Disney for DD’s 16th with her 6 GFs: Are you Stupid Nuts? (Updated: The End) [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

cj9200

01-06-2010, 02:50 PM

This upcoming weekend DD and I should be at WDW running the half marathon. Numerous injuries have derailed my training. First I busted up my foot pretty bad doing something stupid. After that was over and I could train again, I pulled my hamstring. The hammy is healing nicely just not enough to try to run 13.1 miles. The good news is that when I was training, I was up to 5 miles a run and have quit smoking. DD wanted a treadmill for Christmas which Santa gave her so now I am able to ease my way on getting back on the horse. Am a bit bummed, more for her than me but now my focus has shifted on DD’s Sweet Sixteen Birthday next week.

The boring background information:

This plan started formulating last year when DD was invited to be a “member of the court” for one of her friend’s Quinces party. Quinces is a Hispanic coming out party when a girl turns 15. Trust me, they take this seriously. There were numerous rehearsals involved in order to flawlessly follow certain dances, traditions and rituals. As a parent of a member of the court, how should I say this nicely, it was overly burdensome. The girl’s parents also spent a fortune.

DD was a bit jealous that she was not of Hispanic origin. Italians have nothing like it. Or if they do, I am blissfully unaware. We are also not the debutant type of family. So what to do? Why not go to Disney? I told her she could invite a few friends for the long weekend right before her birthday. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Plans started to come together and I am about to embark on a weekend trip with 7 teenagers. Just thinking about that makes me want to take a Valium.

Four of the seven participants are from the JV Soccer team. DD is number 15.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Soccer/IMG_6087.jpg

This was taken just after she stole the ball. They are having a good season with only one loss.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Soccer/IMG_6071.jpg

At the 11 month window I reserved a Grand Villa at the Boardwalk. Never stayed in a GV before so that alone should be interesting. I will pick up the kids after school next Friday, drive to Orlando and check into the BWV on Saturday.

Boardwalk. Our Home Away from Home
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%2012-08/WDW12-07AMF060.jpg

The plan:

Friday is drive and chill day. We have reservations to spend the night at the Hilton on Buena Vista Drive. I was able to get a great rate ($90 on Travelocity). Dinner will most likely be off site.

Saturday we check into the Boardwalk. I tried to volunteer the girls that morning to Give Kids the World but they were fully staffed that day. The idea came from a group on the Dis Board that got together and did this during the Dis meet weekend. For those of you that do not know, GKTW is a great organization that brings families with terminally ill children to Orlando so the whole family can have a special experience visiting the parks. You can check them out at www.gktw.org. Maybe next trip I can plan a little better and inquire about it earlier.

So, don’t know what to do while we wait until the room is ready. Maybe miniature golf. Swimming is out because we are Floridians and no self respecting Floridian goes into a pool past September. They have tea at 2:00 at the Grand Floridian. DD had the choice between that or California Grill and she did not hesitate to pick the tea. I will probably do what has become the ritual when she has tea and visit the Tambu Lounge at the Poly for crab cakes and martinis. After that is the surprise, an Illuminations birthday cruise complete with cake and decorations. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.

Sunday I will let them loose on the parks. Heaven help all of you that run into them that day. We have lunch at 50’s Prime Time where I hope our “cousin” gives her a hard time. Most likely though it will be me suffering the brunt of the grief. After lunch, they will again be free to roam the parks until closing.

Monday we will have breakfast in the room and then head home.

Well, that is the plan. It is unlikely that I will bring the computer so there will be no live updates. If I make it through I will try to post our adventures here. I am actually pretty confident that I will make it but not so sure of the rest of them. We may “lose” one or two along the way.

Hopefully soon after we come back I will start with the cast of characters and our first day. The title I imagine will be: I have duct tape and am not afraid to use it.

Wish me luck.

Here are the links to TR updates

The Cast: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35092533&postcount=44

Driving up and the Hilton: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35120222&postcount=57

Checking in: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35130259&postcount=63

Tea at 2:00: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35138722&postcount=68

Finally the GV Part 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35148230&postcount=82

GV Part 2 The Girls' reaction: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35182149&postcount=123

The Surprise, our Illumination’s Cruise Part 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35206515&postcount=141

Part 2: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35206698&postcount=142

Short update post cruise: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35237930&postcount=154

Leash of Shame: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35368224&postcount=163

Park Day Part 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35382998&postcount=168

Park Day Part 2: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35645550&postcount=186

Finis: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35759852&postcount=204

dgaston

01-06-2010, 02:55 PM

GoofItUp

01-06-2010, 02:57 PM

Have tons of fun! (Well, the girls at least!)

Sounds like this will be much more fun than a Quinceanera! We have friends who are Hispanic that offered to plan the Q for their daughter or let her take a friend to Hawaii. Being the smart girl she is, she jumped on the latter offer and ALL were much happier. If a weekend in a GV at BWV is the Italian version of a Q, I'm listing myself as Italian! (Being the mutt I am, I have no traditions for a 15th birthday. And, since I'm well past that age and have sons only, it still won't do many any good. Nuts!)

Anyways, looking forward to hearing about how the weekend went!

Ham Ham

01-06-2010, 05:47 PM

YAY - So glad you have finally posted! I've been lurking since end of December to see if your plans were underway.

I like the comment about swimming - -we Canadians look forward to swimming in Florida in the winter - the water is always warm for us!

Happy Sweet 16 to your daughter.

Wishing you lots of luck and anxiously awaiting your trip report.

Kim :cheer2:

LIFERBABE

01-06-2010, 06:46 PM

:goodvibesLove your title!!! :lmao:

Sounds like a Super Sweet 16!!! You could easily spend a ton on a Sweet 16 party and it would not be as cool or memorable as a Grand Villa at BWV and a day at the parks and all that you have planned. The Tea sounds awesome!:thumbsup2 and the Cruise!!:cloud9:

DVC is not only about vacations but it is so nice to have for "life events" like this.

We just hosted Christmas in a THV, Family Reunion at SSR in 2007, Family Cruise in 2010 and looking forward to graduation parties at DVC too!

kikiq

01-06-2010, 08:52 PM

YEA!!! The big weekend is almost here. I have been waiting for this weekend. Have to get my fix now that my DD has come home from her WDW CP. I'm in.

Happy Birthday to your DD.

DMKEDM

01-07-2010, 08:41 AM

Goofy442

01-07-2010, 09:20 AM

People might say you are crazy for taking so many girls but think of the memories you will be making. Before you know it the weekend will be over.
Enjoy your weekend with the girls!

Goofy442

01-07-2010, 09:24 AM

YEA!!! The big weekend is almost here. I have been waiting for this weekend. Have to get my fix now that my DD has come home from her WDW CP. I'm in.

Happy Birthday to your DD.

My son did the CP twice and loved it so much that he changed to a college in Florida so he could still work part time at WDW.

kid-at-heart

01-07-2010, 09:37 AM

You are an awesome Dad! Thank you for sharing your daughter's birthday celebration.

cj9200

01-07-2010, 05:22 PM

I am so glad to see your pre-"stupid nuts" report. You are definitely a brave man. I've never risked more than one friend at a time for each (adult) kid and that became like herding cats. I look forward to the rest of the story, and hope you find good martinis and/or Valium;)

PS I've enjoyed each of your other reports, too.

Brave maybe, dumb definitely. I have a tendency to open my mouth without thinking clearly. This was one of those occasions. Since the van will be parked while we are there, I will have no hindrance to having a martini or two. Thanks Debbie for letting me know you enjoyed the other trips.

Have tons of fun! (Well, the girls at least!)

Sounds like this will be much more fun than a Quinceanera! We have friends who are Hispanic that offered to plan the Q for their daughter or let her take a friend to Hawaii. Being the smart girl she is, she jumped on the latter offer and ALL were much happier. If a weekend in a GV at BWV is the Italian version of a Q, I'm listing myself as Italian! (Being the mutt I am, I have no traditions for a 15th birthday. And, since I'm well past that age and have sons only, it still won't do many any good. Nuts!)

Anyways, looking forward to hearing about how the weekend went!

Smart parents and a smart child. The Quinceanera was a pain. The girls were stressed out and some of them almost revolted (DD included) and debated showing up or not. Consider yourself an honorary Italian. I am only half Pisan with the other half being a mutt. It could be worse. DD is ¼ Italian, ¼ German, ¼ Dutch and ¼ Mutt. Think of the conflicts there. One part of her being is always trying to invade another part.

YAY - So glad you have finally posted! I've been lurking since end of December to see if your plans were underway.

I like the comment about swimming - -we Canadians look forward to swimming in Florida in the winter - the water is always warm for us!

Happy Sweet 16 to your daughter.

Wishing you lots of luck and anxiously awaiting your trip report.

Kim :cheer2:

Thanks Kim, I will pass on your wishes on to my daughter. I used to live in Hollywood, FL and for some reason it was the Canadian Rivera. Many of our neighbors to the north vacationed over the winter and some of them had second homes there. When my friends and I went down to the beach we would marvel at the people playing in the ocean. We of course were more sensible and had sweaters and jackets on.

:goodvibesLove your title!!! :lmao:

Sounds like a Super Sweet 16!!! You could easily spend a ton on a Sweet 16 party and it would not be as cool or memorable as a Grand Villa at BWV and a day at the parks and all that you have planned. The Tea sounds awesome!:thumbsup2 and the Cruise!!:cloud9:

DVC is not only about vacations but it is so nice to have for "life events" like this.

We just hosted Christmas in a THV, Family Reunion at SSR in 2007, Family Cruise in 2010 and looking forward to graduation parties at DVC too!

I agree with you. While this will not be a cheap trip, there is no way I would have paid rack rate for a GV, even if I could get a reservation. One of our best trips was when both sets of grandparents joined us at the Boardwalk for DD’s 4th birthday. They stayed in studios while we had a 1 BR. They all loved the resort and dinner at the California Grill went over well. DD’s Grandfather on her mom’s side had throat cancer surgery and could not eat anything you had to chew. We went out to dinner with them at a nice restaurant the month before the trip and while we had appetizers, entre and desert, he had soup, soup and soup. Before our dinner at CG, I talked to the chef and he prepared a special menu for grandpa that was better than our meals. Talk about service. It was also where I found out that my dad loved IASW which he saw at the NY World’s Fair in the 60’s. Dad, come on, not IASW. Three of them have since passed away, but we have memories and pictures of that trip. My hope is that 20 years from now when they meet up, one topic of conversation will be, “Remember when your dad took us to Disney for your 16th birthday. That was a great trip. Too bad he had to be institutionalized half way through.”

One of my goals it so stay at a THV. Ever since I was a kid I loved the idea of staying there.

YEA!!! The big weekend is almost here. I have been waiting for this weekend. Have to get my fix now that my DD has come home from her WDW CP. I'm in.

Happy Birthday to your DD.

I will pass on your wishes to the birthday girl. Hoping that DD may sometime join the College Program. Good excuse to go up there.

kikiq

01-07-2010, 09:05 PM

I will pass on your wishes to the birthday girl. Hoping that DD may sometime join the College Program. Good excuse to go up there.

My DD was there for 7 months and I visited her 4 times :) DVC REALLY came in handy. And one of those trips, we went to Epcot once. Spent the rest of the time at SSR relaxing while she was working and just talked in the villa when she was off, just like home.

Will be waiting for your TR. Love how you are making memories.

bumbershoot

01-07-2010, 10:22 PM

Noise levels: Everyone agreed ahead of time that I was the "judge" of what's "too loud" (teenagers can't tell)...especially at night...so when I said "pot it down" they had to comply...they did...

Possibly the best idea ever when dealing with a group of girls. And I say this, being a former young girl, LOL. We once nearly drove a dad to the brink of insanity b/c of noise levels during a slumber party, poor guy. And we were only 8 going on 9 at the time; he probably saved the universe by disallowing future slumber parties! (though strangely he truly seemed to think that *sleep* was supposed to happen at slumber parties...no one told US that!)

DD is ¼ Italian, ¼ German, ¼ Dutch and ¼ Mutt. Think of the conflicts there. One part of her being is always trying to invade another part.

:rotfl: I'm mainly Irish with a bit of British; I can comprehend the conflict!

My hope is that 20 years from now when they meet up, one topic of conversation will be, “Remember when your dad took us to Disney for your 16th birthday. That was a great trip. Too bad he had to be institutionalized half way through.”

With the exception of the going off the deep end part... My mom spent time with me and two friends our freshman year of college during spring break. My mom did the lovely thing of moving to Miami FL just as I started college, and this was '88, so of course it was still fun for Spring Break. :) Anyway, my friends still will talk about it, and other times they got to spend with my mom, quite fondly. :)

Now I'm going to go read your other reports.

cj9200

01-08-2010, 03:04 PM

Just a note to say "hakuna matata"...I took six teenagers (DS and friends) a few years ago and it was just about the best Disney trip ever!

Some tips that worked for us:

DDP! With the DDP I was able to give the kids flexibility to roam w/out risking not being there to be fed on Mom's dime…

Check-in times enforced by a "nuclear option:" ...anyone late checking in (regardless of reason--waiting for a bus didn't count; slow food lines, long ride lines--NOTHING was an acceptable excuse) had to walk around til the next scheduled check-in time "tethered" to me on one of those baby "leashes"...

Noise levels: Everyone agreed ahead of time that I was the "judge" of what's "too loud" (teenagers can't tell)...especially at night...so when I said "pot it down" they had to comply...they did...

It was a GREAT trip...3 of the 6 kids had never been before and we had so much fun...

You'll love it!

We looked into the DDP and decided against it. For what most of them eat, it would not be worth it. Breakfast will be grab and go in the room and most of the other meals we will be together. I did let them know that for snacks they are on their own.

I love, love, love your nuclear option. Sorry, but I am stealing it. I intend to call it the leash of shame. Beats my duct tape idea. Although duct tape will be available if needed.

Noise is my biggest worry. They understand consideration of others but they may not be able to contain themselves. I am sending a letter to each of them to go over the rules and one of them is about noise.

Congrats on surviving six teens at Disney. Can I put you on speed dial in case I need advice? One added thing that you did not have to deal with boys is makeup. I have found that getting ready in the morning is infinitely more troublesome with girls. When I was that age, I would pick up a shirt off the floor and if it did not smell too bad, I was good to go. True story that I have written about before. DD and her GF spent over an hour putting on makeup to go to a water park. A WATER PARK! After the first ride, they looked like drowned rats. I had a chuckle over that one.

I think most if not all of the kids have gone to WDW. Need to check on that though. It would be fun to have some first timers with us. For those that are unaware, DD will make sure Beverly is in their future. Anyway, my motto will try to be hakuna matata.

People might say you are crazy for taking so many girls but think of the memories you will be making. Before you know it the weekend will be over.
Enjoy your weekend with the girls!

Thanks. I think we will. Many pictures will be taken to keep those memories alive.

You are an awesome Dad! Thank you for sharing your daughter's birthday celebration.

Awesome? You are too generous. Stupid nuts maybe but I don’t think awesome fits. Part of writing a TR is to entertain myself and maybe those of you that virtually join me on the odyssey. The other part is to have a record that DD may enjoy later. Worth the effort.

Possibly the best idea ever when dealing with a group of girls. And I say this, being a former young girl, LOL. We once nearly drove a dad to the brink of insanity b/c of noise levels during a slumber party, poor guy. And we were only 8 going on 9 at the time; he probably saved the universe by disallowing future slumber parties! (though strangely he truly seemed to think that *sleep* was supposed to happen at slumber parties...no one told US that!)

With the exception of the going off the deep end part... My mom spent time with me and two friends our freshman year of college during spring break. My mom did the lovely thing of moving to Miami FL just as I started college, and this was '88, so of course it was still fun for Spring Break. :) Anyway, my friends still will talk about it, and other times they got to spend with my mom, quite fondly. :)

Now I'm going to go read your other reports.

Molly, I have a feeling you would have been the one that I would need to keep an eye on. If I was that dad, I see the leash of shame being invoked. That or duct tape.

Great story about your mom. Hope mine turns out as well. Be forewarned, read the other reports at your own risk.

Tinks "SS"

01-08-2010, 04:18 PM

DMKEDM

01-08-2010, 05:19 PM

You can't steal the "nuclear option" (leash of shame) because I freely give it to you...it was, probably, the single most brilliant idea I've ever had!

And phone calls/emails/DisBoard posts to share experiences (and get & give advice) are most welcome...

You're right: I've escaped the make-up issues...instead, I got to deal with a bunch of boys dropping toy helicopters off the balcony to see if they might fly...sigh...but they had so much fun; did no harm (even managed to contain the noise level); and were prepared to cease and desist had it bothered anyone around us...

Our group was "mixed" (3 of each)--but I'm happy to report I also escaped boyfriend-girlfriend issues. Truthfully, that bothered me more, ahead of time, in terms of potential problems, than anything else...

I find I'm just a bit jealous reading thru this thread...it brings back such precious memories...I envy you your upcoming trip! I've done (and expect to do more) DS-friends trips since, but he's an adult now, and so are his friends...there's just nothing like the exuberance of teenagers at Disney...

This trip is absolutely guaranteed to be a memory-maker...embrace it; cherish it; and take a lot of valium with you, too!

kdzgon

01-09-2010, 08:48 AM

I just found your trip reports last night - I must say I have enjoyed them. As you said you were not likely taking the computer, you are probably reading this after your return. Thus, I hope the marathon went well (although in actuality it is on right now).

I get the impression from your threads that you feel it necessary to use your FPs during the actual stated hour only. In case you are (or, for that matter anyone reading this is) unaware, under current SOP at WDW you can use your FP any time that same day after the FP start time. Hence, if your FP is for 11:20 to 12:20, you can use that FP any time after 11:20 until the close of that park that same day. I apologize if you already knew this, but it's a quite helpful hint so I'm posting it "just in case".

Looking forward to the updates on this trip!

DMKEDM

01-09-2010, 10:13 AM

Just reread your original post...we may be there at the same time!

We leave tomorrow (Sun, 1/10) for a week at AKV (Jambo)...zap me a PM if you want "supervisory relief" from the teenagers...I love 'em!

cj9200

01-10-2010, 10:40 AM

You can't steal the "nuclear option" (leash of shame) because I freely give it to you...it was, probably, the single most brilliant idea I've ever had!

You're right: I've escaped the make-up issues...instead, I got to deal with a bunch of boys dropping toy helicopters off the balcony to see if they might fly...sigh...but they had so much fun; did no harm (even managed to contain the noise level); and were prepared to cease and desist had it bothered anyone around us...

Our group was "mixed" (3 of each)--but I'm happy to report I also escaped boyfriend-girlfriend issues. Truthfully, that bothered me more, ahead of time, in terms of potential problems, than anything else...

This trip is absolutely guaranteed to be a memory-maker...embrace it; cherish it; and take a lot of valium with you, too!

Helicopters off the balcony sounds like more fun than putting on eye shadow. There is absolutely no way I could take a mixed trip. Valium, martinis and the leash of shame would not be enough.

I get the impression from your threads that you feel it necessary to use your FPs during the actual stated hour only. In case you are (or, for that matter anyone reading this is) unaware, under current SOP at WDW you can use your FP any time that same day after the FP start time. Hence, if your FP is for 11:20 to 12:20, you can use that FP any time after 11:20 until the close of that park that same day. I apologize if you already knew this, but it's a quite helpful hint so I'm posting it "just in case".

Looking forward to the updates on this trip!

