.
Dinner scheduled at Les Chefs de France for 5:30pm

Friday October 30th - Up EARLY, breakfast at Chef Mickey's for 7:15 a.m. We will likely drive here ourselves, then we are off to DHS! Dinner is scheduled here for 6pm at Sci Fi Dine in Theatre. Park Hop Over to MK to watch WISHES!!

Saturday October 31st Up Early, Head to MK, drive ourselves? Take pirate costumes to change into later for MNSSHP!!! We'll be in this park from 9am till Midnight! Then back to CBR for some sleep before again, getting up early! SET THE CLOCKS BACK BEFORE GOING TO BED! At least we gain an hours sleep this night!


We will be in the World at the same time!!! :dance3: We arrive on the 30th (MK and then AK for EMH) and the 31st we will be at Epcot, the Boardwalk (for Halloween festivities cause we really can't afford the party--this is a last minute trip), and then back to Epcot for fireworks. YAY!!! I LOVE Disney around Halloween!!! SOO much fun!

[TotallyAngelic]

Hi
I am really enjoying your pre - trip report so far - the T-Shirts are fantastic - would love to see the others you have made. That's some journey you have ahead of you, but a good way to see the different states that you pass through. It's amazing that your DD has managed to beat cancer :hug: and a wonderful way to celebrate.

Funnily enough my 18 year old DD is called Taryn and it is a very rare name here in the UK ( up to now we only know of one other Taryn so now we know of 2). I also have a DS (15) called Daniel, would you believe it!

Look forward to reading more about your planning and your adventures!:)

[tjbaggott]

Hi
I am really enjoying your pre - trip report so far - the T-Shirts are fantastic - would love to see the others you have made. That's some journey you have ahead of you, but a good way to see the different states that you pass through. It's amazing that your DD has managed to beat cancer :hug: and a wonderful way to celebrate.

Funnily enough my 18 year old DD is called Taryn and it is a very rare name here in the UK ( up to now we only know of one other Taryn so now we know of 2). I also have a DS (15) called Daniel, would you believe it!

Look forward to reading more about your planning and your adventures!:)

That is Funny! I have a cousin named Tara and I always loved her name, and my DH's name is Martyn spelled with a "Y". When we were expecting DD, we couldn't seem to agree on a name. Then I was reading the birth announcements one day and saw the name TARYN. I had never seen or heard that name before. I asked DH how he liked that. It was close to the name Tara that I loved so much, and was spelled with a "Y" like DH's name. Well, right off the bat, he loved it! Hmmm, seems thats how we've got each of our childrens names (the first one we both agreed on became THE name, LOL) Except our youngest, Tim. We lost two babies before him, a little boy in 1999, we named him Jacob (carried him half way through the pregnancy), and a little girl we carried to full term and she too was born still. Her name was Hailey. When we knew our last child was on the way, and found out he was a boy, we gave our DD the Honour of naming him herself. I think she picked a wonderful name!
We've met two other Taryn's, but even here, it's not a name you hear very often at all.

News of tonight, I've been so busy saving files for Journal, Activity and Autograph books (taking the files on disc into Staples tomorrow for printing and binding), that I still haven't gotten any further on the pirate costumes. I think at this point I'm going to post on my local FREECYCLE bulleting board, an OFFER to pay someone to finish them up for me. Basically it's just my daughters and my costumes that need doing. Two or Three of my kids need new sandles (what they had this past summer they've either already outgrown, or outworn). I assume the stores in Orlando still sell sandles at this time of year? I'm counting on it!
I will post more pictures tomorrow of the shirts and and Thursday I should have photos of the Staples booklets. The books are all done up with the help of Donatalie and Milliepie! (I was SO surprised to here my DD18 and DS16 tell me that they TOO want Autograph books!)
TTFN

[kindra657]

BUSY BUSY BUSY!!! :laundy:

Do you have an Old Navy near you or a Claires? My bf got us some flips from both of those places for $1!!! I know I am like the only fool running around in flip flops at Disney but if you are looking for some, you may be able to find some there for pretty cheap! Good luck getting everything together and finishing the costumes!!

popcorn::

[jordak]

Wow, your pre-trip report has me really excited for you! Have a great trip!

[tjbaggott]

Wow, I haven't had any time to update over the last couple days. Busy, busy busy! Got a lot of sewing done, but still a bit more to do. Leaving for the bank soon to get travellers cheques, then to the fabric store for the last few notions I need. A little more packing to do, then tidying up. Tonight we plan to have a nice family dinner then watch a Disney movie. The plan is to RELAX. I received the last of our travel documents via UPS yesterday. Package was filled with little glitter Mickey Heads! Below are photos of the last of the shirts I made up, and DS6 in his Pirate Costume. We leave first thing tomorrow morning so there might not be any more updates till it's time to write up my TRIP REPORT once we are back (I dont' even want to think about coming back right now :scared1:)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3046.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3038.jpghttp://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3037.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3039.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3045.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3044.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3041.jpghttp://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3040.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3042.jpg

I also finished up the files for the Journal for Tim, his Activity book and Autograph books, and had Staples Business depot print them up and bind them for me (cost an arm and a leg, but for this trip, it was worth it!)

