Tombstone
07-25-2001, 12:45 PM
Day 11 Monday 7/16/01 It can't be over!
Cast of Characters:
Me - Now referred to as Spanky thanks to Cousin Dave at 50's Prime Time. 3rd trip.
Michelle - My lovely wife who has had to endure all the changes that I've thrown at her concerning this trip. Is now starting to understand my Disney obsession. 6th trip.
Devon - An eating machine. Just turned 15 but still my baby. 3rd trip.
Jordan - Loves to have things his way. Just turned 12. 3rd trip.
Camryn - A true princess. 3 almost 4 going on 25. Now also referred to as Sugar Booger. Also thanks to Cousin Dave. Willing to try anything once. 1st trip. She is so excited.
When we got back to the hotel last night I had requested a late checkout for today. Tiffany Towncar was not suppose to pick us up until 2:30 and I was not real anxious to checkout. We did finally get moving and started to pack. We decide to run down and grab some breakfast. Last chance to grab some of those pastries from downstairs. Total today is $10.82. Back upstairs to continue the packing. I'm sure we didn't come with this much stuff. We did manage to eat almost all of the snacks that we had bought at the grocery store. All that was left was a few Oreos and a couple of juice boxes. I am glad I threw an extra carryon bag in one of the suitcases on the way down though. We manage to stuff everything back into the bags and stack everything by the door. Time for a last dip in the pool. For some reason the water feels colder today than usual. Maybe it's just me. After a couple minutes I'm use to the temperature though. Time to sit out now and dry out before we throw wet swimsuits in the suitcase. I called down to Bell Services and they were quickly there to load up the bags and put them in storage for awhile. I went ahead and checked out and we were now homeless.
We had a few hours left and still hadn't played any miniature golf. We hiked over to Fantasia Gardens and squeezed in 18 holes. The course was not crowded at all but today was going to be a scorcher. The course was a lot of fun but could use a little more shade during the day. Everyone managed to get at least one hole in one. Even Sugar Booger.
We headed back and did some exploring around the Swan. Eventually we made it back to the Dolphin and decided to grab a quick bite before heading to the airport. We stopped at the Dolphin Fountain for some lunch. Jordan is the only other person in our family that has the same passion for White Castles as I do. Now if you remember the other day when I was enjoying mine, Jordan was sick. Now he wants his share. So Jordan and I each order the Beach Boy Burgers. Michelle has a All American Grilled Cheese with bacon. Camryn the kids hot dog and Devon had the Fountain Fingers. Total came to $41.26.
Now it was time. That dreaded time. We headed back up to the lobby and our driver was soon there. He was on time and loaded our luggage into the car. Grabbed the kids and we were on our way. We were a lot quieter on our way back to the airport than when we were heading the other direction. The flight home was smooth and with no problems. Grabbed our bags and hopped on the Hilton shuttle back to our van. We had paid our kennel bill in advance. My wifes friend that was checking on our house had picked up our dogs today and dropped them off back home. She also turned the a/c back on and when we arrived the place was cool and our faithful companions were there to greet us. It helped making coming home a little easier.
Afterthoughts:
I have written these reports as much for me as anything else. It helps me to remember all of the great times we had, so thanks for pacifying me. It's amazing how quickly you forget the specifics. Even now I know there are pieces that I have forgotten to include such as the Backstage Pass, Pooh ride and Snow White. Take lots of pictures!!!!!
Tips:
This was a very special trip for us. We knew that Devon was getting to an age where he will probably start working during summer breaks and may not want to vacation with us much longer. It is also the first real vacation that we have taken with Camryn and her first trip to Disney World. As such this may have been the last vacation we have taken as a complete family. I wanted it to be something special and we did a lot of extras on this trip that we would not have done otherwise. We only take a real vacation every two or three years it seems like anyway, so we saved long and hard for this one. Tax refunds, coins in a jar, etc… We also tried to make the most of the snacks that we bought and not buy things just to buy them. We got several breaks along the way. We managed to get a great airfare and great rate at the Dolphin. It is with the help of many of the people on these boards (especially the DIS) that we were able to save dollars where we could so that we could spend them on things that mattered to us.
Our opinions are strictly that. What we enjoyed, others may hate and vice versa. When planning, take into consideration your likes and dislikes and plan accordingly. Don't do something just because everyone else does. Be flexible and not so rigid that you can't take the time to enjoy the special times. A moment only happens once and then it's gone forever. Make the most of it.
We like to hit things pretty hard. Not quite commando, but kind of a happy medium (at least to us). Know your limits and what you enjoy. There will be things that irritate you and things that thrill you as you go through each day. People cutting in line, large tour groups, etc.. You can either make the most of it or let it ruin your day. Yes we experienced all of that, but this was our trip. Other peoples own agendas and needs were not going to impact our enjoyment. Change what you can, accept the rest and go on. We were here to be a family. I wanted to see the world for possibly the last time through the eyes of my kids. Where Camryn really is a princess, Jordan is a champion fisherman, Devon is still a little boy, Cinderella really is Cinderella and Dumbo can really fly. And yes he can …….if you just let him.