Still here because I pulled my hamstring and was out of the race. Have to hand it to the runners yesterday and today because it is freaking cold in Miami. Add the rain yesterday it had to be miserable. Congrats to all that started, let alone finished.

Thanks for posting the tip. It is a good one. I knew about it but there may be others out there that did not. We usually want to get on the ride as soon as the window opens, so we stop what we are doing and hit the attraction.

Just reread your original post...we may be there at the same time!

We leave tomorrow (Sun, 1/10) for a week at AKV (Jambo)...zap me a PM if you want "supervisory relief" from the teenagers...I love 'em!

If you see this, I hope you have a great time. Would not want to ruin your vacation in order for you to supervise the mob. If you happen to bump into 7 girls, with maybe one dad in tow, say hi, it is probably us. If it is just 7 girls running around chastise them for something. Tell them that dad has spies all over WDW.

LSchrow

01-10-2010, 05:46 PM

..there's just nothing like the exuberance of teenagers at Disney...

that's so true...i love watching how excited teens get at wdw!
yes, little ones can be cute to watch at wdw, but teenagers will actually remember the trip for the rest of their lives :)

they can be very entertaining, tho never, ever look directly at them ;)

it's great that you are keeping them in check, but allowing them to wander a bit too....bet your dd comes home saying you're the best parent ever!!

cj9200

01-10-2010, 11:31 PM

Yeah! I can't wait to hear about the trip!! They are gonna have so much fun and so will you! I really wish my dad had been as cool as you are. Hopefully she realizes it, if not she will when she gets a little older.

Yes take lots of pics! especially ones that can be used as blackmail for a later date. ;)

Tinks, sorry I did not respond to your post, I read it when you posted and just missed it when it was time to respond. I am determined to have fun and they will also or they will have to walk home. At times, DD does not really think I am that cool but I think this is one of those memory trips. There will be plenty of pics and have recruited an accomplice within the group. Thinking of slipping her a few bucks to take the blackmail pictures when I am not with them.

DMKEDM

01-11-2010, 05:03 AM

We're at AKV/Jambo now...got here yesterday...just in from "defeat" at my attempt to hike around AKL/AKV for exercise...just too cold for my taste/energy level! Last night the weather folks were saying it was going down to 25 last night...the weather on right now says it's 30...I'm feeling "wimpy"...maybe I'll bundle up (have all my northern clime stuff w/me) and try again...

How did the long weekend wind up? Was a totally grand time had by all?

I've got two "young 20s" w/me now and their exuberance--while a tad moderated over the levels during teenage years--is contagious...we had fun yesterday, despite a challenging travel day (the gridlock on WDW roads was a sight to behold...we arrived in the middle of the marathon being run and there was either a sea of people or bumper-to-bumper cars everywhere we looked)...

Can't wait to read about the girls' adventures (including make-up)...

lisaviolet

01-11-2010, 05:58 PM

Yeah! Another laughfest is here.

But I will say you're seeming a tad more relaxed. Have you been meditating? :lmao:

Or could it be this :laughing: :surfweb::

Just thinking about that makes me want to take a Valium.

.

cj9200

01-13-2010, 06:14 AM

that's so true...i love watching how excited teens get at wdw! they can be very entertaining, tho never, ever look directly at them ;)

That reminds me of the cruise line commercial where they have a shot of a teen and they show her smiling and then it is gone. Teens are entertaining and you are right, do not look directly at them. One of my best stories is the makeup going to a water park. WHAT? I laughed forever after they went on the first slide and the hair and makeup was a mess. Their comeback was the makeup is waterproof. Yea, right.

I've got two "young 20s" w/me now and their exuberance--while a tad moderated over the levels during teenage years--is contagious...we had fun yesterday, despite a challenging travel day (the gridlock on WDW roads was a sight to behold...we arrived in the middle of the marathon being run and there was either a sea of people or bumper-to-bumper cars everywhere we looked)...

Can't wait to read about the girls' adventures (including make-up)...

Almost glad that I had the hamstring pull and missed the half marathon. It was miserable down here in Miami that day, cold and raining. Can only imagine how it was out on the course. Glad you are having a great trip and am looking forward to hearing more. Have a great time.

Yeah! Another laughfest is here.

But I will say you're seeming a tad more relaxed. Have you been meditating? :lmao:

Or could it be this :laughing: :surfweb::…Valium.

Welcome back. You have it right, I have been medicating. Oh, I mean meditating. Yea, that’s right meditating.

PS. She scored a great goal yesterday in their last soccer game.

christa112

01-13-2010, 07:08 AM

OP--I hope you have a great trip with your daughter and her friends. This will definately be a birthday trip they all remember.

p.s. That totally sounds like something my dad would have done for me. Girls will always love their dad's for doing special things like that for them.

Chellymouse

01-13-2010, 06:09 PM

cj9200 I cannot WAIT for this TR!! I think stupid-nuts is an understatement! You are a very brave soul! May the force be with you! (and the valium and martinis be plentiful!)

lisaviolet

01-14-2010, 12:25 AM

Welcome back. You have it right, I have been medicating. Oh, I mean meditating. Yea, that’s right meditating.

Oh man. :lmao:

Although I am giving up hope on the meditating. I actually read the pre trip to get all ready. Ohm and duct tape aren't actually first cousins.

And speaking of crazy and hilarious behaviour -

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee26/DVC_Mike/DVCMike_2010_01_13_133048.jpg

This pic - on DVC Mike's TR (which I just lifted - sorry Mike :rolleyes1)- nearly sent me into hysterics. Does she actually read your TRs? Is she sure on the tea? :rotfl: She's obviously a risk taker.

cj9200

01-14-2010, 06:44 AM

Are you talking about this picture and comment from our summer trip?

Maybe I can lock them in the birdcage
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%206-09/IMG_5108.jpg

She knows this time there will be others ahead of the line to be locked in the birdcage. Have to get pics of them at various spots at the Grand Floridian including here. Some of the kids are freaking out about the tea. DD got a frantic call last night from one of them for fashion advice. “I have a skirt is that OK.” I got on the phone and told her to relax. She responded, “I am Hispanic, I don’t know anything about tea.” Too funny. The other big debate is can I wear jeans? God help me.

You are right, meditating is not my thing. I went to a staff conference a couple of years ago and one of the mandatory seminars was a Stress relief meditation session. While the facilitator was talking about visualizing our work on the desk catching fire (Work catching fire? That is supposed to relax me?), my left leg was bouncing up and down thinking when is this torture going to be over? We were told to keep our eyes closed but I kept glancing around at other people with similar personalities and the expressions were the same. When is nonsense ending so we can get some real work done. So on this trip, medication is a definite, meditation not so much.

kid-at-heart

01-14-2010, 10:35 AM

DenLo

01-14-2010, 02:21 PM

Please cut me a little slack as I've been sick :sick: and the fevers and headaches are affecting my thought process and vision. But have you already gone to WDW for your DD's sweet sixteen? Or is it still coming up?

And if you have gone when do we actually get the trip report? My days are just dragging here thanks to this bug I've picked up. Sure could use one of your entertaining trip reports to make my day go quicker.

I'll try not to whine anymore. :confused: But each day I have checked the DIS for your trip report, and now I'm not even sure when the trip starts. :confused:

cj9200

01-14-2010, 07:57 PM

I was telling my daughter Sarah about the "nuclear option" (leash of shame) and her reply (Sarah age 12) was "When do I get to take my friends?" . That will teach me to share conversations from disbroads friends. :faint: Thanks to you cj9200 I think I have agreed to sponsor a gaggle of teenagers at WDW in three or four years. If that be the case I will definitely be bringing both the leash of shame (thanks DMKEDM for the idea) and the duct tape.

Do not blame me, it was not my fault. Tell Sarah that I think it would be an excellent idea for mom to take her and 20 or so friends to WDW. Think of the memories. Do it this year, why wait? As an aside, one mom just dropped of her daughter’s bag and asked how many are going. DD answered 7 plus dad. Her response was, “Oh my.”

Please cut me a little slack as I've been sick :sick: and the fevers and headaches are affecting my thought process and vision. But have you already gone to WDW for your DD's sweet sixteen? Or is it still coming up?

And if you have gone when do we actually get the trip report? My days are just dragging here thanks to this bug I've picked up. Sure could use one of your entertaining trip reports to make my day go quicker.

I'll try not to whine anymore. :confused: But each day I have checked the DIS for your trip report, and now I'm not even sure when the trip starts. :confused:

Feel better. We leave tomorrow from school at 3:00. I may need to bring the computer for work so there may be a post or two about the trip while we are there. It may happen but don’t count on it. Right now I am doing laundry and will pack later tonight. We may go see the frog at 10:00. One of the monsters is spending the night and the two of them are already driving me nuts.

Check the national news this weekend to see if I lose it. “Deranged dad takes Mickey hostage in an attempt to go to jail instead of being stuck with his daughter and her friends.” News at 11:00.

lisaviolet

01-14-2010, 10:37 PM

She knows this time there will be others ahead of the line to be locked in the birdcage. .

How incredibly lovely. :lmao::rotfl:

While the facilitator was talking about visualizing our work on the desk catching fire (Work catching fire? That is supposed to relax me?)

Of course it was - what's wrong with you?

_______________________________________________

Caught the goal. Midfield or Forward? I used to think that soccer was the absolute biggest yawn. I know. But then I saw some rep teams live. A whole new world.

We are all waiting for the fun to begin. popcorn:: At your expense, of course.

So please have fun. :laughing:

dopeygirl76

01-15-2010, 07:09 AM

Check the national news this weekend to see if I lose it. “Deranged dad takes Mickey hostage in an attempt to go to jail instead of being stuck with his daughter and her friends.” News at 11:00.

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

I have been reading along and enjoying the pretrip info so much I dont think I can stand it until y ou get back!! However the anticipation of the outcome may hold me over.

Enjoy!! Good Luck!! and remember you are in a MAGIC place!!!

cj9200

01-15-2010, 11:32 AM

It offically starts in about 30 minutes. Still some last minute things to pack, drop off the dog and pick up the van. Picking up the bags went well. Everyone was ready and waiting. See you next week.

kid-at-heart

01-15-2010, 11:37 AM

You :crazy2::drive::drinking1 . Us :bored::surfweb:popcorn:: .

DenLo

01-15-2010, 12:31 PM

Feel better. We leave tomorrow from school at 3:00. I may need to bring the computer for work so there may be a post or two about the trip while we are there. It may happen but don’t count on it. Right now I am doing laundry and will pack later tonight. We may go see the frog at 10:00. One of the monsters is spending the night and the two of them are already driving me nuts.

Check the national news this weekend to see if I lose it. “Deranged dad takes Mickey hostage in an attempt to go to jail instead of being stuck with his daughter and her friends.” News at 11:00.

:rotfl:

. . . . . . .

It offically starts in about 30 minutes. Still some last minute things to pack, drop off the dog and pick up the van. Picking up the bags went well. Everyone was ready and waiting. See you next week.

WooHoo! Have a great trip and remember to take sanity breaks for yourself, like the one you plan to go the Poly bar while the girls go to GF for tea. Thanks for the kinds words, feel better already. :thumbsup2 Post when and if you can. I would imagine you will have too much to do to post for us.

dgaston

01-15-2010, 01:35 PM

cj9200: I so enjoy your sense of humor. Love the fashion advice session and the line about being Hispanic and knowing nothing about tea. This will be a memorable weekend for sure.

cj9200

01-16-2010, 10:12 PM

Thought I would drop a note to report I am still alive and well. Most of the kids are also. The drive up was a horror but things have gone better since then. It is currently raining but is supposed to stop early tomorrow am. The leash of shame has been threatened but not invoked yet.

lisaviolet

01-16-2010, 10:17 PM

You :crazy2::drive::drinking1 . Us :bored::surfweb:popcorn:: .

Love it! :goodvibes

Thought I would drop a note to report I am still alive and well. Most of the kids are also. The drive up was a horror but things have gone better since then. It is currently raining but is suppose to stop early tomorrow am. The leash of shame has been threatened but not invoked yet.

:scared1: and :lmao: on the bold. I think the tea was today, wasn't it? ;):rotfl:

lisaviolet

01-16-2010, 10:24 PM

The drive up was a horror but things have gone better since then.

So many places to go with this. Could be weather. Could be traffic. Could be incessant squawking. Could be radio and singing a blarin'. Could be tea talk en espanol. Could have forgotten the meds. So many places. :lmao: popcorn::

Have fun! And can't wait to see the GV. They must be loving that.

DMKEDM

01-17-2010, 04:26 AM

As you're arriving, we're leaving...it's been a terrific week (even including the freezing temps at the week's beginning)...I'll leave the pixie dust that so liberally sprinkled our days for you...

THings got really busy here at the World yesterday....all those "non-lines" (fast passes for 9:41 at 9:35 at Space Mountain!) of earlier this week are but a memory now...still, good times no doubt await you...

Have a GREAT time; look forward to hearing about it when you get back...

cj9200

01-18-2010, 11:01 PM

I SURVIVIED. More surprising is that all the kids did too. Tried to leave a couple at a rest stop but had to slow down for traffic and they caught up to us. I told the other kids to ignore them but they were compassionate and opened the door so they could dive in.

The trip had its ups and downs, highs and lows, zigs and zags. It was the best of times and the worst of times. Wait, I think I read that somewhere. Any more clichés I can add?

A good time was had by all and was well worth doing. We did some fun stuff together and they did some more fun stuff (for both them and me) alone as a group. The trip report will start in a couple of days. To paraphrase Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, “I’m kinda tired. I think I will go to bed now.”

Chellymouse

01-20-2010, 05:00 PM

Can't wait for the TR! Glad to hear that everyone is alive and well! popcorn::popcorn::

cj9200

01-20-2010, 06:42 PM

OK, we are back from a wonderful trip. I made it through the weekend. Did all the kids? Yes they did but you will have to see how close some of them came to not making it.

This all started because DD has had a tough year and a half. If you read the New Year’s TR, you will know that her mom is not doing well health wise. Adding to that was getting into her preferred high school which was a painful odyssey in itself. After the Quinces party, in what I thought would be a pick me up for her, I suggested that we take a few friends to Disney for her 16th birthday. Again, was I stupid nuts?

At 11 months, I made a reservation for a Grand Villa at the Boardwalk. Things then started to fall into place and after many months of anticipation we were ready to hit the World. Bought Florida resident, one-day park hoppers for five of the kids at AAA. $500 plus for those. DD, GF#1 and I had park days left from our summer trip. As we got closer, made a reservation for the van, the vet for my better child (the dog) and sent invite letters to the participants’ parents to outline what we were doing, were we were going to be and how to get in touch with me.

She is much more loyal than her older sister.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6092.jpg

So, who are the participants you may ask? Here is the Gang minus me.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6336.jpg

The cast of characters:

Me AKA Dad: In my mind, I am still a kid even though the bones creak a little louder. Single Dad and a Disney fan since watching Uncle Walt every Sunday night as he introduced a new show. Just to let you know, I was extremely young then and they were probably reruns. Lost count of the number of trips I have taken to the World. DVC member since 1996 and it was the best money I ever spent.

DD AKA Princess, Pooh, or Hey You: Has inherited Dad’s love for the mouse. All around good kid (usually), gets good grades and is a bit of a risk taker. She has been looking forward to this trip for a long time.

The Mob AKA The Herd: After riding Safari and listening about elephants (“A matriarchal dominated society that rules their domain”), they were so named.

GF #1 AKA the whiner: DD’s yin to her yang. They actually have matching Mickey ears representing the Tao symbol. This will be the third time she has gone to Disney with us. Their last trip is outlined in the link below my signature.

This is DD’s Mickey ears. 1’s are the opposite, if a part on DD’s is white, hers is black and vice-a-versa. DD brought hers with the intention of taking a picture of the two of them but alas 1 forgot her ears. When she realized that she forgot them she called her mom and asked her to bring them to school. The response was what I would have said, “Are you crazy?”
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0189.jpg

Here they are enjoying watching Bolt during the summer at the BC Solarium. To keep her in line, 1 was threatened replacement on our regular Disney trips with one of the other girls who behave better.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%206-09/IMG_5598.jpg

GF #2 AKA Moe: 2 is DD’s soccer buddy. Last summer they spent two weeks at a sleep away soccer camp. Always friends but since that experience, they hang out together more. DD, 1 and 2 became the dominant members of the mob/herd.

GF #3 AKA the shutterbug: She was the designated photographer on the trip and took many of the pics that will be posted in the TR. Did a great job. I scared the h*** out of 3 once when I picked up her and DD from school. I was in a hurry to get back to work but 3 needed a ride home and DD volunteered me. Plus they were late at the pick-up area. I was a bit miffed. OK a lot miffed and DD heard it from me while 3 cowered in the back seat. I think it was the talk about baseball bats. She has since seen me in non-miffed mode so the fear factor has diminished. Too bad, it could have been useful on this trip. “Don’t get him mad, he has baseball bats.”

GF #4 AKA Curly: 4 is a good friend to 3 and is part of the pack. I didn’t really know her well before the trip, so we shall see if it works out.

GF #5 AKA the suck up: 5 drives me nuts. Think Eddie Haskell from the Leave it to Beaver show. The old timers out there will know what I am talking about. Again, I was young and they were repeats. I don’t think she does it on purpose it is just that she does. This was the Quinces girl in the first post. In Middle School, I took her and DD on an air boat trip to the Everglades for a science project. While the guide was talking about the ecosystem, she shouts out, “Look at the pretty bird.” As everyone was staring at us, my response was, “Hey, she is not my kid.” If you were betting on the one that is most likely to be left behind at a rest stop, put your money on 5.

GF #6 AKA Larry: 6 was a late entry to our little odyssey. She had a volleyball game over the weekend and wasn’t sure her parents would let her skip it. Of course since it would cost me more money, she was allowed to go. DD and 6 were in the same homeroom in 1st Grade. At the time, I worked just past downtown Miami and the elementary school was way southwest of the house. 6’s mom and I were always the first parents to be at pre-care so we could drop off the kids and speed off to work.

Actually, they are all pretty good kids and overachievers. 1,2,3,4 and 6 went to the same schools and were in the same academic program with DD since the 1st or 2nd Grade. 5 joined them in Middle school. So they are really tight. Their childhood memories are collective ones because they do not really remember not being with each other. Pity the boy that messes with the affections with one of them. He will feel the wrath of the others. I have seen it and it is not pretty.

So that is who joined DD for her birthday. This is a long a post just introducing the cast and more pre stuff. Ending now and will start the next one with the trip up and first day. Read on at your own risk as you travel into the teenager zone. Believe me it is more scary than the Tower of Terror. Promise more pics in future posts.

Up Next: When are we going to get there? AKA I REALLY DO HAVE DUCT TAPE.

LIFERBABE

01-20-2010, 08:06 PM

Hilarious!!!:lmao:

Im in!!popcorn::

FreezinRafiki

01-20-2010, 08:53 PM

Fantastic! I already know the outcome, but I'm reading along anyway! :thumbsup2

DenLo

01-20-2010, 09:17 PM

I'm hooked and ready for the next installment. I have to admit I would have reneged on the offer that so many girls could go. It just makes me shutter every time I think about the whole trip. :scared1:

Disney Princess

01-20-2010, 09:22 PM

I am LOVING it! I love the Eddie Haskell comment - I watched them as reruns too; sometimes I still do on TV Land. Can't wait to read more. :rotfl:

cj9200

01-20-2010, 10:14 PM

Hilarious!!!:lmao:

Im in!!popcorn::

Yes, it is funny when visiting from afar.