First, Tim's Journal and a few of the pages. (There is a set of pages for EACH Day of the trip as well as one page for each Country in World Showcase in Epcot:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3049.jpghttp://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3050.jpghttp://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3051.jpg

The Activity book will keep him busy on the drive down and back:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3052.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3055.jpghttp://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3053.jpghttp://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3054.jpg

And the Autograph books, each one different as each child had their own favourites. DS6 wanted Absolutely NO Princesses in his book! Surprisingly, DS16 actually wanted a book! And also wanted Princess Aurora and Mulan in his!:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3056.jpghttp://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/IMG_3057.jpg

FE Gifts we are GIVING:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2614.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2612.jpg

[TotallyAngelic]

wow - your T-shirts are amazing and I love the travel journals and the aurtograph books - you are very very imaginative and talented!

[LindaBabe]

Safe Travels, Baggot Family!

[tjbaggott]

DAY 1!
YAHHHHH!!!! TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!!! Everything is DONE! Thats a relief! Just have to pack the van, get the kids up, can't believe they aren't up yet, I didn't get much sleep last night I was SO excited about today! Did up two more T-Shirts last night that I had forgotten to do. Will take pictures of those once we are in Orlando.
We'll have DH's laptop with us, but I dont think I'll be on it to update. Going to use it to save Pictures to the memory stick. Anyway's thanks for the safe travel thoughts.
Au revoir, and Bon Voyage!

[praisehisname]

I just found your report. Hope you have a safe trip and a wonderful vacation!

Denise

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

:wave2: Have a wonderful trip!

[tjbaggott]

Day One Is Done! Wow, we left the house at 8:30 yesterday morning, stopped at a conveinence store in Ogdansburg for some munchies and juice (a few of us forgot to have breakfast before we left). We drove as far as (some place in PA starting with an H) for lunch at a Cracker Barrel. Fabulous place, never been to one before! My kids got a real kick out of The Smarties there! They were like Giant Rocket candy that we have. Our Smarties are more like M&M's (something I've brought tons of along with us for the FE Exchange).
It got dark around 6pm and was pitch black out by 7. We drove till 9:30 pm and stopped here in Fredericksberg VA. Two rooms for the night at a Days Inn @ $47.95 each for the night. Free wi-fi (thus why I can do an update now), free breakfast, and the rooms are clean! The three most important things for me on what a hotel must have for me to stay. Only two scary incidents last night, both within 20 minutes of each other and both in West VA and both in the dark. First, a near miss with a deer, jumped out of nowhere on the drivers side. DH swerved to miss her, and thankfully she too stopped where she was when she saw the headlights. Missed her by inches! Second was two dogs chasing each other, ran out into the road, but not in our lane. My goodness, why were they loose and running onto the highway? I hope cars that came behind us didn't have problems with the deer or those little dogs! Nonetheless, we definately won't be driving at night again here! DS6 and DD18 are watching the DISNEY CHANNEL right now (we don't get this channel at home as I refuse to pay a huge chunk of $ for a cable package upgrade for just ONE CHANEL. LOL
Anyway, we are about to go for that free breakfast then hit the road again.
TODAY: the plan is to get at least across the Florida boarder! Stop for some OJ, maybe stop at "South Of The Boarder" before that (just to see and say we've been). So if we are going to get that far before dark, I'd better get off here now. Hopefully the next hotel will also have free wi-fi!

Crossing the boarder: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2768.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2768.jpg) http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2770.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2770.jpg)

Funny House we saw in Ogdansburg: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2773.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2773.jpg)

DS enjoying his Activity book: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_3075.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_3075.jpg)


I had to throw this photo in! Our rootbeer does NOT come in bottles like they did here at Cracker Barrel. DS6 got a real KICK out of the fact he could drink from a beer bottle! In retrospect, perhaps THAT was not such a great idea...... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_3069.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_3069.jpg) http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_3070.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_3070.jpg)

[kindra657]

Day One Is Done! Wow, we left the house at 8:30 yesterday morning, stopped at a conveinence store in Ogdansburg for some munchies and juice (a few of us forgot to have breakfast before we left). We drove as far as (some place in PA starting with an H) for lunch at a Cracker Barrel. Fabulous place, never been to one before! My kids got a real kick out of The Smarties there! They were like Giant Rocket candy that we have. Our Smarties are more like M&M's (something I've brought tons of along with us for the FE Exchange).
It got dark around 6pm and was pitch black out by 7. We drove till 9:30 pm and stopped here in Fredericksberg VA. Two rooms for the night at a Days Inn @ $47.95 each for the night. Free wi-fi (thus why I can do an update now), free breakfast, and the rooms are clean! The three most important things for me on what a hotel must have for me to stay. Only two scary incidents last night, both within 20 minutes of each other and both in West VA and both in the dark. First, a near miss with a deer, jumped out of nowhere on the drivers side. DH swerved to miss her, and thankfully she too stopped where she was when she saw the headlights. Missed her by inches! Second was two dogs chasing each other, ran out into the road, but not in our lane. My goodness, why were they loose and running onto the highway? I hope cars that came behind us didn't have problems with the deer or those little dogs! Nonetheless, we definately won't be driving at night again here! DS6 and DD18 are watching the DISNEY CHANNEL right now (we don't get this channel at home as I refuse to pay a huge chunk of $ for a cable package upgrade for just ONE CHANEL. LOL
Anyway, we are about to go for that free breakfast then hit the road again.
TODAY: the plan is to get at least across the Florida boarder! Stop for some OJ, maybe stop at "South Of The Boarder" before that (just to see and say we've been). So if we are going to get that far before dark, I'd better get off here now. Hopefully the next hotel will also have free wi-fi!

