You're the best parents in the world! I gotta pee! Where's My Tooth? Trip report!

[mickeystoontown]

I'm in too! Great start. What is the LA lovers thread. LOL! Should IO belong? it sounds like the "cool" group to be in. LOL!

Hey Jen, It's kinda like the Pop Century Countdown thread I started. But, it has a list of all WDW Lovers who are from Louisiana, where they are staying, etc.

Great start to your trip report. I can't wait to read more.

Welcome aboard!

 

[mickeystoontown]

My boss is in court so I thought I'd work on my trip report a bit more. Hey, I'm all caught up so I'm not doing anything wrong. But still, you won't tell will you?

I'll start by saying this installment won't include any pictures. You see, when we came home from our trip, I lost lots and lots of our vacation pictures when I connected my camera to my computer. Vamoose! They were nowhere to be found on the camera and nowhere to be found on my computer. Just vanished into thin air. The entire first travel day was lost, many of our arrival day pictures were lost (including the big surprise reveal...thank goodness I have it on video) and some of our Epcot day pictures were lost. Yes, I cried over it for two days. Thank goodness the guy at the camera shop was able to retrieve some of them. Anywhoo!

Let's see......reservation booked, tickets bought, sole ADR made, road trip seed planted, oh yeah.....time to start the sneaky stuff.

The plan was to leave when I got off work on Friday at Noon. All week long, we kept telling Hunter we were going on a long weekend road trip. We didn't really know where we were going, just wherever our car took us.

This really isn't too unusual for us so it didn't throw up any red flags for Hunter. There are times when we say "hey we're going to *** to camp this weekend" or "pack an overnight bag, we're heading to ***".

Hunter was in charge of packing up all his PSP games, his movies, his drawing stuff and the portable DVD player.

I was in charge of packing everybody's clothes and toiletries. I also packed the "snack box".

John and Hunter were in charge of the ice chest and the car itself. They had the oil changed and filled up the car Friday morning while I was at work. John loaded all the suitcases in the car while Hunter was watching television.

When I came home, I put what John and I secretly called the "mystery envelope" in between the driver's seat and the console. John put the ice chest in the trunk. One last "make sure you go to the bathroom" call, one last hug for Mamaw, one last snuggle with Oddball and we were on our way to "who knows where"!

We hit the nearest McDonald's and hit I-20 at 1:38 p.m.

Normally, we leave on a Wednesday evening and are making our way through the tunnel in Mobile, Alabama at night. The only time we ever travel through Mobile is on our way to Disney. This trip, we would be going through the tunnel during daylight hours. We figured this would be when Hunter caught on. Guess what? He fell asleep about thirty minutes before we reached Mobile. Yeah! John called my mother (Mamaw) to let her know that we had made it through Mobile. She really thought Hunter would figure it out in Mobile too.

We make pretty good time across part of the Florida panhandle. Hunter wakes up and we have to make a pit stop. When we travel, we like to walk around a rest area and stretch our legs. Of course, Hunter spies the huge Florida map at the rest area and sees that we are in Florida.

Hunter: "Mama, since we are in Florida, why can't we just drive down to Disney?"

Me: "Baby, you know that we don't have the money to go to Disney after we took that road trip to Missouri and Arkansas. Besides, that's too far to go for just a long weekend."

Hunter: "Man!"

John: "Come on Best Buddy (that's what they have called each other every since Lacey went off to missionary college two years ago), let's get back on the road."

John to me:

We get in the car and decide to drive just another hour or so and find the nearest Jameson Inn. Luckily, we don't have to drive far, just another hour or so, to find one. We check in and once we get in the room, Hunter, of course, immediately turns on the television and starts flipping channels. He stops on the Weather Channel of all channels. Guess what they are doing? The weekend travel forecast. Where are they highlighting? Orlando. AND, they say it would be a great weekend to visit Disney World.

Again, Hunter asks if we can go to Disney. We give the same excuse as before. We get the same "Man!" but then Naruto comes on and his mind is elsewhere.

We don't stay up too late so we can be up and at them the next morning. Plus, we thought if we got up early, Hunter would probably sleep in the backseat while we make the rest of the drive to Disney. Before going to bed, Hunter called his Mamaw to tell her we were in Florida "but we're not going to Disney World."

The next morning, we hit the breakfast bar which, by the way, had a really nice assortment of yogurts and pastries. We took our goodies up to the room to eat while John took his turn getting ready.

After putting our overnight bags back into the car, we were on the road again. We drove several hours and couldn't believe that Hunter wasn't noticing any of the occasional billboards advertising Orlando. He was too enthralled in his newest PSP game. He fell asleep again...probably because his thumbs had had such a workout on the game.