Fantastic! I already know the outcome, but I'm reading along anyway! :thumbsup2

There are some twists coming up.

I'm hooked and ready for the next installment. I have to admit I would have reneged on the offer that so many girls could go. It just makes me shutter every time I think about the whole trip. :scared1:

Come on, you could do it. If I can make it, you can. I used vodka instead of shuttering though.

I am LOVING it! I love the Eddie Haskell comment - I watched them as reruns too; sometimes I still do on TV Land. Can't wait to read more. :rotfl:

Love TV Land. Whenever you see Eddie pandering to Mrs. Cleaver, think of number 5.

Goofy442

01-21-2010, 09:53 AM

Had to go back and catch up with your other TR :surfweb: because this one had me :rotfl2:. Can't wait for the rest of the TR.:woohoo:

liznboys

01-21-2010, 10:35 AM

Hey cj! You are HILARIOUS. I love how you number and describe each of the girls, especially #5... :rotfl:

Can't wait for the next installment! I'm cracking up at every mention of the DUCT TAPE!! :rotfl:

Emma's Dad

01-21-2010, 11:08 AM

I'm here! Very nice update :thumbsup2 Can't wait to hear what's next... popcorn::

trennr

01-21-2010, 11:10 AM

You are Brave or Crazy or Both.

tutter99

01-21-2010, 02:58 PM

Good Job! Looking forward to more detailspopcorn::

cj9200

01-21-2010, 05:25 PM

Had to go back and catch up with your other TR :surfweb: because this one had me :rotfl2:. Can't wait for the rest of the TR.:woohoo:

The drive up will be either later today or tomorrow. Thanks for joining us on our odyssey.

Hey cj! You are HILARIOUS. I love how you number and describe each of the girls, especially #5... :rotfl:

Can't wait for the next installment! I'm cracking up at every mention of the DUCT TAPE!! :rotfl:

DUCT TAPE, DUCT TAPE, DUCT TAPE. Hope I made your day. Actually forgot the duct tape but found something better on the trip (stay tuned). The leash of shame was there from the beginning. 5 was the one that said she was Hispanic and did not know anything about tea.

Is that a Donald medal around your neck for running the half this year? Way to go. Even if the hamstring didn’t get me and we went, running in sleet sure would have. A well deserved Congrats!

I'm here! Very nice update :thumbsup2 Can't wait to hear what's next... popcorn::

Thanks for starting the new Dis Dads thread. A lot of fun over there. Now put your popcorn down and get the extraction beacon fixed.

You are Brave or Crazy or Both.

Crazy. Definitely crazy.

Good Job! Looking forward to more detailspopcorn::

Thanks, much appreciated.

Chellymouse

01-21-2010, 07:12 PM

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2: Lovin' it! Sounds like 5 may have lead you to the martinis for the weekend! Can't wait to read more!

cj9200

01-22-2010, 05:08 PM

It has been over six months since our last trip to the World and we needed our Disney fix. Yes, I know we are lucky. Like a general, the invasion plans were well laid out. The biggest was nabbing a Grand Villa at the 11 month window. As other deadlines approached, think dining and the cruise, everything was set and we were ready to go.

When plans are made I also found out they also need to be flexible. And the drive up ended up needing to be just that. Partially my fault, others were an act of divine intervention. Per the plan, I met the kids in the morning at school to pick up their bags. 1 stayed the night with us and another mom dropped off her daughter’s bag the night before. The rest met me at the school drop off point on time and things went well. Looking good. For now.

Got back to the house and I have to admit that while I am a Disney trip planner extraordinaire, my personal packing ability is lacking. While the kid’s laundry was done earlier, mine was started when I got back from school. A big mistake. Plus I had some unexpected work to finish. Finally, I was able to drop the dog off at the vet and I was at the car place at 2:00. In the meantime, laundry is tumbling in the dryer. The car company is the one that will pick you up but I found out that they would not deliver the car and let you take the delivery driver back. So, I had to drive my car to the house and wait for the guy to deliver the van that I could see in the parking lot while I was there. Then he needed to drive me back so they could hand over the keys and say, “Here is your car.”

After all that, I finally got back to the house. Threw the clothes that were in the dryer in my suitcase and transferred the million bags from the car to the rental van. The idea was to pick the kids up at 3:00 but it was after 4:00 before I left the house. Finally picked them up at close to 4:30.

I knew it was going to be tight but not this tight. Wish I would have taken a pic of the back where there bags were. Every time I opened the tailgate, many things would fall out. We also had snacks, drinks and computers in the front of the van making getting in and out difficult.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6468.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6467.jpg

Loaded them and their school bags and we were off. How we fit everything in, I have no idea. The plan was to take the Turnpike extension and zip up to Orlando. All was good except one thing. I FORGOT THE TICKETS. What an idiot. So we had to go back to the house and had to bypass the Turnpike. After picking up the tickets, we were back on the road, this time the Palmetto. Traffic was heavy and it took forever to get out of Dade County and hook up with the Turnpike. Once we got to West Palm, things again slowed to a crawl. Plus it was raining heavily. To make a long story less long, we finally made it to the Buena Vista Hilton a little before 10:00.

The plan was to go to Riverside and see Yeehaw Bob but I bagged that idea. All I wanted to do was to put up my feet and have a cocktail. Check-in was smooth. They assumed I wanted adjoining rooms. Thought about it for a minute and was about to ask if you could put them in another hotel, but said yes, adjoining rooms would work. All the kids took one room which meant some of them had to sleep on the floor. They loved it. There was some noise but after a couple of times chastising them, they quieted down and went to sleep. I was hyped up from the drive and stayed up later than they did.

I have to say, the Hilton was nice. Especially with the price that I paid. I also asked where I could buy a razor since I forgot mine and they gladly handed one over free of charge. They did charge $10 for self parking which was annoying. Here are a few pics of the resort.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6098.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6103.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6099.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6100.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6101.jpg

The bed was real comfy.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6104.jpg

The flat screen HDTV was really cool. Have to get me one of those.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6105.jpg

The desk/work area was nice. They charge for internet service unless you are a Hilton rewards customer so that was my excuse not to log on and do some work.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6107.jpg

Settled down to watch some TV and yell at the kids to keep the noise level down. Finally went to bed. Got up late the next morning, around 6:30. Normally I am up and about at 5:30. Watched the news and checked the weather. Today was going to be iffy, major chance of thunderstorms. Hope it will not ruin the Illuminations’ cruise.

Got the car and drove over to the Boardwalk. Ahh, home again. Charlotte checked me in with no wait and handed me my Welcome Home packet. Had a discussion with her and the CM next to her about the idiotic decision to take my daughter and 6 of her friends alone to WDW. They were sympathetic but thought it was funny. Gee, thanks.

Returned to the Hilton and after a bit, I decided to have breakfast. I went to the main restaurant, sorry, forgot the name. They had a buffet for $20 or you could choose from their menu selections. I opted to order off the menu and had the usual eggs, sausage and home fries. The meal was good but could have been hotter. My server was not very efficient and I had to wait forever for my drink, ordering the meal, food, refill of my drink, the check… It is vacation time so I did not sweat it. Total with tip came to about $19 dollars.

Still too early to wake up the munchkins so I walked around the resort. As an aside when they went to bed last night they asked when they were going to get up in the morning. Some suggested noon. I laughed my evil laugh and told them we needed to be out of the rooms by 11:00. First wake-up call will be at 9:30 and they needed to be ready to go at 10:45. That did not go over well.

Some pics of the hotel. They have an Edy’s Ice Cream place if you have a sweet tooth attack
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6109.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6110.jpg

This is their general store that is open 24 hours. Good selection of stuff. Not cheap, I would say Disney priced.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6111.jpg

There was some construction going on where they had part of the lobby walled off
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6112.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6113.jpg

This is their sports bar. Had cocktails in the room so I did not visit it.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6114.jpg

The Disney store, so close but yet so far from the mouse’s house.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6115.jpg

So I guess the place I had breakfast was the Covington Hill Restaurant. Prices for the character breakfast seemed reasonable especially when you get champagne and mimosas. Cindy’s place could use the mimosa idea.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6117.jpg

The only negative I could find was transportation issues. The busses are supposed to leave every 30 minutes but a couple of people I talked to said that was a fallacy.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6119.jpg

This bus was taunting the people waiting to go to the parks. The driver eventually got in and promptly pulled out without picking anyone up.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6118.jpg

The view from the room. Nice, but not a Boardwalk view is it.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6120.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6121.jpg

That is it for now. Up next, waking up the mob and tea.

lisaviolet

01-22-2010, 10:16 PM

The flat screen HDTV was really cool. Have to get me one of those.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6105.jpg

Forget the flat screen. This pic is priceless. :lmao: It feels like such a product placement. :rotfl:;)

lisaviolet

01-22-2010, 10:21 PM

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6468.jpg
.

Cinco with the stare?

If so she sure looks like she needs some tea. :rotfl:

lisaviolet

01-22-2010, 10:30 PM

They assumed I wanted adjoining rooms. Thought about it for a minute and was about to ask if you could put them in another hotel, but said yes, adjoining rooms would work.
.

:lmao::rotfl::lmao: OMG.

Reminds me of our family trip of 13 when I first bought DVC. Two sides of a family. I get to SSR and get lovingly chewed out by the CM because why didn't I do Grand Gatherings - how was she going to get all rooms next to each other at this point. How? Huh?

Me with a blank stare and intense fear. OMG - she wants our family to be altogether. OMG - she's on a mission to put our family altogether. OMG. :lmao: Please God help me.

I'm like - oh no that's not necessary AT ALL but thank you so much.

Obviously not getting the hint she works at the computer and with a smile of intense pride says, "I did it!" "Everyone is on the same floor - same building." "Two are connecting!!!!" "Isn't that great?" :lmao:

Yes, that is SO great. Thank you so much. :scared1::rotfl:

cj9200

01-23-2010, 05:59 AM

Forget the flat screen. This pic is priceless. :lmao: It feels like such a product placement. :rotfl:;)

Are you talking about the CVS bag holding my nicotine gum or the bottle of tranquilizer juice?

Cinco with the stare?

If so she sure looks like she needs some tea. :rotfl:

You got cinco.

:lmao::rotfl::lmao: OMG.

Reminds me of our family trip of 13 when I first bought DVC. Two sides of a family. I get to SSR and get lovingly chewed out by the CM because why didn't I do Grand Gatherings - how was she going to get all rooms next to each other at this point. How? Huh?

Me with a blank stare and intense fear. OMG - she wants our family to be altogether. OMG - she's on a mission to put our family altogether. OMG. :lmao: Please God help me.

I'm like - oh no that's not necessary AT ALL but thank you so much.

Obviously not getting the hint she works at the computer and with a smile of intense pride says, "I did it!" "Everyone is on the same floor - same building." "Two are connecting!!!!" "Isn't that great?" :lmao:

Yes, that is SO great. Thank you so much. :scared1::rotfl:

Too funny. Know the feeling. Sometimes being next to each other is not good. That is unless you are trying to get on America’s Funniest Home Video. Or in your case Canada’s Funniest Home Video. Do Canadians do stupid stuff to get on TV? One time the in-laws came and I jokingly said at check in, “Don’t put them near us.” Seems they were sent to Bay Lake Towers and that was ten years before it was built. Worked for me though.

glennbo123

01-23-2010, 06:57 AM

Signing on. This looks like it's going to be stupid nuts!

cj9200

01-23-2010, 01:12 PM

I am walking around the Hilton after enjoying my breakfast when I decide it is time for the fun to begin. Pulled out the phone and dialed the child. “Ummm, Hello.” “Time to get up.” “But it’s only 9:30.” “Call you back in a few minutes.” “Daaaaaaaad.” This was the toughest part during the trip. It was like pulling teeth to get them up and ready in the morning.

Spent some more time walking around the resort (see previous picks) and back to the room to catch up on the news. Some begging, pleading and arguing (on both sides), and they were up and out the door a little before 11:00. Back to the van to reload everything and are off to Boardwalk. YEA!

6 is a WDW veteran and was telling me where to drive. Sweetie, I was here a couple of hours ago, I know where I am going. DD is a Disney trivia savant, we even won a contest on a cruise when she was seven and this became a bone of contention between DD and 6. 6 would spout out some trivia thing and DD would say, “Yea, everyone knows that but did you know…(some obscure Disney fact.)

Pulled up to the lobby area and waved down a bell services/valet guy. He actually got everything on one cart. Should have taken a picture. Entered the lobby and I heard a couple of oohs and aahs from some of the kids. Nice feel good start.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4911.jpg

2 and 6
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4912.jpg

Parked the car in the lot and got a pretty close space. There has been a lot of debate over the new policy that charges DVC members for valet parking. Dumb idea but as long as people staying at the resort can get accessible parking spaces, I am OK with it. The problem is that anyone can park in the lot. I went back to the get something out of the van later and it did not look like a space could be found. Probably because everyone was at ESPN or walking to EPCOT. Not a good situation.

Meanwhile, they needed food and I needed to get the Tables in Wonderland card (hate that name) and turn in the kids’ $500 plus vouchers for real tickets. I headed over to EPCOT and they hit the bakery. After exchanging the vouchers and purchasing the TIW card I met them at the bakery. I had to go to the ticket booth to exchange the tickets and then Guest Services to get the TIW card. Didn’t make sense but what can you do. Bellies were being filled with not so healthy, but tasty food items.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4915.jpg

What is she doing with the hair thing? Want some follicles with your éclair?
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4916.jpg

Still plenty of time before Tea so they decided to do the walk around the Boardwalk. Here are some pics the shutterbug took.

4
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4919.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4920.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4923.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4925.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4929.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4930.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4931.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4932.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4933.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4935.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4938.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4939.jpg

3 and 5
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4940.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4941.jpg

Goofy
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4943.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4954.jpg

As you can see it was overcast. Really worried about the cruise, rain was predicted for later today and tonight.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4956.jpg

Running out of picture space so more to come later. Up next: The Grand Floridian and tea.

zev

01-23-2010, 01:32 PM

Forget the flat screen. This pic is priceless. :lmao: It feels like such a product placement. :rotfl:;)

Nah but a real good choice of "medication"!!:rotfl::lmao:

kid-at-heart

01-23-2010, 02:33 PM

Oh hurry up. Cannot you write any faster? The suspense is killing me. :lmao: Just kidding. Enjoying the action. Which one is the shutterbug?

Love the way you have numbered them. I am surprised you did not name them after the Pooh characters. I have my students tell me which psychological disorder each of the Pooh characters have, Eeyore - mood disorder - unipolar - depressed, Pooh - addiction - honey....

cj9200

01-23-2010, 03:30 PM

Signing on. This looks like it's going to be stupid nuts!

You got that right. Welcome aboard the Titanic.

Nah but a real good choice of "medication"!!:rotfl::lmao:

You betcha.

Oh hurry up. Cannot you write any faster? The suspense is killing me. :lmao: Just kidding. Enjoying the action. Which one is the shutterbug?

Love the way you have numbered them. I am surprised you did not name them after the Pooh characters. I have my students tell me which psychological disorder each of the Pooh characters have, Eeyore - mood disorder - unipolar - depressed, Pooh - addiction - honey....

The thing about these kids is they can have one disorder one minute and completely change the next minute. During any one day they would be Eeyore, then Pooh then Rabbit. Shutterbug was 3. They do not know it but they will forever be numbered in my mind. DD will ask if we can take so and so home and I will ask if she meant 2. No matter how old they get. “Dad, X got named to the Federal Bench.” “You mean 4 right.”

Typing away as fast as I can. I actually have to work today and tomorrow. Going through about 9 pages of foundation possibilities for an organization that helps kids with mental illness. Promise tea will be up later today or tomorrow. In the meantime, can you do me a favor and ask your daughter if she has the invite list for the Disney trip you are taking her this year. Remind her she needs to keep it under 20 kids. (I kill myself sometimes.)

kid-at-heart

01-23-2010, 03:52 PM

... In the meantime, can you do me a favor and ask your daughter if she has the invite list for the Disney trip you are taking her this year. Remind her she needs to keep it under 20 kids. (I kill myself sometimes.)

Oh CJ you are mean. :rotfl: And you have a good memory.

cj9200

01-24-2010, 08:11 AM

While they were wandering around, I took a few pics of my own
.
Here is THE ROOM (See the New Year’s TR to find out about THE ROOM). Will the Grand Villa beat it out for my affections? We shall see. Second floor right on the corner.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6122-1.jpg

Great balcony.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6123-1.jpg

They met me after the loop and while it was still early, we decided to head over to the Grand Floridian for their tea. The Magic Kingdom bus had just pulled up so we ran to get it. A recurring theme for them during the trip.

6, DD, 1 and 2.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4958.jpg

On the monorail heading to the Grand Floridian
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6124-1.jpg

2, DD, 4, 5, 3.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6125-1.jpg

Always have to take a pic of BLT. I have a montage of pictures starting when they destroyed the wing it replaced.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6126.jpg

Sometime we will stay there.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6127.jpg

The GF, more oohs and aahs. DD’s mom and I stayed here once but DD hasn’t. Her goal is to stay at every Disney resort. Go for it girl, just get a good job first. I am not paying for rooms anymore. DVC takes care of that.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6129.jpg

Victoria and Albert’s. She has eaten there twice and loved it. Even she wasn’t dumb enough to suggest dinning here for this trip. Can’t wait until she takes me here for dinner and pays the bill. When that happens I will know that my work as a father was successful.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6131.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6132.jpg

The Birdcage. For the last time, the numbers: 5, 6, 2, DD, 1, 4 and 3. Notice how 1 and 2 are next to her. This became a dominant theme through the weekend. Found out the birdcage does not hold 7 kids.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6135.jpg

Not a bad looking place.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4959.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4960.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4965.jpg

OK, here is where Disney Dining screwed me again. They had reservations for 2:00. We walk over to the tea area and no one is there. My fault, I thought tea started earlier. Went to the concierge desk and they confirmed that tea starts at 2:00. I go back and look on the reservation sheet, see our name but the time is listed as 3:30. That was the original time but I since changed it to 2:00. Hoping this wasn’t going to be a hassle (it wasn’t the hostess seated them after only a short wait). Meanwhile the kids went window shopping. I don’t think they bought anything but had fun anyway.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4969.jpg

Shutterbug can’t take pictures that are straight it seems. Can’t complain though, she did a great job.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4971.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4972.jpg

They sit down for tea and I am free of them at last. Debated Tambu Lounge at the Poly or back to the Boardwalk and ESPN. Decided on the Poly. They had tea.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4974.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4975.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4976.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4977.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4978.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_4979.jpg

A few Por Favors later I was at the Polynesian. Ordered the first martini of the trip. Delicious. The bartender and I do the small talk thing while the Georgia Tech/N. Carolina game is on. Tech is surprisingly ahead. All is well in the world. Love this place. The bartenders have been here forever and I really enjoy going here. Well, except there were no crab cakes. The kitchen isn’t open yet. Seems they were also having problems the day before with one of their “hot lines” and there was no food service at the bar that day. Meanwhile, I am waiting to get a text to let me know that the room is ready. By the time the second martini arrives, I had checked in with the girls, who are having a marvelous time and get a text (around 3:30) that room 5037 is ready for me. Whoo Hoo.

One of the highlights of this trip was reserving a Grand Villa. Many a time I have walked down the hallway and pass the double doors of a Villa. Oh to only stay there I thought as I trudged dejectedly to my puny one bedroom. Well, now it was my time to experience it.