OMG hitting a deer would have been aweful!! We saw MANY deer on Saturday when we on the roads at night! They are definitely out and about so be careful, especially right at dusk too!! I'm so excited for you guys and your tee shirts are fabulous!!

[MagicMe]

Glad to hear you made it safely so far and avoided all the four-legged obstacles!!!

[tjbaggott]

Well, Day 2 is Done and today is Day 3 I managed to wrangle out some free internet here.
Day 2 was spent driving all day, we decided to bite the bullet and drive straight through to Kissimmee! We arrived at 10:30 last night. The roads were great. Moderate traffic, well lit, thus less risk of deer. Plus once we hit FL., the highways were wider, and not much woods on the side. The only thing I found nerve racking was the construction. No real slow downs because of that, but there were cement walls right at edge of the road. Driving next to that was a chore! We did stop at South of the Border, I didn't think much of it. Most of it was closed, it was lunch time, raining, and nothing there appealed to us. We ended up at some place in Dillon South Carolina, for a bite.
We stopped again in Savannah Georgia at a subway for dinner just as the sun was about to go down. The kids were enamoured with the palm trees. I will post pictures when I can.
Our hotel is called "Suites at Old Town" and is more like an apartment. Clean yet homey. Not a 5 star hotel by any means, but perfect nonetheless. 3 night stay came to $175 and change with all taxes and fees) The lobby is clean, but musty smelling, and the staff so far has been very friendly. It has a living room with a Murphy bed that pulls down out of the wall, a nice little kitchen with a fridge, microwave, stove top, coffee maker, dishwasher and table and chair set. (no dishes or pots and pans though). It has a single bathroom, and a back bedroom with two double beds and another counter with sink. Two television sets, patio doors off the bedroom and AIR CONDITIONING! WOW, we were pleasantly surprised when we got out of the van last night. It had just rained, but the temp out was 28 degrees Celcius, and HUMID! Considering it was about 4 degrees when we left home, THIS WAS NICE!

Today, DAY 3, DH went out early this morning to get McDonalds take out for breakfast (hot cakes and sausage and OJ!) Then we all drove to Walmart and picked up formal wear for DH, DS16 and DS12, new running shoes for two of them, some groceries, and several other items along with a bathing suit for me (I'd prefer the one I left at home, but I didn't have time to be picky). DS16 works at a Walmart back home, and were thankful he was allowed to use his employee discount card here! I was honestly surprised with the total bill, expecting it to be close to $500.00 but I came to just under $300.00. Not bad considering it was two sets of mens dress pants, dress shirts and ties, dress shoes, a two piece SUIT for DS12 and shirt with tie and dress shoes, dress socks, jean shorts for one of boys, two sets of mens running shoes, along with the other items. I know without a doubt back home it WOULD have come to around $500.00 easily. I LOVE SHOPPING HERE!
DH and sons have gone for a swim in the pool, so I'm heading off to join them and take pictures.
TOMORROW is DOWNTOWN DISNEY DAY! I will update tomorrow and try to upload some of the photos if I can. Tomorrow is the last day while on vacation I can update the trip report as I know we won't get free internet at Disney (likely wouldn't have time even if we could).
It's HOT outside, did I mention that already? I'm loving this!!!!

DD18 loving the Palm tree in Georgia just outside her favourite fast food place "Subway" http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_3079.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_3079.jpg)

Our Hotel Room at "Suites At Old Town":

Walking to our room:http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2802.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2802.jpg) Our room number: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2801.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2801.jpg)
To the right of where we first walk in: IMG]http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2798.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2798.jpg)[/IMG] This is the left side of the same room: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2799.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2799.jpg)

The Kitchen: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2793.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2793.jpg) http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2796.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2796.jpg)

To the left off of the Kitchen: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2795.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2795.jpg) The back Bedroom: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2783.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2783.jpg)
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2786.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2786.jpg) And the view out the back bedroom: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_2789.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_2789.jpg)

The Pool area: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_3122.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_3122.jpg) We thought seeing these things EVERYWHERE was awesome!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_3126.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_3126.jpg)

DD's trip on the SLINGSHOT: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/th_IMG_3131.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/?action=view&current=IMG_3131.jpg)

[MagicMe]

Glad to hear things are going well and that you made it safely to Florida!! Enjoy!!!!

[disney4dan]

Just discovered this post and wanted to let you know I'm enjoying it so far! Congratulations to your daughter on her battle and victory over her cancer. Our oldest son, 17, was just given the green light as cancer free this past June after first being diagnosed at age 15. Is there any thing worse than those first few days waiting for pathology results and trying to educate yourself on the disease?