Thanks.
Cast of Characters:
Me - Now referred to as Spanky thanks to Cousin Dave at 50's Prime Time. 3rd trip.
Michelle - My lovely wife who has had to endure all the changes that I've thrown at her concerning this trip. Is now starting to understand my Disney obsession. 6th trip.
Devon - An eating machine. Just turned 15 but still my baby. 3rd trip.
Jordan - Loves to have things his way. Just turned 12. 3rd trip.
Camryn - A true princess. 3 almost 4 going on 25. Now also referred to as Sugar Booger. Also thanks to Cousin Dave. Willing to try anything once. 1st trip. She is so excited.
When we got back to the hotel last night I had requested a late checkout for today. Tiffany Towncar was not suppose to pick us up until 2:30 and I was not real anxious to checkout. We did finally get moving and started to pack. We decide to run down and grab some breakfast. Last chance to grab some of those pastries from downstairs. Total today is $10.82. Back upstairs to continue the packing. I'm sure we didn't come with this much stuff. We did manage to eat almost all of the snacks that we had bought at the grocery store. All that was left was a few Oreos and a couple of juice boxes. I am glad I threw an extra carryon bag in one of the suitcases on the way down though. We manage to stuff everything back into the bags and stack everything by the door. Time for a last dip in the pool. For some reason the water feels colder today than usual. Maybe it's just me. After a couple minutes I'm use to the temperature though. Time to sit out now and dry out before we throw wet swimsuits in the suitcase. I called down to Bell Services and they were quickly there to load up the bags and put them in storage for awhile. I went ahead and checked out and we were now homeless.
We had a few hours left and still hadn't played any miniature golf. We hiked over to Fantasia Gardens and squeezed in 18 holes. The course was not crowded at all but today was going to be a scorcher. The course was a lot of fun but could use a little more shade during the day. Everyone managed to get at least one hole in one. Even Sugar Booger.
We headed back and did some exploring around the Swan. Eventually we made it back to the Dolphin and decided to grab a quick bite before heading to the airport. We stopped at the Dolphin Fountain for some lunch. Jordan is the only other person in our family that has the same passion for White Castles as I do. Now if you remember the other day when I was enjoying mine, Jordan was sick. Now he wants his share. So Jordan and I each order the Beach Boy Burgers. Michelle has a All American Grilled Cheese with bacon. Camryn the kids hot dog and Devon had the Fountain Fingers. Total came to $41.26.
Now it was time. That dreaded time. We headed back up to the lobby and our driver was soon there. He was on time and loaded our luggage into the car. Grabbed the kids and we were on our way. We were a lot quieter on our way back to the airport than when we were heading the other direction. The flight home was smooth and with no problems. Grabbed our bags and hopped on the Hilton shuttle back to our van. We had paid our kennel bill in advance. My wifes friend that was checking on our house had picked up our dogs today and dropped them off back home. She also turned the a/c back on and when we arrived the place was cool and our faithful companions were there to greet us. It helped making coming home a little easier.
Afterthoughts:
I have written these reports as much for me as anything else. It helps me to remember all of the great times we had, so thanks for pacifying me. It's amazing how quickly you forget the specifics. Even now I know there are pieces that I have forgotten to include such as the Backstage Pass, Pooh ride and Snow White. Take lots of pictures!!!!!
Tips:
This was a very special trip for us. We knew that Devon was getting to an age where he will probably start working during summer breaks and may not want to vacation with us much longer. It is also the first real vacation that we have taken with Camryn and her first trip to Disney World. As such this may have been the last vacation we have taken as a complete family. I wanted it to be something special and we did a lot of extras on this trip that we would not have done otherwise. We only take a real vacation every two or three years it seems like anyway, so we saved long and hard for this one. Tax refunds, coins in a jar, etc… We also tried to make the most of the snacks that we bought and not buy things just to buy them. We got several breaks along the way. We managed to get a great airfare and great rate at the Dolphin. It is with the help of many of the people on these boards (especially the DIS) that we were able to save dollars where we could so that we could spend them on things that mattered to us.
Our opinions are strictly that. What we enjoyed, others may hate and vice versa. When planning, take into consideration your likes and dislikes and plan accordingly. Don't do something just because everyone else does. Be flexible and not so rigid that you can't take the time to enjoy the special times. A moment only happens once and then it's gone forever. Make the most of it.
We like to hit things pretty hard. Not quite commando, but kind of a happy medium (at least to us). Know your limits and what you enjoy. There will be things that irritate you and things that thrill you as you go through each day. People cutting in line, large tour groups, etc.. You can either make the most of it or let it ruin your day. Yes we experienced all of that, but this was our trip. Other peoples own agendas and needs were not going to impact our enjoyment. Change what you can, accept the rest and go on. We were here to be a family. I wanted to see the world for possibly the last time through the eyes of my kids. Where Camryn really is a princess, Jordan is a champion fisherman, Devon is still a little boy, Cinderella really is Cinderella and Dumbo can really fly. And yes he can …….if you just let him.
Thanks.