The doors to luxury await me. What does it look like? Afraid since I am running out of picture space you will have to wait a little longer.

What is behind door number 5037?
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6319.jpg

Up Next: The Grand Villa AKA Jeeves, can you refresh this for me (Said in a Thurston Howell accent).

mckryan

01-24-2010, 08:20 AM

You are a tease!! Making us wait for the GV! :lmao:

dopeygirl76

01-24-2010, 11:06 AM

Oh you are terrible!!!:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

I can't wait to read the rest!!!!

DenLo

01-24-2010, 11:26 AM

The doors to luxury await me. What does it look like? Afraid since I am running out of picture space you will have to wait a little longer.

What is behind door number 5037?

Up Next: The Grand Villa AKA Jeeves, can you refresh this for me (Said in a Thurston Howell accent).
__________________

You're making us wait and the door is partially open too! Please make it a short wait.

Disney Princess

01-24-2010, 11:55 AM

Can't wait to see the grand villa. I am sure you'll get some more oohs and aahs from those girls, I mean numbers. :rotfl:

Liljam

01-24-2010, 12:00 PM

I read through FIVE pages and now I have to wait for the GV pic!!! :rotfl:

I stayed in one at SSR but the BWV ones look so lovely! Great TR so far and 3 takes great pics! Tell her to keep going with photography! She's doing wonderful!

rentayenta

01-24-2010, 12:13 PM

:thumbsup2 What a fun idea for a sweet 16 party. DH and I were just talking about doing this for DD when she turns 16 but to Disneyland/GCV as we live in Utah so we can drive.

Love the report!

zalansky

01-24-2010, 12:45 PM

Come on! This is not fair!!! Bring on the next installment....

glennbo123

01-24-2010, 12:47 PM

Oh that's just mean!!! Okay, you've got me. I'll be checking back periodically for the GV pics.

Chellymouse

01-24-2010, 02:40 PM

CJ you're killing me with the suspense!!

Goofy442

01-24-2010, 04:00 PM

Wow can't wait to see room 5037. :banana:

cj9200

01-24-2010, 04:04 PM

Pixieflip

01-24-2010, 05:15 PM

Oh, you brave soul. Can't wait to read the rest.

Liljam

01-24-2010, 05:40 PM

Ok, everyone put the pitchforks down. I haven't downloaded them to Photobucket yet. Took DD to the track with some friends and we will be heading out to dinner soon. Plus football is on. Promise GV pics either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. :lmao:
That's my DH's reasoning for NOT helping me do much of anything today. And he's a Steelers fan. I stopped watching after they were out of the playoffs :rotfl: Guess this TR will be eating up my lunch hour tomorrow!

Happy footballing!

cj9200

01-24-2010, 09:53 PM

Backtracking a little bit. When I left the kids, I took the monorail from the GF to the Poly. It seems the CMs were not as outgoing as they were in the past. This was especially true for the transportation CMs and the monorail people in particular. Maybe the effects of cutbacks and the tragic accident have taken their toll.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6136.jpg

Still something about the monorails that gets me.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6139.jpg

After I was done at the Tambu, I took the boat back to the MK. It was just pulling in when I got to the pool area. What a relaxing and neat ride. The boat is one of the best things I liked about our stay at Wilderness Lodge.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6142.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6140.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6141.jpg

This was at the bus stop at the MK. About 30 (and it looked like unescorted) teen girls pile out of one of the resort buses. How would you like to be on that trip? I would not have made it. “Always look on the bright side of life.”
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6143.jpg

The Yacht/Beach Club bus was the first one pull in so I nabbed it. Walked over to the Boardwalk from there. Big debate in my head over which stop to get off. Of course, I picked Yacht when Beach is much closer. How many times have I been to WDW? Had a fun conversation with the driver over the decision to wait for Boardwalk or take his bus. He was the exception that proved the rule that I talked about at the beginning of this post. “You know as soon as I pull out, the BW bus will show up.” Sure enough he made it a point to tell me it got dispatched right after we pulled out. He also told me they stage them by the MK entrance parking booths which is about 10 minutes away. Oh well, I can use the exercise.

This is the line at ESPN about an hour before kickoff. Not too bad.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6144.jpg

Get to the elevator and up to the 5th floor. Walked down the hallway of hell for awhile and I pull up next to the infamous double doors. My double doors. The key in my hand opens these double doors to My Grand Villa. I was anticipating this moment for as long as I owned at DVC. Hope it didn’t disappoint. Slide the card in and of course the key doesn’t work.

As DD would say, JK. Opened the door to this.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6152.jpg

Took that picture after I picked my jaw off the floor. All I can say is amazing. They should have a photopass CM stationed inside the door to capture guest reactions when they first walk in. I would have bought that shot. Amazing and these pictures here do not do it justice. So much space, bright and airy with a ton of details. Live Plants. I could be wrong but I am not sure they have live plants in a 1 BR. It is my understanding that the GV’s at Boardwalk can be either one or two stories. If true, we lucked out and got a 2 story one. I kept saying to myself OMG this is too cool, OMG this is too cool, OMG this is too cool, OMG this is too cool… I guess you get the idea. Here is a partial tour.

MY Entertainment Center, in MY Living Room with MY HUGE Flat Screen HDTV. OMG this is too cool.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6155-1.jpg

MY Bedroom with MY King Size Bed. OMG this is too cool.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6146-1.jpg

MY Jacuzzi Tub to revitalize my tired bones. OMG this is too cool.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6147-1.jpg

MY Bathroom. Do you get the territorial aspect of my tone?
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6149.jpg

The Kitchen
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6151.jpg

Dining area
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6150.jpg

The Stairs
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6156-1.jpg

Upstairs looking down. This gives you a better perspective of how spacious MY Grand Villa is.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6158-1.jpg

The hallway to the two other bedrooms
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6157-1.jpg

The second bedroom
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6159-1.jpg

The second bedroom had a balcony that overlooked the living area
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6160-1.jpg

And one that looked out on the Boardwalk
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6162-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6163-1.jpg

Second Bedroom TV
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6161-1.jpg

Second Bedroom bath
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6164-1.jpg

Third Bedroom with their TV
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6166-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6167-1.jpg

Needless to say, I was way too happy. Can’t wait until the kids see it. Their reaction is next with some more pics. I also have some more taken later on another memory card and I will post some of those when I find them.

Ok, is everyone happy now?

mckryan

01-24-2010, 10:00 PM

:banana::worship: Awesome!

kikiq

01-24-2010, 10:05 PM

OMG, what great pictures!!

You're my hero. Taking your DD and friends to WDW and in a GV, making memories.

Can't wait for the rest of the TR.

Chris

glennbo123

01-24-2010, 10:50 PM

Awesome! Thanks for not making us wait too long. That Boardwalk view is fantastic!

Can't wait to see the reaction shots of the kids.

kid-at-heart

01-25-2010, 06:13 AM

I am happy. :goodvibes I would be the same "My, My, My". Did you buy one of the shirts that say, "MINE MINE MINE"?

DenLo

01-25-2010, 09:16 AM

Thanks for not making us wait very long. And I have to agree with you that YOUR Grand Villa was worth waiting for all the years you have been a DVC member. Looking foward to seeing the girls reactions.

Goofy442

01-25-2010, 09:31 AM

I can't believe how much room you all have. The room is beautiful so glad you posted them. :cool1: Did you bring the flowers for your DD? That is a nice touch.

FreezinRafiki

01-25-2010, 09:31 AM

Oh wow. Seems like a waste of DVC points for just the 4 us, so I need to find 8 people to share a GV with! That looks awesome. :thumbsup2

Tinks "SS"

01-25-2010, 09:40 AM

Yeah!! i get off from working all weekend and i find updates on here!! the GV looks great. we hope to one day stay in one also.

The girls looked like they were having fun. The numbering of the girls are great!(makes me think of the cartoon the kids next door on CN with the numbers)

Can't wait to see their responses!! Must have more!!!

cj9200

01-25-2010, 09:49 AM

Sorry but the TR needs to be postponed for a little while. DD’s mom, after suffering a long terminal illness passed away last night. DD and I are fine because we know that her mom is finally at peace. Will pick back up in a bit. She enjoyed reading about our trips including the one she and her sister went with us over New Year’s in 2009. Definitely would kick my behind if I did not finish this one. She loved talking to DD while we were at Disney to hear what the kids were doing on this trip and will be reading the rest of the report from a better place. To someone that asked, the flowers on the table were from her and DD's Aunt. DD took a few home to dry out as keepsakes.

Tinks "SS"

01-25-2010, 09:57 AM

my sincerest thoughts go out to your DD and you. Very reassuring to know that she is at peace now. Ya'll are in my prayers!

PrincessDuck

01-25-2010, 10:04 AM

Give your daughter a hug from the disboards. I have enjoyed a few of your trip reports and your daughter seems like such a sweetheart. I am glad that her mother is in a better place, but I am sure there will still be a void for her.

Prayers,
Daisy

dopeygirl76

01-25-2010, 11:16 AM

:grouphug: to you and your daughter. I'm glad your daughter is able to be at peace with her mom being in a better place.

Liljam

01-25-2010, 11:34 AM

You and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers. :grouphug:

bobbiwoz

01-25-2010, 12:02 PM

:grouphug:My condolences to all who are touched by this loss.

Bobbi

Harlemgirl720

01-25-2010, 12:31 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to you and your daughter as well as the rest of your family.:hug:

KirstenB

01-25-2010, 12:41 PM

I'm so sorry for you and your dd's loss.:hug: I'll pray for you both.

bumbershoot

01-25-2010, 01:03 PM

I'm so sorry for your daughter's and your loss.

Checkers

01-25-2010, 02:00 PM

My sympathy to you and your daughter on your loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and all your family.

kid-at-heart

01-25-2010, 02:06 PM

I am so sorry. I know you and your daughter will miss her.

Disneypubgal

01-25-2010, 02:24 PM

Sorry but the TR needs to be postponed for a little while. DD’s mom, after suffering a long terminal illness passed away last night. DD and I are fine because we know that her mom is finally at peace. Will pick back up in a bit. She enjoyed reading about our trips including the one she and her sister went with us over New Year’s in 2009. Definitely would kick my behind if I did not finish this one. She loved talking to DD while we were at Disney to hear what the kids were doing on this trip and will be reading the rest of the report from a better place. To someone that asked, the flowers on the table were from her and her Aunt. DD took a few home to dry out as keepsakes.

What a brave young girl you have... my deepest sympathies for your family... May God Bless all of you!

mckryan

01-25-2010, 03:00 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss. My father passed away 4 years ago after a long illness, so I understand the mix of emotions you all must be feeling right now.

erosenst

01-25-2010, 03:13 PM

Have been lurking and enjoying the TR's - but coming out of lurkdom to express my condolences to you and your DD.

lisaviolet

01-25-2010, 04:48 PM

I'm so incredibly sorry for you both. And for eveyone that is going to miss her. So sorry.

Lisa

Ham Ham

01-25-2010, 06:47 PM

cj9200 - - I am so very sorry to read this news.

You and your daughter are in my thoughts.

Take care,
Kim

Disney Princess

01-25-2010, 07:13 PM

I am so sorry to hear of this loss. You are in our prayers! :grouphug:

LisaRN97

01-25-2010, 07:25 PM

You are in my thoughts and prayers.....deepest condolences....

kikiq

01-26-2010, 12:45 AM

Sending you and your DD all the hugs and prayers needed to guide yourselves through this time.

DMKEDM

01-26-2010, 06:39 AM

No matter how expected, no matter the end of the suffering, the pain of the loss is indescribable, after the initial "numbness" eases up...we here will hold you & your DD close in our thoughts and prayers and hope you will find some comfort in the memories of your Disney trips and in the very real affection/regard that we here on the Dis feel for you...

Deepest sympathies--

LindaBabe

01-26-2010, 06:45 AM

You both have my deepest sympathy. Even when the transition is a blessing for the ill loved one, I know what a hole in the heart it can leave for those left behind.

cj9200

01-26-2010, 09:22 AM

FreezinRafiki

01-26-2010, 09:35 AM

Take your time on the TR. Concentrate on the bigger things in life like yourself and DD. We'll be here when you're ready.

kid-at-heart

01-26-2010, 09:44 AM

Take your time on the TR. Concentrate on the bigger things in life like yourself and DD. We'll be here when you're ready.

I agree with FreezinRafiki. Take care of your daughter and yourself for now. We will wait.

Goofy442

01-26-2010, 10:18 AM

So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult times.
God Bless

dgaston

01-26-2010, 10:24 AM

Just wanted to add my thoughts and prayers for all who will miss DD's mom. :grouphug:

I too lost a mom the week before I turned 16 after a long illness. While it was expected and was an end to suffering, there were (and are) many times I wish it might have been otherwise.

mamaprincess

01-26-2010, 10:37 AM

I've greatly enjoyed reading your trip report from lurksville. Just coming out to say that you and your daughter are in my heart and prayers. Your attitude is amazing and such an inspiration.

glennbo123

01-26-2010, 10:51 AM

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Sending my condolences along with all the others.

lisaviolet

01-26-2010, 09:40 PM

Please know that you are both in our thoughts. Excuse me for speaking for others but I would guess many of us were thinking of you both today. :hug:

. Definitely would kick my behind if I did not finish this one. She loved talking to DD while we were at Disney to hear what the kids were doing on this trip and will be reading the rest of the report from a better place.

Also I wanted to say that these thoughts of her brought both a smile and a sigh. A smile and a sigh.

Lisa

Liljam

01-26-2010, 10:03 PM

I do not really know any of you out there and I realize there will be a slim chance that we will meet face to face. But wow, your outpouring of support has deeply touched DD and I. If we ever do meet, I would like to give all of you (or all y’all in deference to my southern side) a big group hug. Thank you so much from both of us.

Arrangements have been made for the service for the weekend after next. In the meantime, the TR must go on. I am taking a few days off and we must celebrate life. Right? Plus there is a lot more to tell. The munchkins haven’t seen the room yet and the cruise and the parks day are still left. Hopefully tomorrow I will have the next installment. Again, our heartfelt thanks.

A celebration of life, indeed! My parents are no longer together, and I have step parents in my life, but my mom and dad have stayed very close for all of my life. I can say one of my favorite moments was using my DVC to bring my mom, stepdad, dad and brother, along with a few others to a GV in May 08. Having both parents in WDW with me was a wonderful thing. I'm glad you have been able to give that to your DD (I went back to read the NYE TR, not sure how I missed it.) If writing the TR right now is something that will give you comfort, by all means, continue. But you know that if you need to wait, we'll all be here waiting for your return. I'm heading to the World in a little less than 2 weeks and you really have me wanting to stop at the Poly for drinks. Again, you and DD and "mom's" family member's are in my prayers.

irenep

01-27-2010, 08:01 AM

I just found your latest TR and wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of your sad loss.

My sincere thoughts are with you and your daughter.

cj9200

01-27-2010, 08:38 AM

Time to get back on track. My next post will be the continuation of the trip report where the kids see the GV for the first time. To let you know, DD and I are doing fine. I can’t begin to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and pixie dust sent our way. I know I did not respond to your individual best wishes which really bothers me but I am truly overwhelmed. I should have, but please accept my apology and heartfelt thanks to all of you for thinking of us. This is a special community. Do me a favor. Everyone take your left arm and put it behind your waist on the right side. Then take your right arm and do the same to your left waist. Squeeze really hard. That is a hug from DD and me.

I am returning to the trip report because I want DD and her friends to be able to have a remembrance of the trip, plus it has therapeutic value and, DD’s mom would want to read it.

The flowers that Mom and Aunt sent.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6173-2.jpg

DD saved some and is in the process of drying them out to keep.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6174-2.jpg

This is hard to read but the note said there was a special surprise if you looked at all the petals. They had a Mickey bauble tied around one of the stems.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6179-1.jpg

Up next: The fun continues

cj9200

01-27-2010, 08:39 AM

When I last posted the TR, I was starting to enjoy our Grand Villa. This place is amazing. I spent time in a number of hotels, including almost every place at WDW (SSR and BLT being the only exceptions) but this by far is the best room I ever spent on a vacation. The only downside is a 1BR could be a letdown from now on. Much like the letdown feeling of a regular Disney room after staying in a 1 BR. Did it take the place of THE ROOM in my heart? If you stay in THE ROOM, don’t say this to it but yes, it is not even close. We will stay in a GV again.

The view from the lower floor balcony. MY balcony.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6171-2.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6172-2.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6168-2.jpg

The view from MY bedroom. I kept the shades open at night so I would wake up seeing the Yacht/Beach club
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6170-2.jpg

Anyway, I called bell services and the bags were on their way. The kids were not far behind me after finishing tea. I turned on MY HUGE HDTV and sat down on the couch when I heard the fumbling of a key in the door. Dumb me did not have the camera ready.

The kids came in and the expression on their faces was priceless. Talk about shock and awe. I expect it was the same one that was on my face when I first opened the door. Again, why don’t they have a photopass photographer there. They took a second or two, confused on what to do next and then they ran on mass up the stairs. One of them said, “This is better than my house.” DD was in the lead claiming mine, mine, mine (to the other poster I did not get one of the shirts, should have thought of it.) She, 1 and 2 claimed the second bedroom relegating the rest of them to what I referred to as the servants’ quarters. Not bad servants’ quarters.

They came downstairs again as a herd to explore the first floor. Some of them approached the line that cannot be crossed. I barked, “YOU SHALL NOT PASS.” I told everyone they needed to back away from MY room and the rules were then explained. You may look at the Master Room and Bath this one time but afterward, that is MY RELM. You have to use the bathroom or take a shower, I do not care if there is a line out the door, you will go upstairs. There will be no cosmetics in MY bathroom. The community area is going to stay free of stuff and be kept clean. Other than that, they were free to enjoy.

Bell services came and before they were allowed to play, they had to take their bags to the room, put away the food stuff and someone had to get ice. 6 and 4 volunteered and were sent out with the ice bucket. Much giggling and music playing was going on upstairs. They were changing clothes. For what? You will see in a bit. After an eternity (15 minutes of so), 4 and 6 come back with no ice. “There is no ice machine on this floor.” Instead of sending them out again with orders not to come back alive without ice, I let them go upstairs so they could also change. I got ice instead. The ice machine was two or three doors down from our room.

Pointed this fact out to them later. These kids are super smart and they can’t get ice? I like 4’s expression in the picture. I had them pace it off and it was 48 steps from the room. They must have gone down the hallway to hell all the way to the Inn side in search of ice. Teenagers are a pain but hilarious sometimes. Not the first or last time I got a chuckle out of their antics.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6458.jpg

So, you may be curious in what outfits they were changing into. Bathing suits. BATHING SUITS? ARE THEY STUPID NUTS? IT IS JANUARY AND YOU LIVE IN FLORIDA. GOING SWIMMING IS SOMETHING WE FLORIDIANS DO NOT DO IN JANUARY. DD’s response was, “We are going to the hot tub.” OK, whatever, I am making a cocktail and watching TV on MY HUGE HDTV. Look, a life size Stacey and top Disney must sees. An eternity later and after DD and 1 were the last down (a recurring theme) they departed for the pool. Stupid kids, stupid Judy.