Anyway, glad you are able to celebrate now and I'm sure your family is stronger now and ready to relax on vacation! Looking forward to more! popcorn::

[tjbaggott]

Just discovered this post and wanted to let you know I'm enjoying it so far! Congratulations to your daughter on her battle and victory over her cancer. Our oldest son, 17, was just given the green light as cancer free this past June after first being diagnosed at age 15. Is there any thing worse than those first few days waiting for pathology results and trying to educate yourself on the disease?

Anyway, glad you are able to celebrate now and I'm sure your family is stronger now and ready to relax on vacation! Looking forward to more! popcorn::

Congratulations to your son! Yes, scary days, those were. I think our worst was the day of diagnosis. Many others could compare throughout her treatment. What got me, was they told us that treatment for her cancer had a 75 - 95 % success rate with long term survival. But I then during the course of her treatment, 3 other kids (teens) with the SAME cancer, didn't make it! That hit really hard, knowing there is no rhyme or reason to why some kids will make it and yet others won't. I became very good friends with a mom whose daughter was diagnosed with the same cancer the month prior to my DD. My DD was deemed High Risk and the other child was deemed Standard Risk. That other child relapsed 13 months into treatment. She then had a bone marrow transplant, and relapsed again just 6 months later, and passed away 5 weeks later to do severe side effects of the next phase of treatment. Because we were such good friends, I carried a kind of guilt "why her child?" I didn't by any means wish that it were my child, heavens NO! But it became difficult for her to see my child, and I completely understood. Nothing was fair, nothing is FAIR in the fight with Cancer!
DD did the SLING SHOT here at Old Town the other night. This is a ride where two people are stapped into a double seated contraption, then tilted backwards and shot, I have no idea how many feet into the sky (but lets say you could see all of ORLANDO from up there!). I did not want her to do this, we were LUCKY she has survived cancer, I didn't need some freak accident to happen with a risky ride, but alas my fears had NO effect on her desire and determination to do this! Off she went, DS12 video taped it, I kept my eyes shut for most of it! I don't think my worry for her will ever or any of my children will ever dissipate, at least not her! She gets a fever that lingers a little too long, I'm worrying. She complains of back pain, I'm worrying. Thankfully, those things haven't happened too much since she finished treatment, but my brain always seems to kick into high alert when things like illness or risky rides crop up.
Now we are off to Disney rides, and I'm not sure how many near panic attacks I'll have LOL, but hopefully none as I TRUST DISNEY.
Congraulations to your son again, it sure is good news to hear he is cancer free!

[tjbaggott]

Day 4!! was spent at DOWNTOWN DISNEY! WOW, that was fun! I got tears in my eyes when we drove under the Huge WALT DISNEY WORLD SIGN.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2964.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2818.jpg

We spent way too much money LOL, but all was worth every penny! The highlights of our day other than all the sites, were getting spit on by STITCH and having pixie dust sprinkled all over DD!
At "The World Of Disney" store, above one of the entrance doorways, there sits STITCH way up top. He might be cute to look at and take pictures of but watch OUT! He SPITS! Literally! We thought it fun watching DS6 trying to figure out how stitch does that, and fun to stand in the wet spot on the pavement and run away before the spit came! (unless your Dad was Holding you there!)
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2872.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2844.jpg


LateCr in the day it did start to rain. We were leaving another store near Goofy's Candy CO. and it started to rain! I had my SLR camera around my neck and no case to carry it it. I held my baggalini bag over top of it for some protection as I sought shelter. DH just wanted to walk fast to our destination, T REX, for lunch, but I didn't want my hair to get soaked, my camera, I can't stand rain drops running down my glasses, then I saw the doorway to "WORLD OF DISNEY" and made a Bee line for that entry way. Keeping my head down so as to avoid the rain on my face and glasses, I had NO IDEA I was running right into Stitche's Line Of Fire!
BAM, he got me! DH and DS6 were outside LAUGHING Hysterically. It was DISNEY, so I had no Choice but to laugh too! The rain stopped soon after that, and it was sunny again, as is typical of Florida!

Lunch at T-REX was FABULOUS! We had no ADR for there, we just decided to give it a try and there was no wait! The food too, was Delicious!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/DSC_0012.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2928.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2927.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2926.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3158-1.jpg

Later, as we walked back to visit Goofy's Candy Co., there were two CM's from World of Disney (specifically BBB). They looked so cute in their uniforms, and they looked SO HAPPY as they chatted with each other. To me, their faces just Beamed Disney Philosophy. I walked over and asked if I could take their photo and they happily obliged. Then they saw DD18 and coaxed her over to them and asked her if she would like some pixie dust! They then sprinkled it over her shoulders and Hair and DD18 just SPARKLED for the rest of the day!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2870.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2871.jpg

DS6's favourite Store was the LEGO Store! We must have spent a whole hour in their! He finally picked out to building sets (we set the limit at two, but that didn't stop him begging for more). We were AMAZED with the Lego Sculptures, wondering how on earth they made many of them!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2837.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2951.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2832.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2834.jpg