Not much on MY HUGE HDTV so I decided for giggles see what the kids were doing. Got to the pool and they are going down the slide. Again I ask, IN JANUARY? They were however having a ball. Oh, to be young and stupid again. Here are a few not very focused pics. I had to use the zoom because I wasn’t going anywhere near the water.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6181-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6182-1.jpg

A couple of times the life guard yelled at them not to slide down together. They explained that the light was green when they went down the slide and one caught up with the other. I told them to count to five after the light turned green before launching. I knew from experience because this happened to me one time at the water parks. I was going down a slide and the person in front of me decided he wasn’t into going down a water slide. He had his hands and feet splayed on the sides to do his best to go down as slowly as possible. Turned around a curve and here is this guy inching his way down the ride. Tried to hit the brakes but we still hit pretty hard. He looked at me and was about to say something but I preemptively said, “Are you stupid nuts?” Well, in order of full disclosure that wasn’t exactly what I said, I did use non Disney approved language.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6183-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6186-1.jpg

I mentioned to the BW lifeguard if they cause any problems he has my permission to put them to work scrubbing the pool, picking up garbage or any crummy tasks that needed to be done. He had a chuckle. He thought I was kidding but of course I wasn’t.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6187-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6189-1.jpg

Before I took this picture, I walked over to the hot tub to again chastise them for being in water in January. So what do I find? Three of them have cell phones or other electronic devices while they were in the hot tub! One of them was texting! In a hot tub! Nearly half of the group thought it was a good idea to bring electronics in a hot tub! I was too incredulous to think to take a picture of someone texting in water.

Made them fork over the electronics and I put them in my pocket. When asked what I was going to do with their precious little items, I told them they were going with me to the room. A collective scream, NOOOOOOOO! It was from all of them not just the ones that had the stuff taken away. DD (who unbelievably was one of the innocent ones) was out of the water in a flash, “Don’t take them away. We will be good. Honest, Pinky swear. Here, hide them under our towel.” Let them have them back and then took the above picture. There was a couple also in the hot tub that witnessed the scene and I let them know if the girls cause any problems that I encouraged them to call security.

I went back to the room and they followed me up after not too long a time. Probably realized, but would not admit that Floridians do not voluntarily go into the water in January. They then proceeded to shower, change and primp for our night out.

While they were getting pretty, I took some of pics of the Boardwalk from my balcony. Then I watched stuff on MY HUGE HDTV.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6193-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6194-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6195-1.jpg

Despite everything, all in all, life is pretty good.

Next up: The surprise. AKA Would it cause a problem if I throw a couple of them in the lake?

Disneypubgal

01-27-2010, 09:17 AM

Loving your TR...

Goofy442

01-27-2010, 09:52 AM

Great TR can't wait for more.:banana:

Tinks "SS"

01-27-2010, 02:20 PM

Oh how i wish you would have gotten a pic of them texting in the pool. That would've been so awesome! Crazy kids!!

My two boys will probably be in the pool in 2 weeks no matter what the weather is down there. They love the water and it should be warmer than it is here. lol. The GV looks awesome!!

irenep

01-27-2010, 02:38 PM

Another great day - your TRs are so funny.

Why do I get the impression that you just love your HUGE HDTV?;)

Pixieflip

01-27-2010, 02:49 PM

Okay, first of all, I'm sorry for your loss and for your daughter's loss, too. Sending good wishes and prayers for all of you. :grouphug:

Secondly...
Three of them have cell phones or other electronic devices while they were in the hot tub! One of them was texting! In a hot tub!

This is why they generally don't leave home at 16!!!!!!!!!!!! :lmao: I have a 15 year old son and am thoroughly enjoying and relating to all of this! Thanks for sharing your fun with us. Whenever you get to the rest, we will enjoy it for sure.

KirstenB

01-27-2010, 04:58 PM

I love your dry sense of humor. Our older dd is only 11, so I feel like I'm looking into a crystal ball, reading about goofy teens, water, and electronics!!

Ham Ham

01-27-2010, 04:58 PM

cj9200 - you crack me up!

The girls were probably texting each other in the hot tub! I speak from experience with my 15 year old and her friends - why talk to each other when they are together when they can text each other their thoughts?!?

Being able to swim outdoors sounds absolutely fantastic right about now... it's currently -5 degrees celsius with the wind chill making it feel like -12.

Keep typing,
Kim

cj9200

01-27-2010, 06:35 PM

Loving your TR...

Thank you. I am enjoying writing it.

Great TR can't wait for more.:banana:

Next installment is the Illuminations Cruise and could be up tomorrow.

Oh how i wish you would have gotten a pic of them texting in the pool. That would've been so awesome! Crazy kids!!

My two boys will probably be in the pool in 2 weeks no matter what the weather is down there. They love the water and it should be warmer than it is here. lol. The GV looks awesome!!

There were two pics that I wish I took. One was 3 texting while relaxing in a hot tub, the second is when they first entered the Villa. Sorry but swimming in January is not my idea of fun. But then again, when it is 40 down here, it is cold. Have a great time on your trip.

Another great day - your TRs are so funny.

Why do I get the impression that you just love your HUGE HDTV?;)

Hi, how are you? Thanks for the complement but you must be easily amused. I do not know where you get the idea that I loved MY HUGE HDTV. Actually, I would have been happy to camp out in the room, watch MY HUGE HDTV while occasionally going out on MY balcony to see what was happening on the Boardwalk.

How did the latest family trip go? Did the oldest end up actually going?

Okay, first of all, I'm sorry for your loss and for your daughter's loss, too. Sending good wishes and prayers for all of you. :grouphug:

This is why they generally don't leave home at 16!!!!!!!!!!!! :lmao: I have a 15 year old son and am thoroughly enjoying and relating to all of this! Thanks for sharing your fun with us. Whenever you get to the rest, we will enjoy it for sure.

Thank you and everyone for their good wishes. They are very much appreciated.

Teenagers are a funny species. I am an admittedly overly protective father and was in pit bull mode when any boys were around. Especially at the pool. I approached one kid there who was scoping out the girls and said, “Excuse me son, what are you looking at?” He left to the other side of the pool right away.

Last year, DD had a skating party at the only ice skating rink in Miami (go figure). She invited boys which I was good with just for the entertainment value. We rented a room where the kids could eat and leave their stuff. One kid came up holding his sneakers and I asked him what was he doing? He explained that he was going to put his sneakers in the room. In a straight face, I told him that no he wasn’t and he proceeded to open his shirt and start to put them in there. Then I told him he could leave them in the room. As soon as he left to go skate, I broke out laughing. He went to DD and told her that her dad is mean. Just the signal I wanted to send. Found out recently that 1 dated him for a short while. Told 1’s dad the story and he also broke out laughing.

Don’t get me wrong, I love kids. Even 15+ YO boys. Hey, I was even one once. It was back in the 30’s but yes, I was as goofy as they are now. As a father to a girl, I want them to know that if they mess with her, they have daddy waiting in the background. Not really necessary though since the other members of her pack are a much more intimidating factor. Luckily she hangs out with overachievers and they are good kids. Even the kid I almost made skate around with sneakers in his shirt would be allowed to date DD.

I love your dry sense of humor. Our older dd is only 11, so I feel like I'm looking into a crystal ball, reading about goofy teens, water, and electronics!!

I freely admit that I am sarcastic. My humor is how I like my martinis very dry.

Eleven was a great age so enjoy it now and get ready for the really fun part. Seriously, I loved it when she was a baby, then became a toddler, began reading in pre-school, started and went through elementary school, middle school (oh the horror), and now is in high school. Two and a half years she will be going off to college. They grow up too fast but it is a great ride.

cj9200 - you crack me up!

The girls were probably texting each other in the hot tub! I speak from experience with my 15 year old and her friends - why talk to each other when they are together when they can text each other their thoughts?!?

Being able to swim outdoors sounds absolutely fantastic right about now... it's currently -5 degrees celsius with the wind chill making it feel like -12.

Keep typing,
Kim

They probably were texting each other. I can’t stand this fixation they all have with it. Actually thinking about taking text off of DD’s phone. She would hate me but I can take it. This is probably what they texted. “What are you doing?” “Sitting in a hot tub, what are you doing?” “OMG, LOL, I am sitting in a hot tub too.” “That’s sooooo cool but can you move your knee because it is touching me?”

Grew up in Upstate NY so I know about cold and snow. We first moved down to S. Florida when I was 15. Our house had a pool and the first year we were down here, we took pictures of the family swimming in the pool on New Year’s Day. The next year I looked at the pool in October and said no way. Stay warm.

Chellymouse

01-27-2010, 07:03 PM

bumbershoot

01-27-2010, 08:29 PM

This is probably what they texted. “What are you doing?” “Sitting in a hot tub, what are you doing?” “OMG, LOL, I am sitting in a hot tub too.” “That’s sooooo cool but can you move your knee because it is touching me?”

I do believe you are probably correct. I'm sure that's what I would have been texting then, if texting had existed in conjunction with Duran Duran and INXS!

Disney Princess

01-27-2010, 09:38 PM

I love all the pics of the GV. It is just beautiful. We stayed in the one-story one, so I like seeing the 2-story variety. I am sure the girls' looks were priceless. Thanks for continuing to post during this difficult time. I am sure there is something therapeutic about reliving these fun memories. Can't wait for the Illuminations cruise!

Jillpie

01-28-2010, 12:17 AM

Gosh I love your trip reports! And I love that I have found this one tonight, 9 pages long, it was like a mini book tonight, just awesome. I have three boys, two are in high school so I can completely relate to everything especially the texting! You are so funny, and your honesty is refreshing, don't change a thing. So sorry to hear about your loss. Take your time in finishing, we'll be here to read every last word!

Emma's Dad

01-28-2010, 06:59 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Even though it was expected there is still a loss to mourn and we will keep your family in our prayers!

I must say... I think you really are stupid nuts to go through this trip with these teenagers! :rotfl2: To think I only have 6 more years before my DD hits teenager status... wow... it's going to go quickly. I am loving your TR! You had me cracking up at the part where you were going to take the cell phone upstairs!! :lmao::lmao::lmao: There must be some really interesting things on those phones.....

lisaviolet

01-28-2010, 08:06 AM

MY Entertainment Center, in MY Living Room with MY HUGE Flat Screen HDTV.

MY Bedroom with MY King Size Bed. OMG this is too cool.

MY Jacuzzi Tub to revitalize my tired bones. OMG this is too cool.

MY Bathroom. Do you get the territorial aspect of my tone?

So an only child? :confused3

Oh no. How could I forget? An Italian male. popcorn:::lmao:

lisaviolet

01-28-2010, 08:32 AM

Oh how I love thee DVC!

The view from the lower floor balcony. MY balcony. Did they go and see the view or did you scare them too much? :confused3
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6171-2.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6172-2.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6168-2.jpg

Lovely! I'm sighing right now. I so need to buy some more points. I'm always standing at the double doors at DVC resorts imagining.

The view from MY bedroom. I kept the shades open at night so I would wake up seeing the Yacht/Beach club Nice! I would so do that!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6170-2.jpg

Anyway, I called bell services and the bags were on their way. The kids were not far behind me after finishing tea. I turned on MY HUGE HDTV and sat down on the couch when I heard the fumbling of a key in the door. Dumb me did not have the camera ready. That's good though. Some things are just meant to be taken in.

The kids came in and the expression on their faces was priceless. Forget what I just said. :lmao: How could you NOT have that camera ready? :rotfl:;) Talk about shock and awe. I expect it was the same one that was on my face when I first opened the door. Again, why don’t they have a photopass photographer there. They should! What's wrong with Disney? They took a second or two, confused on what to do next and then they ran on mass up the stairs. One of them said, “This is better than my house.” well I can see they live well.:goodvibes Because it would be better than all my residences. DD was in the lead claiming mine, mine, mine Love it! (to the other poster I did not get one of the shirts, should have thought of it.) She, 1 and 2 claimed the second bedroom relegating the rest of them to what I referred to as the servants’ quarters. Boy I've been wondering since the beginning about the group dynamics of teenage girls and power levels. :goodvibes Not bad servants’ quarters.

They came downstairs again as a herd to explore the first floor. Some of them approached the line that cannot be crossed. I barked, “YOU SHALL NOT PASS.” I told everyone they needed to back away from MY room and the rules were then explained. You may look at the Master Room and Bath this one time but afterward, that is MY RELM. You have to use the bathroom or take a shower, I do not care if there is a line out the door, you will go upstairs. There will be no cosmetics in MY bathroom. OMG. :lmao: The community area is going to stay free of stuff and be kept clean. Other than that, they were free to enjoy.

Bell services came and before they were allowed to play, they had to take their bags to the room, put away the food stuff and someone had to get ice. 6 and 4 volunteered and were sent out with the ice bucket. Much giggling and music playing was going on upstairs. They were changing clothes. For what? Do teenage girls actually need a reason? NO. You will see in a bit. After an eternity (15 minutes of so), 4 and 6 come back with no ice. “There is no ice machine on this floor.” Instead of sending them out again with orders not to come back alive without ice, I let them go upstairs so they could also change. I got ice instead. The ice machine was two or three doors down from our room.:rotfl::lmao::rotfl: Of course it was.

Pointed this fact out to them later. These kids are super smart and they can’t get ice? Isn't that something?

I told them to count to five after the light turned green before launching. I knew from experience because this happened to me one time at the water parks. I was going down a slide and the person in front of me decided he wasn’t into going down a water slide. He had his hands and feet splayed on the sides to do his best to go down as slowly as possible. Turned around a curve and here is this guy inching his way down the ride. Tried to hit the brakes but we still hit pretty hard. He looked at me and was about to say something but I preemptively said, “Are you stupid nuts?” Well, in order of full disclosure that wasn’t exactly what I said, I did use non Disney approved language.

Vero Beach. Practicing my speed runs for the next days's competition. Am doing well. Turn a corner and there he is - a ten year old boy SITTING on the slide. The terror. Out of body. Like how is there a non-moving body on a fast slide. How? Tried to slow down. Futile. Not pretty. And neither are the flashbacks. :lmao::rotfl:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6183-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6186-1.jpg

I mentioned to the BW lifeguard if they cause any problems he has my permission to put them to work scrubbing the pool, picking up garbage or any crummy tasks that needed to be done. He had a chuckle. He thought I was kidding but of course I wasn’t. :lmao::rotfl::lmao:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6187-1.jpg

Before I took this picture, I walked over to the hot tub to again chastise them for being in water in January. You obviously didn't have a big enough cocktail. :surfweb:

?

lisaviolet

01-28-2010, 08:38 AM

Grew up in Upstate NY so I know about cold and snow. We first moved down to S. Florida when I was 15.

There we go. :surfweb:

Through all these TRs I've been wondering - because of your type of humour - if you are a transplanted Canadian.

Upstate New York - close enough. :lmao:

cj9200

01-28-2010, 07:26 PM

Please know that you and DD are in my thoughts and prayers. Just got caught up and I'm so sorry to hear about her mom. Thank you for continuing to share your TR during this difficult time in your lives. :grouphug:

Thank you so much. The TR is for DD so she can remember what it was like. Also for me. I found myself revisiting old TR’s to see how she has changed and grown up.

I do believe you are probably correct. I'm sure that's what I would have been texting then, if texting had existed in conjunction with Duran Duran and INXS!

Not Duran Duran! Texting Yes but not Duran Duran. (If I did smiley face things I would put one here)

I love all the pics of the GV. It is just beautiful. We stayed in the one-story one, so I like seeing the 2-story variety. I am sure the girls' looks were priceless. Thanks for continuing to post during this difficult time. I am sure there is something therapeutic about reliving these fun memories. Can't wait for the Illuminations cruise!

I would love to know the difference between a 1 and 2 story GV. Thank god they gave me a two story one. That way the munchkins had their exclusive space and more importantly I had MY exclusive space.

Gosh I love your trip reports! And I love that I have found this one tonight, 9 pages long, it was like a mini book tonight, just awesome. I have three boys, two are in high school so I can completely relate to everything especially the texting! You are so funny, and your honesty is refreshing, don't change a thing. So sorry to hear about your loss. Take your time in finishing, we'll be here to read every last word!

Thank you for your thoughts. Three boys? You have my deepest sympathy. I have it easy in comparison.

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Even though it was expected there is still a loss to mourn and we will keep your family in our prayers!

I must say... I think you really are stupid nuts to go through this trip with these teenagers! :rotfl2: To think I only have 6 more years before my DD hits teenager status... wow... it's going to go quickly. I am loving your TR! You had me cracking up at the part where you were going to take the cell phone upstairs!! :lmao::lmao::lmao: There must be some really interesting things on those phones.....

Thank you and everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

I am sure you agree we dads of daughters constantly do stupid nuts things for our precious little girls. Some advice to you: Hang on to your hats and glasses it is going to be a wild ride. Maybe not in the wilderness though. Seriously, enjoy every day with her.

There we go. :surfweb:

Through all these TRs I've been wondering - because of your type of humour - if you are a transplanted Canadian.

Upstate New York - close enough. :lmao:

I can use me some back bacon, eah. Love your comments in the previous posts.

cj9200

01-28-2010, 07:38 PM

Ever spent time enduring Chinese water torture? Drip, Drip, Drip. That is nothing compared to waiting for 7 girls to get ready to go out. No idea what they are doing up there and quite honestly I do not care to know. Thank god there was vodka, MY balcony and MY big screen TV.

I set an early deadline and they met it. Much to my surprise. In the letter I sent to each parent, there was a notation for the kids to have some stuff so they could dress warm one night. Did they? No. Don’t they know they are from Florida?

Not two seconds off the elevator, the whining began. I am hungry, are we getting something to eat? On and on and on. I bought two pizzas at the General Store and if they were hungry and did not take two hours to get ready, they could have had something to eat. They finished tea at 4:00 and it is less than four hours since they had food. I told them that they were not going to die if they did not eat in the next 15 minutes. 1 was the worst and hence her nickname. It was well earned here and the rest of the trip. We made a bet on the way home that she could not whine about something for an hour. Her response was, “What do I get if I do?” Think Fran Dresher’s voice.

We had plenty of time and I thought it would be spent watching the entertainers on the Boardwalk. Well, no shows were going on. So instead, we got to the ESPN club and I told them here this is our big surprise. Get in line. It will probably take an hour or so before we get in. Much rolling of the eyes.

Waiting in line at ESPN
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6205-1.jpg

While they were waiting, I had a smoke. OK, I quit but took the habit up again a short time ago. Significantly pared down at Disney and quit again when we got back. Took it up again after recent events and will quit again in a short time. Don’t judge me.

After the smoke, I said, “OK, this is not the surprise.” Some of the kids were fooled but DD was not one of them. She knows me too well. While earlier staying overnight at the house, 1 found the trip itinerary open on the computer and knew what we were doing. To her credit, she didn’t say a thing.

We stroll over to the Yacht/Beach marina and I ask a CM on the dock how do we get to our boat and can you throw a couple of bags of chips to these “starving” children. He asks me for my name and said he would find our skipper. We needed to walk back to the entrance which I missed. Probably rolling my eyes over all the, “We are going to die if we do not eat soon.”

At the entrance to the dock we are greeted by a CM who asks our name. He directs me to where to pay. Hand over the room card ($325 with tax, not cheap) and am informed that Michael will be our Captain. I of course asked if we had to have Michael. I need some entertainment value for the $325 I just handed over. The CM there did not miss a beat. He told me of course not. But he has a 65% success rate of returning passengers after the cruise which is much better than most Captain’s. I said I don’t care about the others, as long as I get back.

Went back to the dock and after a short time, Captain Michael was there ready to escort us to our vessel.

Standing next to the boat
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6206-1.jpg

While they were in the boat
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6208-1.jpg

Sitting in the boat
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6209-1.jpg

Before we took off the munching began. There were sodas and chips available. It was like they had not been fed in two weeks. Chips and Doritos flying everywhere.

We took off and started over to MGM (Sorry, Hollywood Studios). Part of the gang.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6210-1.jpg

The other part.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6213-1.jpg

One view from the boat. Most of the scenery pics were deleted because they were too dark or blurry.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6216.jpg

Michael was a fantastic Captain. He was full of knowledge but judged how much he should talk based on if the kids wanted to talk to each other (no texting involved) or listen to him. We found out that someone screwed up with the icons on top of the Swan and Dolphin which I already knew. The swans were supposed to be on the now dolphin resort and vice-a-versa but somebody that I am sure got fired mixed them up.

We then tooled around the lake for a bit. He asked if anyone wanted to drive and 4 immediately said me, me, me. That surprised me a bit because 4 was kind of the quiet type around me. DD, who I thought would want to do it declined.

So, 4 got to drive.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6218-1.jpg

This was the reaction of the girls right before we hit the retaining wall.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6219-1.jpg

Of course since you did not hear it on the news, you know she did not hit the retaining wall. We then were on the lagoon (honestly, I do not know what it is called is it a lake or lagoon or pond, I did not care.) and the Breathless II was around us. I kiddingly asked Captain Michael if we could race it. Surprisingly, he said let’s see. He yelled over at the Breathless II and the skipper made some obscure hand signals. Seems the couple on the boat were more timid and did not want to go fast. We of course called them chickens and made chicken sounds and flapped our wings. If you were on the Breathless II that night I am sorry for the display we made. Your fault though, you should not have been chicken.

We then made our way to the bridge. Just before we parked Michael pointed out a painting displayed right before we get to the bridge.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6225-1.jpg
The next time you are walking over the bridge look down and then look up. This attention to detail is one of the things that makes Disney great.

So we park next to this group of nice people. This is when the cake came out. I ordered it from the Y/B in-room dining and they delivered to the boat. They asked if I wanted chocolate or yellow cake. No brainer.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6232-1.jpg

After happy birthday to you (joined in by the other boat) another feeding frenzy began.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6233-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6234-1.jpg

Told the boat next to us if the kids get unruly, they could go offshore and grab stones to throw at them. We also noticed that they did not eat any of their snacks and more than one of us thought about boarding their vessel and commandeering their chips.

Running out of pic space so next up the fireworks.

cj9200

01-28-2010, 07:54 PM

Soon Jiminy was telling us that Illuminations would begin in five minutes. What a show. Here are some pics but they do not represent how great it was.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6236-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6238-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6239-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6245-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6246-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6247-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6249-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6256-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6260-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6267-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6268-1.jpg

This was expensive but it was worth it to me. Mostly I sat back and watched. And listened. Heard lots of oohs and aahs from the kids. We did this once when DD was celebrating her 3rd birthday. Had both sets of grandparents down for a couple of days during the trip and this was one of the surprises. DD dropped some bauble thing off the boat and began to cry. Luckily on the old boats, there was a ledge at the stern and the bauble was there. Picked it up and gave it back to her. Don’t remember if I wiped it off or not. Probably not.

At the time of this cruise three of the seven of us are no longer around. The fourth passed away not long after. Thought back to that time while I was looking at how grown up DD has gotten. My eyes misted up, not from the sentiment but from the smoke from the fireworks. Honestly. Mom always liked what I called the screaming meany fireworks (the ones that whistle when they come down). When they went off, I leaned over to DD and asked whose are these fireworks? She of course answered mom’s.

After wiping the mist from my eyes because of the smoke (honestly), on the boat trip back we faced a decision. DD wanted to do a kitchen sink sometime during the trip. Now was the time to do it if we were going to. A discussion was held and they decided they had enough junk food and wanted real food. Yes, frozen pizza.

Here are some pics from the ride back.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6282-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6284-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6287-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6288-1.jpg

After deciding not to go for Beaches and Cream and the Kitchen Sink we landed at the Boardwalk Pier. Again, Michael was a fantastic tour guide and skipper.

Up next: Walking around the Boardwalk and our first night home. AKA How fast can they devour these pizzas.

kritter

01-28-2010, 08:28 PM

I am soo sorry for your loss!!

Sandy321

01-28-2010, 09:04 PM

I just want to thank you and your dd for sharing such an awesome experience with me (and all the other lurkers, posters, internet... :rolleyes1) I so appreciate your sense of humor - and honor...

I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for your courage in continuing on with life, and this trip report. You have an amazing story to tell, and to share with others. Life is short - memories, priceless. Thank you.

bumbershoot

01-28-2010, 10:02 PM

Some of the smoke from the fireworks seems to have traveled up to Tacoma as I read that last bit. (Honestly.)

DenLo

01-28-2010, 10:13 PM

Your trip report will give your DD some memories of fun and good times that could easily be forgotten in this time of sadness.

Continue to take care of your DD and may both of you remember the happy times with DM and be content that she has gone to happier place.

Thanks for sharing with all of us.

Ciciwoowoo

01-29-2010, 12:57 AM

Gosh, I am really enjoying your trip report. Thank you for sharing!

I am really sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter.

You're a great dad!!!

erosenst

01-29-2010, 09:24 AM

The oddest thing just happened - some smoke from the fireworks just came into my office. Right as I was reading about the screaming meanies, and the conversation with DD about them.

Goofy442

01-29-2010, 11:40 AM

My sons would love that cruise. Did you stay around the gate area of Epcot?
Thanks for the update:cool1:

Liljam

01-29-2010, 06:26 PM

Geesh, that firework smoke, got me on the last bit too (honestly!)

The cake looks yummy! Was it absolutely delicious? I ordered a custom one for my DS's who will be turning 2 and 15 in Feb. for our upcoming THV trip next week and I'm excited to try it. I ordered Vanilla with custard filling but skipped the strawberries! The cruise looks like such a wonderful thing to do with family and I'm wishing I had done that for our trip now. Thanks again for your TRs. I may write one some day, although it may not be as entertaining. I did start doing something for my youngest son after our first trip in a hand written journal sort of like the music and picture journal in Elizabethtown. I want to have that for him as he grows up.

kdzgon

01-29-2010, 07:13 PM

...This is hard to read but the note said there was a special surprise if you looked at all the petals. They had a Mickey bauble tied around one of the stems.
...
Up next: The fun continues

So, usually as I read your TRs I have occasional tears, albeit from laughter. This time, a silly little detail brought up unexpected memories. We lost our DD (technically my step-) last year after a short but brutal battle with cancer. We were actually in WDW for a New Year's trip, and DD sent us a floral arrangement which also included one of those trinkets. It was on that same trip that we received a call from her, telling us the her diagnosis was Stage IV melanoma. Just three months earlier we had been on a Grand Gathering of 34, including DD, who at the time was presumably the picture of health.

I still have that silly little trinket, as well as the Mickey basket from the arrangement.

As I read of the loss of DD's mom, my first thought was how lucky you all were to have managed that NY's trip not so very long ago. (Of course it cannot begin to make up for DD's loss of her mom, but what a precious gift those memories are/will be.) With the mention of the "gem" you reminded me that we, too have a similar precious gift of memories to help during those inevitable difficult times.

Sorry to derail your thread for a moment, but I wanted to share and thank you for you for both your wonderful TRs and the memory jog from this one in particular.

It sounds like you and your daughter have a wonderful relationship, teenage status and all. Thank you for allowing all these strangers (myself included) to peek inside your joint world now and again!

lisaviolet

01-30-2010, 06:48 PM

Soon Jiminy was telling us that Illuminations would begin in five minutes. What a show. Here are some pics but they do not represent how great it was.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6236-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6238-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6239-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6245-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6246-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6247-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6249-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6256-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6260-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6267-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6268-1.jpg

.

Wow, what wonderful memories. Sighing.

Those pictures. I almost felt like I was there. Nice. It must have been something! The pictures are stunning and you said they don't give the full effect - so I must do this one day.

Q: I'm noticing that 1 and 2? :lmao: (so funny to use these numbers and I'm probably mixing them up. I mean DD's best friend and one of the blondes) are habitually around your daughter. Did the weekend play out like that? Like a sweet pecking order? I don't why the he!! I'm so interested in such things. :lmao: My God.

So, usually as I read your TRs I have occasional tears, albeit from laughter. This time, a silly little detail brought up unexpected memories. We lost our DD (technically my step-) last year after a short but brutal battle with cancer. We were actually in WDW for a New Year's trip, and DD sent us a floral arrangement which also included one of those trinkets. It was on that same trip that we received a call from her, telling us the her diagnosis was Stage IV melanoma. Just three months earlier we had been on a Grand Gathering of 34, including DD, who at the time was presumably the picture of health.

I still have that silly little trinket, as well as the Mickey basket from the arrangement.

As I read of the loss of DD's mom, my first thought was how lucky you all were to have managed that NY's trip not so very long ago. (Of course it cannot begin to make up for DD's loss of her mom, but what a precious gift those memories are/will be.) With the mention of the "gem" you reminded me that we, too have a similar precious gift of memories to help during those inevitable difficult times.

Sorry to derail your thread for a moment, but I wanted to share and thank you for you for both your wonderful TRs and the memory jog from this one in particular.

It sounds like you and your daughter have a wonderful relationship, teenage status and all. Thank you for allowing all these strangers (myself included) to peek inside your joint world now and again!

:hug:. Sighing.

Your post is so true. We just never know. I'm so sorry.

cj9200

01-31-2010, 08:24 AM

I am soo sorry for your loss!!

Thank you. To let you know, we are doing OK.

I just want to thank you and your dd for sharing such an awesome experience with me (and all the other lurkers, posters, internet... :rolleyes1) I so appreciate your sense of humor - and honor...

Life is short - memories, priceless. Thank you.

Thank you. You are right, life is short and memories are priceless.

Some of the smoke from the fireworks seems to have traveled up to Tacoma as I read that last bit. (Honestly.)

Disney has some powerful smoke. Thank you, that was nice.

Your trip report will give your DD some memories of fun and good times that could easily be forgotten in this time of sadness.

Thanks for sharing with all of us.

I enjoy reliving them. For myself and as a keepsake for her.

You're a great dad!!!

No, just doing what most dads would do (unfortunately not all). Congratulations on the soon to be upcoming arrival.

The oddest thing just happened - some smoke from the fireworks just came into my office. Right as I was reading about the screaming meanies, and the conversation with DD about them.

What is with all this smoke?

My sons would love that cruise. Did you stay around the gate area of Epcot?
Thanks for the update:cool1:

We started at Y/B Marina. The itinerary is that you go from there to Hollywood Studios and tool around the lake for while. You park under the large bridge that I think is around France amd yes near the gate. The globe ends up right in front of you and you can see the highest fireworks. Nice viewing area but maybe not the most perfect. The best thing is there are no crowds around.

Geesh, that firework smoke, got me on the last bit too (honestly!)

The cake looks yummy! Was it absolutely delicious? Thanks again for your TRs. I may write one some day, although it may not be as entertaining. I did start doing something for my youngest son after our first trip in a hand written journal sort of like the music and picture journal in Elizabethtown. I want to have that for him as he grows up.

Sorry again about the smoke. I am not a chocolate fan so just took a couple of bites. It was real tasty. The kids loved it. Love the idea of a journal. Much more personalized than typing on a computer. A couple of years when DD stayed with me over the summer when I was living in NY, I made her write a journal. Some interesting stuff in it.

Kdzgon My deepest sympathy. I am sending a PM.

Wow, what wonderful memories. Sighing.

Those pictures. I almost felt like I was there. Nice. It must have been something! The pictures are stunning and you said they don't give the full effect - so I must do this one day.

Q: I'm noticing that 1 and 2? :lmao: (so funny to use these numbers and I'm probably mixing them up. I mean DD's best friend and one of the blondes) are habitually around your daughter. Did the weekend play out like that? Like a sweet pecking order? I don't why the he!! I'm so interested in such things. :lmao: My God.

The cruise was expensive but cool. Very nice for group celebrations.

The numbers were kind of random. 1 was 1 because she and DD hang out a lot including our trips to Disney. 2 has moved up in the pecking order since soccer camp and probably stayed at the house a night or two before writing the pre trip. The rest except six were randomly drawn as I remembered who was going. 6 was the late addition.

Before the trip, I was worried about group dynamics. DD and I had a conversation last night when I asked if mini herds formed and she answered not really. It was kind of natural that 1 & 2 joined DD in the second bedroom. The second bed in the room was used as a repository for clothes and things so the three of them crammed into one bed. Why, who knows? Interesting that 6 was sitting next to her on the cruise. The bird cage picture was staged and they decided who sat next to each other.

cj9200

01-31-2010, 08:25 AM

This is a short update and it will be a few days for the report to start up again with our day at the park.

We got off the boat and they were on a junk food and cake high. We were walking down the Boardwalk to the room and we ran into “this guy.”

He is my favorite of the entertainers at the Boardwalk. I think he has been there since day one. Really funny guy and show. He uses his bike (seen in the background) to get around and gin up business. Unfortunately someone was dumb enough to answer his phone while the show was going on. He grabbed it, had a brief conversation with the other person and said he was in the middle of a show so don’t call back. Here is that pic.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6294-1.jpg

DD and 4 enjoying the show.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6295-1.jpg

Another pic with half of her balloons from the boat ride.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6296-1.jpg

We get back to the room and DD and 2 took over the kitchen. Pizzas were in and the other kids were wandering around. I prepared a cocktail and was on the couch watching MY HUGE HDTV. They decided to take the helium out of one set of the balloons and talk in funny voices.

While the pizzas were cooking, some of the kids who noticed that I have internet and asked if they could use it because they needed to do research for their homework. I of course said sure but in the back of my mind I am thinking you are at Disney World and you are doing homework? There are actual pictures of these kids at WDW doing homework. I will post them if I can find them. Take that other nations that think American youth are academically challenged. I will put these kids up against anyone. Just don’t ask them to get ice.

Once the pizzas were devoured, some more studying was done, some goofing around. They started playing music and it got to be too much for me and I asked them to turn it down. Had a mini fight over that. Mostly because it was getting late. They also left a mess in the kitchen and on the table which hacked me off. DD, 2 and one other that I do not remember cleaned up (I had to go back afterward to clean up their clean up). DD and 2 stayed down and they were hacked off that most of the kids thought it was OK just to leave their plate where it was.

DD and 2 stayed behind to chat with me for a bit while I was on the couch and they let me in on the dirt with the group dynamics. Things were actually going OK, some minor funny things going on. Can’t reveal the dirt, I pinky swore. They went up to bed and after a few yells to be quiet, they settled down for the night. I enjoyed MY Jacuzzi and then MY king sized bed.

Up next: The Parks day. AKA Are they going to make it to the bus or am I going to enjoy Animal Kingdom alone? Sorry the TR has drawn out longer than I intended.

LindaBabe

01-31-2010, 11:13 AM

never you mind ! We're not asking for fast just - eventually :) You're doing a great job!

Goofy442

01-31-2010, 11:52 AM

All good things will come to those who wait. I'm waiting :lmao:
Great TR:cool1:

Ellester

01-31-2010, 07:10 PM

First of all, I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss. It's wonderful that your dd has such a great daddy to get her through this time. She is a blessed young lady.

I am so enjoying your report! The dynamics of the "herd" take me back to my (much) younger days. There is just no explaining the actions of teen girls sometimes! And your comment about rooting for Tech over UNC endeared you to me. (GO JACKETS!) I grew up in Broward and agree that I would NEVER have entered the pool after October! My kids do not have that bias, not having ever lived in FL. They happily swim at my dad's house in Lake Worth any time we are down there.

Looking forward to more (but certainly no pressure!).

Emma's Dad

02-01-2010, 08:04 AM

Just don’t ask them to get ice.

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao: That is just TOO funny!! :rotfl2::rotfl2:

Sorry the TR has drawn out longer than I intended.

You are traveling at the speed of light compared to mine! HAHA! Nice update! I can only imagine what else that guy was saying on the cell phone.....

lisaviolet

02-02-2010, 06:10 PM

They decided to take the helium out of one set of the balloons and talk in funny voices.

.

So funny. :lmao: Ah to be young and find your fun around every corner. :dance3:

Well I guess that cocktail came in handy. Good timing.

liznboys

02-04-2010, 10:26 AM

I'm so sorry about your DD's mom, I'm glad she's at peace.

... Is that a Donald medal around your neck for running the half this year? Way to go. Even if the hamstring didn’t get me and we went, running in sleet sure would have. A well deserved Congrats!

Yes it is, thanks. It was quite the experience running in the snow/sleet/freezing rain in WDW!

Still loving your hilarious report! :)

DenLo

02-08-2010, 05:30 PM

popcorn::

lisaviolet

02-09-2010, 02:39 PM

Since I know you just ADORE the icons. You know the ones you wish you had the guts to use. ;)

:goodvibes and :wave: and :hug: to you both.

cj9200

02-09-2010, 06:53 PM

OK, where were we? I was tucked into MY King size bed sleeping all the while twitching uncontrollably with visions of the next day when they were let loose on the park. The worst was when I dreamed that Disney security burst into MY Grand Villa and demanded my DVC member card and park tickets and unceremoniously shredded them. I am banished from Disney?

Before everyone went to bed a couple of rules were reviewed. They were not to go anywhere alone and had to have at least one other person with them if they left the pack. There were regular updates to me when we separated, and if they were not on time for the bus they would have to wait until the Hollywood Studios reservation to enter a park. You see kiddos, I have your tickets. If you are not with me, then you can’t enter the parks.

The last one was in addition to an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT suggestion from DMKEDM. When she took a mob to WDW, she told the kids that if they were late to any checkpoint, they would be strapped to her by a child leash until the next checkpoint time. I adopted the idea and dubbed it the “Leash of Shame.”

The Leash of Shame. Actually one of the dog’s leashes.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6464.jpg

Will it be invoked?
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6465.jpg

Just getting back into the swing of things and will leave you with a picture I found of two of the girls actually studying. What gives with this generation? Studying at Disney?

Studying started right after helium and the funny voice talking.

A lot of them paired up to help each other with homework.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0045.jpg

More tomorrow or Thursday. I promise.

DMKEDM

02-09-2010, 07:31 PM

So glad to see you back...how's your DD doing? I lost my mom when I was 47 and it still hurts, down deep, 11 years later (did I just tell everyone how old I am?...oh, well, I am that old, so who cares?)...I don't mean to minimize your own loss, but I ache for that DD of yours...give her an extra hug from her cyber-friends, ok?

And you just made my day showing the pic of the "leash of shame"...sure hope it never got used! I never thought of a dog leash (but then I didn't have a dog back then)...I used one of those baby leashes...I'm pretty sure they're buy-able on site at Disney, too, in case anyone ever needs one "last minute!"

Tell us more; we so need the "distraction!"...we're buried under 27 inches of snow here in the Wash, DC area (and "snowmageddon" cratered my scheduled 2/7-2/12 trip to BLT, too)...with another 12 now falling on our poor unprotected little heads (well, we are protected--for the moment, anyway, I have a warm and dry house (knock wood; they're predicting widespread loss of power and roof cave-in's from the weight of all this snow), some power (a power surge "killed" several outlets/circuits in my house; but some still work); internet access, cable tv, and food...so what if I can't drive? (my street is completely impassable)--

So...MORE MORE MORE! Pretty please with sugar on top? Maybe as a reward for the leash of shame?