Treats from Goofy's Canday Company:
The biggest Candy store my kids have ever seen! Again, tons of time spent in here, just looking at everything. Then it was time to pick their treats. Rice Crispy Mickey Heads it was! But still being full from lunch, we got them to go. The CM's packaged them up beautifully for the kids!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2938.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2945.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2948.jpg

Making Star Wars Lightsabres. This was a highlight for all 3 of my boys! DS6 happily made his lightsabre, a red one, but then got upset when he found out his oldest brother made a double Lightsabre! No amount of reasoning would work. Personally, I was ready to just walk out of the store with him, but DH caved in to the tears, and DS got what he wanted (this time). In retrospect we both realize how much of a bad idea it was to give in.....
Now here's a tip for any parent considering letting their kid make a double lightsabre! We quickly realized there was no other place other than OUTSIDE to play with this thing! See the size difference between a singel and a double? :)
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2878.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2898.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2889.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2899.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2904.jpg

[praisehisname]

So glad you had a safe trip and are having fun! Enjoy your cruise!!!

Denise

[MagicMe]

Certainly sounds like you are having a great time and can't wait to hear all about it.

[Charleyann]

Congratulations to your daughter and her victory over cancer!

Enjoy your cruise. I have a son with a life threatening illness. He too got a Wish from the Childrens' Wish Foundation. We have been going back to Disney Health permitting and are taking our first Land and Sea package.

Our Canadian Children and made of strength and determination!

Congratulations again!:woohoo:

Charleyann

[3Goofy's]

Welcome back! Sounds like all your trip planning (OH MY!) paid off! I need to search around a bit to find more of your posts, because I've read more from somewhere else and am now lost. Congrats on the big drive too - I've always wanted to try that, but it is daunting. Looking forward to reading more!

[knewton64]

I'm Subscribing:goodvibes




Glad 2 meet ya by the way -


T.T.F.N.

[podsnel]

Hi! I'm subbing- can't wait to read all about your cruise before we take OUR cruise next October!! :banana: Congratulations to your daughter, so happy for all of you!! :goodvibes

Ellen

[tjbaggott]

Getting caught up! DAY 4 CONTINUED!


Pessed Pennies, Stuffies, Crazy Hats and Puffles:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2864.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2863.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2859.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2855.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2854.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2853.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2851.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2860.jpg





Then it was back to our Hotel late in the afternoon.

The kids ate some of those Rice Crispy Mickeys and then it was Homework time:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2960.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3163.jpg

[Blanche_Neige]

I am curious to know how much it you approx to drive down to Orlando? (gas, hotel, food)

We have often wondered ow much it would cost us to drive instead of flying. We are also a family of 5 and we would leave from Montreal. So far I have always found direct flights out of Burlington (2 hr away) between 1100$ to 1400$, would it be less to drive?

[tjbaggott]

DAY 5, Thursday October 29th, 2009

Last night, we packed up the van, and just as we finished we noticed a couple standing at the walkway to the hotel room doors. They were looking over at us, so I drew DH's attention to them. LOW AND BEHOLD, they were my DH's Co- Workers!!!!!! What are the chances of driving 2000 plus Km's (or is it miles) to a place as BIG as ORLANDO, and end up staying at the EXACT SAME HOTEL as someone you work with? WOW! So the 4 of us stood and chatted for a while, had some good laughs, and learned my DH has another name (to me he is Martyn, but apparently at work, he is "MARTY")
So now DH is bugging me "LETS GO", we are ready to Check out of this Place and Check into CBR!!!! Then off to EPCOT!
So this might be it till we are home from vacation!
Thanks for the well wishes!

Continued........

We checked in at The Custom House at Caribbean Beach Resort by 8:00 am. The kids waited in the kids TV area, while we did the paper work ect... Surprisingly, we were able to get into our rooms right away! The Custom House itself was Beautiful! Almost Empty too, at that time in the morning.
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2966.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2969.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2970.jpg


There was a very nice lady at the Cruise Desk in the Custom House. I went over to talk with her to see if we would be needing to see her again before we checked out of the Hotel. She said she could do everything for us right there. She pulled up our reservation and turns out the one document I had printed off at home, and was SUPPOSED to bring with me, I had actually left at home. No problem, she said, she printed off another copy there and had us sign that. If I remember correctly it was the "Contract Signatures Form". So once done there, there would be no need to check in there again.
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3166.jpg

After leaving the custom house, we drove over to Jamaica where our rooms were located. We had connecting rooms 4645 and 4646. The only thing we didn't like was the fact that there were stairs to climb and a long walk around to the hallway that our rooms were located in.
We were unpacking the van, when all of the sudden one of the hinges on the lift gate broke! ERRRGGHHHHH! Was it just the hinge or was there a problem with the whole hydraulic system? Well, nohting we could do about it then. We turned off the automatic gate opener as the liftgate didn't want to stay open anyway. When we opened it, it would automatically start to close again. So now our liftgate became a two person job. One to hold it open and one to unpack. The rest of us ran up and down the stairs with all the luggage and supplies, loading it all into our rooms. After the workout, we discovered a closer set of stairs and parking space, on the OTHER side of the building!! :rotfl2:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2979.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3167.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3168.jpg