Disney Princess

02-09-2010, 09:11 PM

I love that they did homework on vacation - and they say the next generation doesn't care about education. Of course it is too funny that you did remind us that ice was a challenge; I guess we all have strengths and weaknesses. :rolleyes1

I cannot wait to see who had to wear the leash of shame and who didn't get to use their park ticket that you were so responsibly holding onto. . . Just when you get the chance. I need something to read to get me through this week.

bumbershoot

02-10-2010, 02:34 AM

...I don't mean to minimize your own loss, but I ache for that DD of yours...give her an extra hug from her cyber-friends, ok?

Tell us more; we so need the "distraction!"...we're buried under 27 inches of snow here in the Wash, DC area (and "snowmageddon" cratered my scheduled 2/7-2/12 trip to BLT, too)...with another 12 now falling on our poor unprotected little heads --

I agree with that extra hug. I'm about to hit my 10 year mark and I'm feeling it every single day right now, and just want to gather people up in my arms...

Ah, snowmageddon. I lived in Burke, VA for the Blizzard of '96 (January, I believe). Then in December I moved out to western WA, and drove into town, and...what started a day later? The Blizzard of '96! I got TWO Blizzards of '96s! How cool was that? Anyway, so I'm hoping that snow out there in January will mean snow next December for us. :goodvibes

Seeing the pix of the studying made me think of my brother and his "crew", and it made me realize that wait, HE was living in Miami at the time that he was in approximately 18 million AP classes, and it makes me wonder if they are going to "his" high school. Entirely too large, and then they jammed 9th grade into an already overcrowded school while he was going into his senior year (this was ages ago)...in the area that a kid living where Country Walk Estates used to be (pre-Andrew) could go?

cj9200

02-10-2010, 06:59 PM

To everyone, thank you for your patience, thoughts and support. I want you to know that DD and I are doing well.

Tell us more; we so need the "distraction!"...we're buried under 27 inches of snow here in the Wash, DC area (and "snowmageddon" cratered my scheduled 2/7-2/12 trip to BLT, too)...with another 12 now falling on our poor unprotected little heads (well, we are protected--for the moment, anyway, I have a warm and dry house (knock wood; they're predicting widespread loss of power and roof cave-in's from the weight of all this snow), some power (a power surge "killed" several outlets/circuits in my house; but some still work); internet access, cable tv, and food...so what if I can't drive? (my street is completely impassable)--

So...MORE MORE MORE! Pretty please with sugar on top? Maybe as a reward for the leash of shame?

Hope you stay warm, dry and with electricity. Very sorry to hear about the trip and I hope you can reschedule it soon. Next installment is in the next post. Now I barely proofed it and may play with it later. In honor of the Leash of Shame, only DMKEDM can read it. OK, and those going through the blizzard.

I cannot wait to see who had to wear the leash of shame and who didn't get to use their park ticket

Did they get the park tickets are next. Leash of Shame maybe a little later.

Ah, snowmageddon. I lived in Burke, VA for the Blizzard of '96 (January, I believe). Then in December I moved out to western WA, and drove into town, and...what started a day later? The Blizzard of '96! I got TWO Blizzards of '96s! How cool was that? Anyway, so I'm hoping that snow out there in January will mean snow next December for us. :goodvibes

That is cool. When I was in New York, I lived through two blizzards (different years though). After most of the first one was over, I took the subway and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. That was fun. And some good pictures. NY friends thought I was nuts. Sorry, it is not the same school as your brother’s.

cj9200

02-10-2010, 07:01 PM

Park Day Part 1 – For me at least. AKA Will all the kids make it?

Today we were headed to the parks. The plan is for all of us to start out together and head to the Animal Kingdom. Mickey was set to wake us at 7:00. They had orders to be at the bus stop by 7:45 so we can make opening at 9:00. I was going to give them until 8:00 before I grabbed a bus and went to the park.

I was up at a little before six so I went out on MY balcony to watch the resort come to life. I really like this time of day here. Well, night is also pretty cool. Delivery vehicles are moving around dropping off supplies and merchandise, walkers and joggers are starting their trek around the Boardwalk and the sun is coming up. Ahh, the anticipation of a new day at Disney.

Yacht/Beach
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6322.jpg

Boardwalk
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6323.jpg

This CM has a cool job tooling around the lake/lagoon/pond. What the heck is the name of it? I should know.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6325.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6327.jpg

Now let the games begin. I phoned DD to get her started a little before Mickey called. Couple more calls to finally get them stirring. 5 was down early because she needed to go to the van to get her wallet. Geesh. We go out to the car and see an Animal Kingdom bus pull up. Not going to make that one. Sent 5 back to the room to put her wallet and the car keys away. By now, DD was not answering her phone so I called 1. Told them in no uncertain terms that if another AK bus pulls up, I am on it even if they are not. Meet you at Hollywood Studios for lunch.

A few minutes later an AK bus turns the corner and I phone 1 again, “The bus is here.” She screams, “No, don’t go. We are in the lobby.” After everyone already waiting gets on, I see the first of the kids running to the stop. I told the bus driver we had runners coming and believe it or not, they made it.

Their plan was to do AK, meet me for lunch at the Studios, then head over to EPCOT, and finally make to the MK till park closing at 2 am.

Don’t think 3 is going to make it to 2 am.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6328.jpg

We made it to the park before opening. DD, 1, (maybe 2) and I got through security and made it to the gate relatively quickly. The rest lagged behind. That would be frustrating if I was with them the whole day. We had a game plan. DD and 1 would take the right side and head briskly without running to grab the FPs for our trip to the Himalayas while the rest of us would wait for them at Safari.

Here is the opening ceremony
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6330.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6331.jpg

Waiting for our side to let us through
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6332.jpg

The rope is dropped and we are off on our separate missions.

The tree.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6335.jpg

We get to safari and a chorus of, “I’m hungry” starts. I point out to them that there was a lot of grab and go breakfast stuff at the room. Since they took forever to get up and had to sprint to the bus stop without getting something to eat, they were on their own. There was a fruit stand but of course they head to the pastry one. I grab something for DD and 1. It is taking a while for those two to show up. A couple of kids call and we hear they are on their way. It took them a while longer for them to appear but you figure Everest FP can be a madhouse at opening. We enter the line with a 20 minute wait listed.

OK, here is the true story. A few days after we get back, DD and I am driving home from school and DD says, “You might get a little mad at me.” “WHAT?” Well, when the rope dropped, they walked briskly without running to the FP machines. They were the first one there! They both play soccer and run track so some jogging might have been involved.

Once they get the Fastpasses, their mission was accomplished and they start heading over to Safari. Unfortunately, they had to pass the queue to Everest on the way to meet us and there was no one in line. They decide why not? They could have gone on the first train but they wanted to ride up front so they waited for the second one.

In the car she asked if I was mad at her. My response: “What were you thinking? There was no one in line for EVEREST and you thought for one second I would be mad that you took advantage of it? There comes times at Disney when you must abandon the herd and it is every one for them self. I would have done the same thing.” Chip off the old block.

So things are good. The selfish ones are demolishing their pastry and the line starts moving OK. Then I notice I do not hear any vehicles running. The line stops dead and we are barely into the queue. After a while we hear an announcement that the wildebeests are migrating across the Serengeti and it will be a short wait. It turned out to be about 35-40 minutes before we finally were ready to board.

Waiting in line
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6336-1.jpg

Here comes our bus
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6337.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6338.jpg

Various parings for our two week safari into the jungle

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6340.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6342.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6344.jpg

I thought I may lose one two here but they did not fall for the, “Go pet them, they are tame” routine.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6346.jpg

Am not posting a lot of pics so we can get to Everest part of the trip. Is this elephant purposely shunning the paparazzi?
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6354.jpg

I actually heard him roar one time. Impressive.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6359.jpg

The shutterbug took a lot of tilted pics like this
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0055.jpg

After the elephant formally known as Little Red was saved, we headed to use our Everest FPs. Good amount of animals out and the kids seemed to enjoy it.

They stopped to play the drums
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6362.jpg

And I made them pose for a picture
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6364.jpg

At Everest
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6365.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6366.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6368.jpg

Here we go
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6370.jpg

Everest was a blast as usual. Thumbs up from everyone. For a few of the kids it was the first time on the ride. It is always nice to have rookies with you.

Out of picture space so that is it for now. Up next, what they did and what I did. And maybe what we did.

Harlemgirl720

02-10-2010, 07:04 PM

I had to cancel my trip too. Was supposed to leave tomorrow but trains, planes, automobiles are messed up. At least we are going in August but now to use those points before January:eek:

Pixieflip

02-10-2010, 07:15 PM

That is hilarious that she was afraid you'd be mad!! Good for them on riding with no line!! :thumbsup2

LindaBabe

02-10-2010, 07:28 PM

Glad to hear you're both ok! Thanks for the update :)

DMKEDM

02-10-2010, 08:19 PM

cj9200...loved my "private post" (shared w/all those living through the blizzard--actually or vicariously...saw on network news tonight that 107 million--yes, MILLION--people got hit by this storm...Balto, DC and Philly all set new all-time seasonal snow records...amazing...

Anyway...your TR is taking some of the sting out of my cratered trip ...

I'm going to adopt your "just leave 'em" strategy...even at age 22, DS and his friend(s) poke about getting ready to go...drives me crazy...next time I'm just gonna tell 'em I'm leaving, with them if they're there and w/out them if they're not!

And your DD wins the gold star of the trip for being smart enough to ride EE w/no line and for knowing that if she said she thought you might be mad, deep-down she knew, oh yes she knew, she did exactly the right thing!

Can't wait for the next installment...so far, electricity is holding on...we have a neighborhood-wide snowman/fort-building snowball fight at the neighborhood park tomorrow...hopefully that will help w/some of the crankiness "snowmageddon and its progeny" brought along w/its 38 inches of snow and high winds! Your TR is definitely helping...thanks!

DenLo

02-10-2010, 08:27 PM

Don't you love those "chip off the old block" moments? How could anyone fault them for taking advantage of a walk on at EE?

Tinks "SS"

02-11-2010, 08:36 AM

Yeah! So excited to read an update! It sounds awesome! I am reading on here getting myself awake so i can pack us up to leave for half our trip this afternoon afater school. I can't wait for my kids to get old enough so i can "leave" them if they are being poky. Not trying to age them too quickly though.;)

I think i would have been more upset if they hadn't taken that opportunity to ride EE with no line. HELLO! It was calling them. lol Love the pic of the one falling asleep in the bus! priceless!!

Off to pack now! Can't wait to read more!

Goofy442

02-11-2010, 09:05 AM

I had to cancel my trip too. Was supposed to leave tomorrow but trains, planes, automobiles are messed up. At least we are going in August but now to use those points before January:eek:

So sorry to hear you had to cancel your trip :mad:. All that snow you got hit with. We were getting 6 to 8 inches but we ended up with 2 inches. My DS is sad :sad2: that we didn't get us much as the other states.

kid-at-heart

02-11-2010, 04:18 PM

Love the pic of #3 sleeping. Poor child, it must be rough having to wake up early to enjoy Disney.

Once again your daughter demonstrated how smart she is, no intelligent person would by-pass a no-wait ride on Everest.

Disney Princess

02-11-2010, 06:17 PM

I love the pictures of 3 all day. On that bus she looks like she'd rather have missed AK; then on the safari she still doesn't look happy to be there. :rotfl:I just love it.

I also think it is cute that your daughter waited until AFTER the trip to let you in on her secret. Just in case you didn't like her tactics, she didn't want to spoil the rest of the trip. I am happy she and her friend were able to enjoy a no-line ride to the Himalayas.

FreezinRafiki

02-11-2010, 08:42 PM

My DD is only 5. But someday she will ditch me for a extra ride on something at Disney World. That will be one of the proudest days of my life. :thumbsup2

dopeygirl76

02-12-2010, 06:58 AM

The entertainment value is priceless. I too am dreaming of the day when my DDs don't wake up at 5:30a and I just realized it might NOT be such a good thing!!!;)

cj9200

02-17-2010, 03:30 PM

Disney Princess

02-17-2010, 03:49 PM

Yay for another trip!! We are also going in June (3rd-12th). Maybe we'll see you around. And don't worry about the speed of your report. It is something for us to look forward to this weekend.

flyingcat2003

02-22-2010, 01:21 PM

:surfweb:

dopeygirl76

02-22-2010, 02:13 PM

Glad you are back. Life is a pesky thing. It would be so much easier to eat, sleep and breathe Disney!!!

liznboys

02-26-2010, 09:49 AM

Ahh, the anticipation of a new day at Disney.

Few things are better than that!! :cloud9:

I know, the TR was postponed for a while. Life has gotten in the way but I promise it will be finished by the end of the weekend. In the meantime, we had no future trips scheduled until today. Could not stand the idea of not having an upcoming trip plus I had to burn 160 points that I banked from this year. Called member services and DD and I will be heading to Jambo House in June. Now to start thinking about dining reservations. Woo Hoo!

Woohoo!! :cool1:

So cj, how's the running coming along?

cj9200

03-01-2010, 11:28 AM

I had to cancel my trip too. Was supposed to leave tomorrow but trains, planes, automobiles are messed up. At least we are going in August but now to use those points before January:eek:

Very sorry to hear you and others had to cancel. Saw in your sig that you rebooked. Look at it this way, you have more trip planning and anticipation ahead of you.

That is hilarious that she was afraid you'd be mad!! Good for them on riding with no line!! :thumbsup2

I think it was more because she thought I would be jealous not mad at having to wait for them.

Glad to hear you're both ok! Thanks for the update :)

Life is starting to get back to normal. Thank you for your thoughts.

I'm going to adopt your "just leave 'em" strategy...even at age 22, DS and his friend(s) poke about getting ready to go...drives me crazy...next time I'm just gonna tell 'em I'm leaving, with them if they're there and w/out them if they're not!

And your DD wins the gold star of the trip for being smart enough to ride EE w/no line and for knowing that if she said she thought you might be mad, deep-down she knew, oh yes she knew, she did exactly the right thing!

The one thing that will send me off the deep end is when she thinks she can make me wait. When I was a kid and the family drove down to Florida, after our overnight stops, dad would have us up before the sun and in the car. I am talking 4 am. Heaven help you if you are not ready. He made us believe that you would really be left behind.

And yes, you are right, she did know it was the right thing to do.

Don't you love those "chip off the old block" moments? How could anyone fault them for taking advantage of a walk on at EE?

Not me.

I think i would have been more upset if they hadn't taken that opportunity to ride EE with no line. HELLO! It was calling them. lol Love the pic of the one falling asleep in the bus! priceless!!

Off to pack now! Can't wait to read more!

Sounds from your posts that you guys had a great time. I agree that EE was calling. How could anyone avoid it?

Love the pic of #3 sleeping. Poor child, it must be rough having to wake up early to enjoy Disney.

Once again your daughter demonstrated how smart she is, no intelligent person would by-pass a no-wait ride on Everest.

It was funny. We started to laugh about it and she mumbled in a low voice, “I am awake, I am not asleeeeep….

I love the pictures of 3 all day. On that bus she looks like she'd rather have missed AK; then on the safari she still doesn't look happy to be there. :rotfl:I just love it.

I also think it is cute that your daughter waited until AFTER the trip to let you in on her secret. Just in case you didn't like her tactics, she didn't want to spoil the rest of the trip. I am happy she and her friend were able to enjoy a no-line ride to the Himalayas.

3 would rather take pictures than have pictures taken of her. I know the feeling. She ws not that exuberant during any of the trip but I just think it was her personality.

My DD is only 5. But someday she will ditch me for a extra ride on something at Disney World. That will be one of the proudest days of my life. :thumbsup2

It was one of mine. “I taught you well grasshopper” (old TV reference). You are in for a wild ride. Teenagers are a special kind of fun and frustration.

The entertainment value is priceless. I too am dreaming of the day when my DDs don't wake up at 5:30a and I just realized it might NOT be such a good thing!!!;)

They do like their sleep. And eat. 1 has been here for the last two days and they are constantly scrounging for food. Luckily they are active and both currently running track so they are skinny as rails.

Yay for another trip!! We are also going in June (3rd-12th). Maybe we'll see you around. And don't worry about the speed of your report. It is something for us to look forward to this weekend.

I promised it last weekend but will finish it soon. The next update is following this one. We (maybe we) leave at the end of June.

Glad you are back. Life is a pesky thing. It would be so much easier to eat, sleep and breathe Disney!!!

Amen to that.

So cj, how's the running coming along?

Hamstring healed nicely, thank you. Started fast walking, treadmill only, and then had a pinched nerve down my left arm. Been off it for a week. I broke three ribs once and it was nowhere near as painful as this was. Just driving was painful. The last couple of days it started to get better and today for the first time I am mostly pain free. Will be getting back up on the horse soon. It was one of the reasons the update was postponed. Not that the Olympics had anything to do with that. Honest.

DD is doing great though. Her track team was in conditioning mode the past few weeks and the meets started last week. Her first meet is tomorrow. She doesn’t know what she will be running; I hope it is the 1,500. They have on the schedule for 3/13 Disney event with a question mark. Have to find out what is going on then.

cj9200

03-01-2010, 11:30 AM

After Everest, it was time for me to let them loose. So I let them on their own with explicit instructions to be ON TIME for our ADR at Prime Time at Hollywood Studios. I had to decide what to do next. The original plan was to hit the MK and get a much needed haircut at the barbershop. My leg was hurting a bit and a headache was building so what did I decide to do? Go back to MY GV and relax. The haircut could wait.

This is what I did.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6378-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6379-1.jpg

Yes we were at Disney and part of me was saying that I should be in a park for our only park day for this trip. My decision to go back was based on that I loved the room and while we will do it again sometime, who knows when that would happen. Thought about going over to ESPN to invite people standing in line to join me at the GV to watch the games. It would be BYOB and of course they would have to pay a cover charge. This would be a serious party room.

They were off on their own and decided to hit Dinosaur. From all accounts, a good time was had by all on the ride. The following pics are from shutterbug.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0113-1.jpg

They had a CM take this one. Notice the look on the guy on the bench next to them. “Teenagers, why does it always have to be teenagers” (another movie reference).
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0118.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0114.jpg

They then went to the arcade area and tried a couple of games. The strategy was to all play a game at the same time to better ensure that one of them would be a winner. 6 won both times and donated her winnings to DD and 5.

As an aside, my dad worked the New York State Fair and he would take my brother and I every day and let us loose on the place. One of the many things we would do in addition to watching the pigs at feeding times (which was hilarious) was to play the arcade games. I became an expert at the game where you roll a ball into a maze of holes to advance your horse to the finish line. Passed that skill onto DD and she is a killer at the game but they did not play it this time.

Their winnings get to know one another.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0131-1.jpg

Meanwhile I was back lounging at my spacious GV having a great time watching football. All too soon it was time to meet them at the Studios for lunch. When I exited, the boat was pulling in so decided to rest the leg and take it over. One of the Captains was getting some of the birds to eat out of his hand. This crow he said was his favorite.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6389-1.jpg

After entering the Studios I dialed DD to see where they were. She informed me that the herd was still at AK and they were waiting for a bus to take them to HS. WHAT? I was totally ticked off. I tried to explain to her that you cannot get a bus directly from one park to another and they would have to go to a hotel then get on a Studios bus and there was no way they would make it in time for our ADR. “Yes we will.”