After getting unpacked and organized, it was time to head to Epcot! Disney is the method of Transportation for the remainder of today!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2981.jpg

[tjbaggott]

epcot

We have the Disney Dining plan for our Time in WDW. We each had available to us for each of 3 days, 1 Quick Service Meal, 1 Snack, and 1 Table Service Meal.
ADR for today is at Chef De France for 5:10 pm
Even before entering the park, Autographs started! STITCH was waiting right there!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_2985-1.jpg

The whole entry way was SO different from what I remembered of 3 1/2 years ago! The first ride we hit was SOARIN! That was and still is my FAVOURITE! If we had had the time, I would have retreated back there to go on it again and again. But also, Epcot and World Showcase, is actually a HUGE place. Did I ever mention how Perfect the weather was for us here? I don't think it ever rained again after that day in Downtown Disney! And warm, in fact Hot at times. Not humid though, Just Perfect!!
We finally got a great one of these traditional photos! Love the Golf Ball!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/Image0157.jpg

We did test track. It was DS6's and my first time ever on this ride. I wasn't sure I wanted to go on it, as I don't do rollercoasters and typical kind of thrill rides. Motion sickness is big with me, and a rollercoaster ride once as a child and then once as an adult, told me, these rides are NOT for me. But the rest of my family other than the youngest LOVE them! Especially DS12! DH isn't that gung ho for them anymore either, but goes on them because we won't let DS12 ride alone (unless an older sibling goes with him too). BUT Test track was DH's favourite from 3 1/2 years ago, and convinced me to try it. SO OK, Test track, I actually liked. The race around the track was actually Scary but in a fun thrill kind of way! I would definately do Test track again!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/Image0166.jpg

So we did most rides and attractions in Future World. Lots of Autograph seeking too, and making the most of our Photo pass. Oh yes, forgot to mention we took part in a photo pass share with two other families. It worked out GREAT! Lunch was a Quick Service at the Electric Umbrella.

We started into World Showcase around 1pm. This was my family's FIRST time ever in World Showcase. We just couldn't fit it into our Schedule on our First Disney Trip in 2006. I had made Passports for my 6 and 12 yr olds, but then forgot about them till after we'd already been through the first 4 Countries! We started at Norway and worked our way around Counter Clockwise. World showcase actually took a lot longer than I thought it would so we never did get to do the last Country, MY OWN!! But back to that later.
We loved Malestrom in Norway! Although I truly enjoyed looking through the shops in each country, my kids did not! We quickly got them hooked up with Kim Possible Interactive Adventure Game. In retrospect we should have put the kids into two teams of two (since the teens were also SO into this), but we didn't do that. So all 4 were fighting over the communicator for each mission, not wanting to take turns (really, my teens too????)
Between that petty arguing, they did have Some fun with it. I can see how they would have had more, if we had more than one communicator.
They really enjoyed finding the things they had to find, and watching funny and cool things happen when they correctly completed a mission!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3000-1.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3016-1.jpg

Here they made this Green Monkey rise up out of the water!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3017.jpg

We let them each do 2 missions each, as it was this activity that really Slowed our progress through World Showcase. When they were finished, they deposited the communicator into the bin they are to be put into. Truly and awesome game if you can spare the time!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3019-1.jpg


So around the world we continued. Watched the amazing outdoor show in China, with the huge drums. Took some time to relax and watch a gentleman at the Out Post carve something out of wood. Don't know what the final product was as we didn't have time to stay THAT long :) My two youngest boys partook in the Kidcot areas around the World. There was a kidcot center in each Country. They had a mask on a stick that they would add some color and designs to at each stop, and a special symbol from each country to hang off the mask. This activity kept them busy while we were at The American Adventure. There was a Beer tasting event happening and DH just HAD to go do that! That took about a 1/2 hour total. I didn't go in with him as someone needed to stay with the two younger boys. DD18 and DS16, wanted to wander around a bit on their own, and I felt they more than deserved that time. DD didn't go far, and then ended up getting really relaxed on a Wall/bench:
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3033.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3036.jpg

Soon enough it was time for Dinner. Now at 90 days out from our trip, when we were able to start making our ADR's, Le Cellier was what we had Wanted. But even from 90 days out, there were no openings available for dinner at Le Cellier. I had tossed around the idea of Biergarten and Tutto Italia. Dh wanted neither of those. We ended up agreeing on Chef De France, or more like I gave in to DH making the decision for us here.
The restaurant itself was lovely to look at. I felt we were under dressed in our T-Shirts and shorts/Capris, but we certainly had no time to go change. Our waitress...... hmmm, I dont' want to use harsh words.... She was pleasant enough, but seemed uninterested in the job. DS6 did not like Anything that was offered on the kids menu, but we went ahead and ordered him the cheese filled pastry. He ate only a few bites (very picky eater) DS16 and I ordered the French Onion soup, and this was in fact VERY Delicious! For the main courses, we each got something different.
I ordered the "Filet de boeuf grille, sauce au poivre noir Gratin Dauphinois et haricots verts" (Steak, potatoes and green beans) DH and DS12 ordered "Medaillon de Veau basquaise" (veal on onions with green beans and roasted potato.
My green beans were great, the potato gratin was ok, and although my steak looked good, it didn't taste good. To me it tasted like a tightly packed frozen hamburger would taste. Dh didn't care much for his meal but he ate it. DS12 could not eat his meal. He picked at it and picked at it. When the rest of us were done, as much as we could make ourselves eat considering we didn't really like the main parts of our meal, the waitress came by and asked DS12 if he meal was ok since he wasn't eating it. He told her very shyly, he didn't like it, and she did offer to bring him something else. She brought him out a chicken dish, he ate a bit of that, but Honestly it was a kids meal he wanted (but not from Chef de France). That was the biggest issue I had with the dining plan, the fact that kids 10 and over had to order from the adult menu. DS12 prefers the kids meals.
Now, even though our food was lacking in taste ect.... there was some mighty fine entertainment while we sat at our table! Outside the Window we were located aside of, there were entertainers stacking up chairs very precariously. Then one of them climbs the stack that was by now, 12 feet tall? And then he started juggling a few bottles of wine (I'm sure they were empty LOL). And in the restaurant, the Maitre De came around to each table and introduced us to Remy! He brought him over in a covered platter. When he removed the lid, There was Remy, squeaking away, and moving to look at everyone! Pretty awesome!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3064.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3065.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3067.jpg

By the time we left Chef De France, the sun had started going down. The whirlwind trip down, early mornings and late nights were quickly catching up with DH and myself. I had so badly wanted to stay and watch Illuminations, the evening fireworks, but in the end, We left our teens to watch for us (of course they weren't exhausted!) We finished the world tour stopping lastly at the Canada Pavillion. Unfortunately it was all closed down by this point except for the kidcot center. The only person there was the lone Canadian CM in a LUMBER JACKET! OH my, that was surprising that the organizers would choose a lumber jacket to depict Canadians. Shocking really. I would have loved to have seen the movie shown in the Pavillion but I guess both Le Cellier and that movie will have to wait till another year!

On the way out, we passed by this CM. THAT made my night, a Really nice Disney Touch to end the evening with.
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3085.jpg

Back at the Hotel, we found this cute little guy on the wall at the top of the stairs. I didn't know frogs could climb walls!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3088-1.jpg

And DS6 Discovered that TINKERBELL does Too leave gifts for boys!!!
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/forhere2there/Disney%20Cruise%20line/Cruise%20Photos/IMG_3089.jpg

And that ends our Day 5.
Next up... DHS!

[tjbaggott]

I am curious to know how much it you approx to drive down to Orlando? (gas, hotel, food)

We have often wondered ow much it would cost us to drive instead of flying. We are also a family of 5 and we would leave from Montreal. So far I have always found direct flights out of Burlington (2 hr away) between 1100$ to 1400$, would it be less to drive?


Unfortunately, I didn't keep an Accurate record beyond the first night.
I do know we had to stop for gas 3 times on the way down and that was $60.00 USD each time. We stopped in one hotel on the way down, and that was 47.95 plus taxes USD for each of two rooms.
Lunch at Crackerbarrell was $47.85 plus tip on Day one, dinner I honestly don't remember what we did, think maybe we ordered a pizza. Breakfast was included in the room price for the hotel that night.
Day two we stopped for a late lunch in South Carolina and that was $52 plus tax, then again for supper at Subway in Georgia. We didn't stop again till we were at our Hotel in Kissimmee.
So by those estimates:
Gas and food and a place to sleep was roughly $400.00 one way.

In retrospect, we could have spent less on food if we stuck to fast food places, and packed our own snacks and drinks from home.

We did do better on the way home with regards to food. We did pick up snacks and drinks and premade sandwhiches for dinner, and drove straight through to home.

For us, the consideration to drive or fly weighted on the cost difference for our family of 6. We'd have to drive almost 4 hours to the closest US airport (Syracuse) and the best deal we could get would have been about $1560.00 for all 6 of us return. Then the cost of a car rental. So it definately made sense to drive. I also had to weigh the time difference. A 24 hour drive vs a 3 to 4 hour flight.......
We turned it into a vacation within a vacation, the drive. It really was fun and worth the time for us that time, our first time.
I may reconsider that enjoyment factor after we do this again this fall! :) I wonder how many times we can make that drive FUN! Though I must admit, I am looking forward to the next time!

[wld4mky]

Cangrats on your daughter WIN over cancer!!!! Enjoying your TR very much. Glad you had a great time! Can't wait to read more.