Steam was coming out of my ears and I decided to have a smoke. Yes, I know, BAD. I quit a while ago, picked it up again and was in the process of quitting again. After everything that has gone on, I postponed the quitting until probably next week. Don’t judge me and for all of you out there that do not smoke, NEVER have a cigarette.

After leaving the smoking area I thought the heck with them and headed to get a fastpass to ToT. Walking down Sunset Boulevard mumbling curses under my breath, I look to my right and see some kids sitting on a bench. Hey, that looks like 4. Concentrate a little bit which is hard to do when steam is coming out of your ears and recognize that it is the little monsters.

It seems they saw me come in and at the suggestion of one of them (guess who) they decided to stalk me and pull this stunt on the benevolent person that decided to take them all to WDW. If she ever has children, may they be as much a PITA (pain in the ***) as she is to me.

While they were sitting on the bench giggling over their stunt, they struck up a conversation with one of the Streetmostphere Characters and told her what they were doing. She said that he must see you. I guess I was looking directly at them but again it is hard to see with all the steam coming out of my ears. A good laugh was had by all and we headed to Prime Time. I silently vowed to get even.

On their viewing bench. Aren’t they adorable? NOT.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6390-1.jpg

We headed down to get our fastpasses to ToT. There was a show going on in the street so I gathered the kids tickets and let them watch the show. We then pull into Prime Time on time and I told the kids to have a seat in the waiting area. At the hostess station I let them know we were here and asked for a server that would give them the most grief. After a little while, DD’s party was called.

Somebody is getting picked on
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0138-1.jpg

They posed with the glamour girl.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0139-1.jpg

It was funny that on the way out we saw a similar show by these guys. When the one that does her high pitched scream did it, a balloon popped. Perfect timing. Another one of the actors ran to get the remains of the balloon and they proceeded to have fun with that.

Waiting to be seated
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6391-1.jpg

The bar
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6392.jpg

The kids got a kick out of the TV shows
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0142-1.jpg

We were seated and “mom” came out. She was fantastic. Of course she starts right away and who does she pick on? Me. I was chastised for chewing gum and was made to spit it out. 1 was looking at her phone and was told that we do not Google here. I normally keep the receipts and would have gotten her name from it but it seems it got lost. I did comment on the way out how fantastic she was but should have filled out a comment card. Sorry.

What sweet children. NOT.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6393.jpg

“There is no Googling in here dear.”
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6398.jpg

We ordered. Again I do not remember what everyone had but DD split a peanut butter shake with someone which was a major hit. 6 and I had the fried chicken, DD and 1 (they are vegetarian) ordered the mac and cheese and 4 had the pot roast. My drink was a vodka and tonic and when mom brought it, she said that she told the bartender that I had 7 teens with me and they “made it extra strong.” No food porn, I forgot to take pictures. Me bad.

Lunch was great. Everyone seemed to like their food and the fried chicken was excellent. Mom periodically told them to get your elbows off the table. 2 ratted out someone for an infringement of the rules and mom shot back and said something like, “So are you are little miss perfect? We do not like tattletales.”

While we were waiting for our food, we were given a task. Name 11 parts of the body that are three letters. Warning: Do not challenge these kids to answer a question. Immediately someone was assigned to write the answers down and everybody brainstormed. They then started to put down answers in French and Spanish. Mom nixed that idea. They had all of them but one. Frustrated to the max, two of them excused themselves to, “go to the restroom.” Actually they left the restaurant and called a friend. He looked it up on the computer and gave them the answer. Can you name all of them?

After surprising mom with all the answers, she then asked us to name the 8 Presidents whose last name is one syllable. Since I am a history buff, that got my competitive juices flowing. It was the same question she asked the table next to us and between the two of us we got them all. Give you a hint, one of the more obscure ones was Polk.

2 did not eat all of her peas and carrots so mom played the airplane game. I missed taking a picture the first time so asked mom do it again. Revenge is mine.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6400.jpg

A couple of desserts were ordered to be split up among the girls (sorry don’t remember what). Mom brought out a cupcake to celebrate DD’s 16th and announced it to everyone. The tables around us sang happy birthday. When mom brought out the cupcake she told DD to make a wish. I told DD to make a wish about me. She immediately came back with, “Are you sure you want me to do that?” Smart *** again. Wonder where she gets that from? Mom nearly fell on the floor laughing. So did I.

Some brownie thing I think
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6403.jpg

Presenting the cupcake
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6404.jpg

Mom reacting to Smart ***’s “Are you sure comment.”
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6407.jpg

They asked mom if we could take a picture with her and she brought them out to the lobby area. In the meantime I was signing the check and she was shouting, “Come on dad we want to take a picture of YOUR kids.” I am sure there were looks all around waiting for the father of this brood. Used the TIW card and they added the 18% tip. Mom got a bit more than that for a good show.

Bye mom, we miss you already
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6411.jpg

As we left the restaurant they were playing the “Time of your life…Celebrate...” over the speakers. Must have been residual smoke from Illuminations because my eyes misted a little. All was well with the world.

From there we headed to R&R coaster which had a 70 minute wait. I hate waiting in lines but gave in to them. A mistake. Try waiting in line with 7 teens for an hour. They decided to sit on the floor when the line stopped and were obsessed with the marble things that are on the door. Headache. DD, 1 & 2 zipped when the door opened after the pre-show and wanted us to move ahead of everyone in front of us. Told someone to call them and that they were not getting on the ride without us or they would not get the FP to ToT. We eventually met up and got in our limo. To their defense, the CM told them we could move up and when we got there he said, “finally the party of eight.” 5 was directly behind me and from the moment we took off until the ride was over, there was an ear piercing scream coming from behind me. Funny, but I may have permanent hearing loss.

For some reason they decided throughout the trip to take pictures of their shoes
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0159.jpg

We then headed to our fastpasses to ToT. ToT was a short wait and we were soon walking to the elevator loading area. This then became a pain. DD turned into the choreographer of where we would sit for the picture. When we got to the front of the line, one of the elevators went down and they needed to unload the people already seated. More time left for further discussion. She kept insisting that we could all ride on the back row and I explained to her that you couldn’t. She was convinced and said to me, “Yea, I own you.” Give me a gun. They finally figured out who was sitting where and we were loaded. Oh and I was right. We could all not fit in the back row. “Yea I OWN YOU.” Good ride with many big drops. Bought the picture and if I can scan it, I will post it.

By then I had enough. My leg was acting up a bit and my head was pounding. Left them again to their own devices and their plan was to eventually head over to EPCOT. Made a mistake that was in my original plan which was to take them to the animation show and have them all be taught to draw a character by an actual animator. DD is pretty good at art and we have wanted to do this for some time. With my skill, it would have looked like a stick figure Mickey. I forgot to do it however, which was good luck for the CM that was there at that time.

The boat was nowhere to be seen so I hoofed it over to the Boardwalk. They soon came by to unload their stuff on their way to EPCOT.

Made it back to the Boardwalk without incident.

Ah, welcome home
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6374-1.jpg

I love this place.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6375-1.jpg

There is our room!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6376-1.jpg

If you look at the B the awning underneath it is off our living room. Did I just say our? The balcony to the left on the floor above was DD’s baclcony.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6382-1.jpg

Am out of pic space and am leaving it here for now and will pick up on the last part of the day and the drive home. May be a day or two.

DMKEDM

03-01-2010, 12:40 PM

You can't possibly be mean enough to make the rest of us look it up...I can only think of 5 Presidents w/one-syllable names (Taft, Polk, Grant, Bush & Bush)...

11 one-syllable body parts: leg, arm, lung, chest, hair, lip, ear, nose, eye, tongue, mouth, tooth, gum, blood, nail, jaw, foot, toe, shin, knee, thigh, hip, waist, breast, neck, face, lobe--what am I missing here??? That's way more than 11, and it's just off the top of my head...I think all the above are body parts, no???

Answers, we need answers!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love the TR, and love the fact that it's long-lasting...

Happy Monday...

trennr

03-01-2010, 12:58 PM

DMKEDM

03-01-2010, 01:08 PM

I'm calling on you...a sticker for the right answer!

trennr

03-01-2010, 01:19 PM

I'm calling on you...a sticker for the right answer!

Well...don't want to ruin it for everyone else.

The body part thing is 3-letter body parts...and you got most of them...and I'm not sure my #11 is correct.

Presidents...well I guess you'll have to visit the Hall of Presidents the next time you visit.

Maybe I'll PM you.

LSchrow

03-01-2010, 02:01 PM

great.....now i'm going to sit here for hours trying to come up with 3 letter body parts. does the word for buttocks count? ;)

btw, it was great to see captain mike feeding the birds again. he has put on some amazing impromptu shows with them over the years (he wasn't allowed to for a while.....somebody with more power than pixie dust decided she didn't like him doing something so creative :sad2:). he has trained so many wild birds to come when he called, eat (the many loaves of bread he purchases out of his pocket) out of his hand, and walk across him and/or the boat on command.....birds he was told are impossible to train. :thumbsup2

love this TR! both the pix (heaven looks just like the BWVs in my mind:cloud9:) and narration are really, truly enjoyable.

trennr

03-01-2010, 03:15 PM

great.....now i'm going to sit here for hours trying to come up with 3 letter body parts. does the word for buttocks count? ;)

Well now...that's allot better than my #11. :lmao: :confused3 :lmao:

Chellymouse

03-01-2010, 04:42 PM

Lovin' the TR! So, who are the all the presidents? Inquiring minds are too lazy to look it up on their own....:rolleyes1:rolleyes1

LSchrow

03-01-2010, 05:45 PM

trennr

03-01-2010, 06:30 PM

Lovin' the TR! So, who are the all the presidents? Inquiring minds are too lazy to look it up on their own....:rolleyes1:rolleyes1

bbfghppt

cj9200

03-01-2010, 09:16 PM

so i googled it
most say 10 3 letter body parts, but one added two iffies for 12 (btw, the alternate buttocks word doesn't count <sigh>).

so one starts with a
two with e
one with g
one with h
one with j
two with L
one with R
one with t

the two iffies both start with L also

Yes and no. You are right above the two iffies. Unless you went to Prime Time or have a research savant as a friend, it is very unlikely that you would get the last one. Mom was shocked they got it. A hint. It describes something in three places in the body, the nose, the ear and I forgot the last one. Let me know when you give up. No fair for Prime Time visitors to chime in.

I didn't mean to make this a competitive sport but I am enjoying it.

cj9200

03-01-2010, 09:51 PM

bbfghppt

You are correct sir and a beverage is owed to you if we ever meet up. I got the two p’s and the h fairly quickly which are the more obscure ones but had to take a while to get the g. The kids kept talking to me while I was going through the list until I had to tell them to leave me alone so I could think.

Not satisfied to answer the question correctly, one of them pipes up, “So which President has the most syllables in their name.” Kid, you are giving me a headache. That stumped mom. After putting on my thinking cap, I came up with Eisenhower. Haven’t confirmed it but I am pretty sure I am right.

sarahk0204

03-01-2010, 10:08 PM

...called Presidential Boogie. It names the presidents in order, although only up to Carter (Yes, I am old :lmao:) I sang the song, and

Polk
Pierce
Grant
Hayes
Taft
Ford
Bush
Bush

These are in chronological order, too. (I am old and a showoff! :rolleyes1)

Goofy442

03-02-2010, 09:14 AM

:surfweb:

lisaviolet

03-03-2010, 04:20 PM

I know, the TR was postponed for a while. Life has gotten in the way but I promise it will be finished by the end of the weekend. In the meantime, we had no future trips scheduled until today. Could not stand the idea of not having an upcoming trip plus I had to burn 160 points that I banked from this year. Called member services and DD and I will be heading to Jambo House in June. Now to start thinking about dining reservations. Woo Hoo!

A GV and 160 banked points? Let me try to contain some intense nasty jealousy that seems to be brewing. :lmao:

Nice on the next trip. I am leaving for Jambo House momentarily. Well not exactly momentarily. :rolleyes1 A week Saturday. :goodvibes

lisaviolet

03-03-2010, 04:25 PM

Not that the Olympics had anything to do with that. Honest.
.

Did you enjoy the hockey? (no smiley icon large enough for this question!)

Strange. Suddenly my earlier jealousy is waning.

lisaviolet

03-03-2010, 04:49 PM

It seems they saw me come in and at the suggestion of one of them (guess who) they decided to stalk me and pull this stunt on the benevolent person that decided to take them all to WDW. If she ever has children, may they be as much a PITA (pain in the ***) as she is to me.

.

What a great suggestion. :lovestruc Too funny. :lmao:

__________________________________________________ _________________________

As for your little GV/football stay in - that's lovely. Truly. There is nothing better than doing nothing at WDW. Totally underrated.

A strong drink. A BB brownie. A BB fruit plate. The BW front porch. A nap. HEAVEN to me.

I am usually doing nothing around men, men and more men there.

Maybe male filled conferences or a lot of mothers and children in the parks on their own. :confused3

This trip. I was suggesting changing the Value Jambo one bedroom to a BLT studio.

No.

Nothing to do with parks, location or small quarters. March Madness!!!! TVs - plural. :rolleyes1

liznboys

03-04-2010, 09:43 AM

Hamstring healed nicely, thank you. Started fast walking, treadmill only, and then had a pinched nerve down my left arm. Been off it for a week. I broke three ribs once and it was nowhere near as painful as this was. Just driving was painful. The last couple of days it started to get better and today for the first time I am mostly pain free. Will be getting back up on the horse soon. It was one of the reasons the update was postponed. Not that the Olympics had anything to do with that. Honest.

DD is doing great though. Her track team was in conditioning mode the past few weeks and the meets started last week. Her first meet is tomorrow. She doesn’t know what she will be running; I hope it is the 1,500. They have on the schedule for 3/13 Disney event with a question mark. Have to find out what is going on then.

Ouch, sorry about the nerve! Hope it's all well now. Hope your dd's meet went well!

Great update!

cj9200

03-09-2010, 03:12 PM

OK, the computer crashed and $199 later I am back on line after 5 days. What is next? Locusts? Here is the end of our trip. Finally.

After they stopped at the room, DD decided to go to EPCOT. The reason? To try Beverly. The not so cool as it used to be spot is usually a stop for us when we go to EPCOT. I have fun talking DD into trying it.

Right before she tried it on our Thanksgiving trip two years ago
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%2011-07/Picture142.jpg

Unfortunately, it was closed. Foiled again. She did go to WDW the following week for a day on a school trip and talked some friends into trying it. Wonder where she gets this evil streak.

Since Test Track was down for refurb, they decided to go to Mission Space. 5 was lost and DD and 2 decided to wait for her and the three of them rode together. Thank god I was not there. Can only imagine the screams that were involved.

From there, they headed to end the day at the MK which was open until 2 am. Many rides were hit including Buzz, Tea Cups, and Space Mountain. They also went to Big Thunder. Afterward DD and 2 decided to hoof it over back to Space and the rest of them took their time and went to eat and see Sunny. Shutterbug let me down a little bit and only took a few pictures.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0179-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_0180-1.jpg

While they were having fun in the parks, I enjoyed the room for a while and then decided to go out. First I walked around the BW and saw some of the acts. After one of the shows I walked up to the Streetmoshpere person and I told him I had a weird request. This guy is really good and he brought out some masking tape during his show which gave me the idea. After telling him about the duct tape, he was glad to do this for me.

Since no duct tape was brought, this was my backup plan
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6423-1.jpg

For all the times I stayed at the Boardwalk I never tried the Blue Vue room. Decided to go and it was a nice relaxing spot. The décor is amazing. The bartender told me about all the books and antiques they opened with that were unique. Some have disappeared over time but it is still kind of cool.

Some shots of the room
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6419-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6418-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6417.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6416-1.jpg

The bartender was training a new cast member. She was really personable but had no idea on how to make a drink. I asked for a dry martini and she had no clue. The bartender showed her and was really patient dealing with her.

There was a couple at the bar from New York and another guy from Chicago. We had a good time chatting the time away. I walked through making another martini with the new cast member and after that was downed it was time to hit the bed. Drifted to sleep in MY king sized bed. To the kids’ credit, they did not wake me getting in after closing down the MK.

Our last morning dawned and my last time on MY balcony to watch the BW wake up. It is always sad leaving day and it was really tough because the room is so nice.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6436-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6437-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6438-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6439-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6441-1.jpg

I left the room to take a couple of pics of the lobby.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6460-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6461-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6462-1.jpg

Have to be honest. We stayed at most places at WDW but the BW is my favorite. So sad to leave. It was a great time and all the kids survived. We eventually got into the van and started home. Made good time until we stopped at the West Palm service station and the girls decided to have crapes. There was one guy working there and it took forever. Then 4 & 5 decided that she needed one after everyone was nearly finished. I made them take it in the van. Dropped the kids off at their homes. We had to drive back to 6’s house because she left one of her books in the car. By the time we made it to our house it was after 6:00 and I was beat. We dragged our bags into the house and pretty much crashed.

Overall, this was a great trip. The kids had a great time by all accounts and other than getting them up in the morning and music playing at night, they were pretty well behaved. I enjoyed being with them and also enjoyed not being with them. A memorable sweet 16 for DD.

Highs:

The GV: Far exceeded my expectations. Without DVC, there was no way I could have afforded it. With the two story room, the kids could have their space and I could have mine. Loved just relaxing there.

Illuminations Cruise: It was really a nice way to celebrate her birthday. It reminded me of so many things that we had done at Disney as a family. That included a cruise for one of her birthdays when both grandparents joined us. A friend of Mom came over the other day and brought some personal stuff from the office. Included was a picture of grandparents and us at the California Grill during that trip.

50’s: A great time was had by all.

Lows:

The Boardwalk: After talking to the CMs at check in, I thought they would drop off something celebrating DD’s 16th. Nope. Not that anything was expected but it would have been a nice touch.

Tea: At the hostess station I explained that it was DD’s 16th birthday and she deadpanned, “We don’t do birthdays.” Oh OK. I also told her that I had the tables in wonderland card and she said fine. When it came time to pay the bill, the waitress said they could not use it because I was not there. Well, why did you not let me know that when we checked in? To save 20% I would have stopped by and had an ice tea or something.

No Free Valet: It is not that I cannot park my car and walk, but there is no restricted access for hotel guests versus everyone else. At Universal you cannot get into the parking area unless you have a room key. They need to do something like that here. I was lucky to get a space very close to the walkway but when I came back to the car later the lot was full. It is not fair for a paying guest to park in a lot far away while someone that is having nachos at the ESPN Club or worse, walking over to EPCOT takes their space. OK, off soapbox.

All in all we had a great time. Awards were given out. 5 got the gold star. Everyone else knew she was just being a suck up. The rest got silver stars with the exception of 1 who got a bronze. The leash of shame was also awarded.

I imagine you guessed the right answer
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6470-1.jpg

You got it
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/cj9200/Disney%201-10/IMG_6344.jpg

Really glad I did this. DD and her friends had fun. A memorable birthday. They were talking about going back again but it was unanimous that dad would stay home. I’d go for that.

We had no other trips planned for the year but as I mentioned, I reserved a week for a studio at Jambo House. DD may not be with me because of soccer camp so it may end up as a solo trip. It is likely however she will come and do camp later but we are not obsessing about ADRs.

So that is it. I really want to thank you for joining us on our journey. All done now. Bye Bye. See you later. I may post some random pics from the kids later but do not hold me to it.