[SaratogaShan]

Just found your trip report......Looks great so far, I can't wait to read more. :goodvibes

[JKSWonder]

I've been reading along..it's a great report. I love all the pictures, particularly the picture of you on Test Track! I think I make almost that same face when I ride it! :)

Just wondering, did your husband give you a hard time about wearing matching shirts? I've made shirts for the kids for our October cruise, but so far DH is balking....I'm trying to figure out how to convince him. Or possibly trick him, if it comes to that. ;)

[tjbaggott]

I've been reading along..it's a great report. I love all the pictures, particularly the picture of you on Test Track! I think I make almost that same face when I ride it! :)

Just wondering, did your husband give you a hard time about wearing matching shirts? I've made shirts for the kids for our October cruise, but so far DH is balking....I'm trying to figure out how to convince him. Or possibly trick him, if it comes to that. ;)

LOL, My DH, I love that man oh mine! No he wasn't big on wearing the matching shirts, but didn't give me a hard time about it. And Knowing he didn't like the idea too much, I did do his shirts differently than the kids, and gave him a choice of Disigns. He went along with it because he knew how excited I was about the whole thing! I haven't thought about making any for the trip this year, but will probably make us at least some Halloween ones, or at least the Ones with our Cruise's Logo on it. I asked him the other night, after showing him Jen's Disign for our group, "For our Embarkation day, would you like this on a White Shirt or a Black Shirt?"
I suppose that how I do it, I don't give the choice of yes or no, it's this or that. :) He chose to have the Disign on a White shirt, so I'll probably do up 4 of those for us.
Perhaps if you tell your DH you want matching shirts for one day or two days out of the WHOLE trip, that might make a difference in how he reacts? Hey, if it's a cool disign, really, how CAN they say no? :thumbsup2

[nenner1]

Judy I'm so glad you came back to this TR! :goodvibes

Can't wait to read MORE!!! :thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[Blanche_Neige]

Unfortunately, I didn't keep an Accurate record beyond the first night.
I do know we had to stop for gas 3 times on the way down and that was $60.00 USD each time. We stopped in one hotel on the way down, and that was 47.95 plus taxes USD for each of two rooms.
Lunch at Crackerbarrell was $47.85 plus tip on Day one, dinner I honestly don't remember what we did, think maybe we ordered a pizza. Breakfast was included in the room price for the hotel that night.
Day two we stopped for a late lunch in South Carolina and that was $52 plus tax, then again for supper at Subway in Georgia. We didn't stop again till we were at our Hotel in Kissimmee.
So by those estimates:
Gas and food and a place to sleep was roughly $400.00 one way.

In retrospect, we could have spent less on food if we stuck to fast food places, and packed our own snacks and drinks from home.

We did do better on the way home with regards to food. We did pick up snacks and drinks and premade sandwhiches for dinner, and drove straight through to home.

For us, the consideration to drive or fly weighted on the cost difference for our family of 6. We'd have to drive almost 4 hours to the closest US airport (Syracuse) and the best deal we could get would have been about $1560.00 for all 6 of us return. Then the cost of a car rental. So it definately made sense to drive. I also had to weigh the time difference. A 24 hour drive vs a 3 to 4 hour flight.......
We turned it into a vacation within a vacation, the drive. It really was fun and worth the time for us that time, our first time.
I may reconsider that enjoyment factor after we do this again this fall! :) I wonder how many times we can make that drive FUN! Though I must admit, I am looking forward to the next time!

Thank you!

We just came back from a baseball tournament in Brockville (about 2.5 hr away) a little bit longer I would of considered tying them to the roof rack!!! :rotfl: So we would have to wait a couple of years before attempting such a trip with my kids. :laughing:

[JKSWonder]

LOL, My DH, I love that man oh mine! No he wasn't big on wearing the matching shirts, but didn't give me a hard time about it. And Knowing he didn't like the idea too much, I did do his shirts differently than the kids, and gave him a choice of Disigns. He went along with it because he knew how excited I was about the whole thing! I haven't thought about making any for the trip this year, but will probably make us at least some Halloween ones, or at least the Ones with our Cruise's Logo on it. I asked him the other night, after showing him Jen's Disign for our group, "For our Embarkation day, would you like this on a White Shirt or a Black Shirt?"
I suppose that how I do it, I don't give the choice of yes or no, it's this or that. :) He chose to have the Disign on a White shirt, so I'll probably do up 4 of those for us.
Perhaps if you tell your DH you want matching shirts for one day or two days out of the WHOLE trip, that might make a difference in how he reacts? Hey, if it's a cool disign, really, how CAN they say no? :thumbsup2

I've made white ones for the kids with our Dis Logo, a large design, right in the front middle of the shirt. I'm considering doing black shirts for us, with the Dis Log pocket sized on the upper right corner and just presenting it to him the morning of embarkation as a fait accompli!

[Goldeelox9]

No Updates???? I have enjoyed it so far!

[clayfolks]

I have really enjoyed reading your trip report so far. Please come back and finish it. :)

[mom3girls2000]

I just happened onto this thread, and I am enjoying reading your pre-trip experience, looking forward to the TR itself. You are a VERY creative Mom, let me send you kudos on your creations, and then I also mean your family too!

Congratulations on your dd fighting and beating the cancer monster (as I call it), and to you and your family as well. Too long and too many stories about how that cancer monster has touched my life, but I understand almost completely (thank the Lord I never had to watch it fight any of my kids but plenty other relatives and friends).

I don't think I'd be able to watch anyone I love ride on that sling-shot ride either!