When Hunter woke up, we were in Ocala, Florida. We asked Hunter if anything looked familiar. "Not really." "Are you sure?" "Yeah." Hey, this keeping a secret thing really isn't that hard after all.

John and I knew that we would soon start seeing the green mileage signs saying ** miles to Disney World. So, John took out the camcorder and told Hunter to start doing a trip video for us. We told him to say something like "Hey this is Hunter and we are on a road trip. We don't know where we are going. I guess just wherever the road takes us." After a couple of "practices" (we had to make sure the camcorder was working correctly), I spotted a mileage sign up ahead. John had Hunter start his spiel. Then, I said "Hey Hunter what does that sign up there say?" Hunter looked out the window and said "it says 30 miles to Disney World. Mama, can we pleeeeze go there?"

I told him that we really did know where we were going and handed him the "mystery envelope". He pulled out the Reservation Confirmation to the Caribbean Beach Resort in Walt Disney World. At first, he didn't comprehend it. You could see the minute he realized where we were going.

Hunter: "We're going to Walt Disney World?"

John: "We sure are Best Buddy."

Hunter: "You're the best parents in the whole wide world!"

Then he proceeded to take off his selt belt and bounce all around the back seat. All the while, he was yelling "You guys are totally awesome! "You really got me good!" "You knew all along didn't you!" Then he was talking a million miles a minute....how long are we staying?.....are we really staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort again?.....did Mamaw know?.

By this time, we are turning onto Hwy. 192 towards Disney World when Hunter stops the bouncing and exclaims, "I gotta pee I am so excited!" Hunter would kill me if he knew that I am about to tell you this. No, I won't tell you 'cause it would embarass him. Let's just say I am glad we had an empty water bottle in the backseat.

So, yes, we were able to keep the surprise from Hunter for an entire month! John and I were very very pleased with ourselves. I just wish I hadn't lost the pictures of our travel day and our "reveal" but at least I have the video.

Up next, checking into the Caribbean Beach Resort. ***With pictures!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Nice job on the surprise!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Nice job on the surprise!!

Thanks! We were quite proud of ourselves.

 

[retiredkid]

great surprise!! hope you will share your video.

 

[mickeystoontown]

great surprise!! hope you will share your video.

I'll have to see if I can get it uploaded. I am sooo technology challenged. I usually just hand over everything to our 12 year old son and tell him to do it.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I told Hunter that I had started a trip report and the title. He suggested that I change the title to "You're the best parents in the whole wide world! I gotta pee! Trip Report." That boy is too much! (I did change it 'cause I thought it was cute.)

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Wow! I love it!!!! great start!!!! I actually cried and laughed (maybe I'm overly emotional right now--nah!! Hunter's response was just precious....

the day was very long our appointments started at 10 am and we were out of there at 3 pm and good thing I brought a snack for Ashton we missed lunch... one of the doctors forgot us in the room (we had to see two docs in the same section -he thought we were there for the surgeron {which we had already seen}...I can't wait for this to be overwith.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO DISNEY AND LEAVE THIS MESS BEHIND...
I know that is not the option; but it is a nice thought (even the beach would be great about now...)

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow! I love it!!!! great start!!!! I actually cried and laughed (maybe I'm overly emotional right now--nah!! Hunter's response was just precious....

the day was very long our appointments started at 10 am and we were out of there at 3 pm and good thing I brought a snack for Ashton we missed lunch... one of the doctors forgot us in the room (we had to see two docs in the same section -he thought we were there for the surgeron {which we had already seen}...I can't wait for this to be overwith.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO DISNEY AND LEAVE THIS MESS BEHIND...
I know that is not the option; but it is a nice thought (even the beach would be great about now...)

Girl, if I were in your position, I'd be emotional too. I'm glad I could make you laugh though.

I hate that the doctor forgot about you guys and it's a good thing you had a snack. My husband always talks about how heavy my purse is but I don't see him complaining when he starts digging around (usually in church...bad boy, but what do you expect from a preacher's kid) and finds some kind of goody in there.

I'm hoping to get my CBR pictures up in the next installment.

Lisa

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Looove the trip report so far! I think it's so awesome that yall were able to surprise Hunter with the Disney trip!

Andddd, my mama is from Louisiana! Are you a TIGERS fan?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Looove the trip report so far! I think it's so awesome that yall were able to surprise Hunter with the Disney trip!

Andddd, my mama is from Louisiana! Are you a TIGERS fan?

Thanks for comin' over. Like I said, we were really proud of ourselves for being able to keep the secret. Yeah for Mama being from Louisiana. We aren't real big football fans except for when my son plays. But, I do like some LSU tigers!

 

[Coconuts]

Your trip report sounds great so far. I love the surprise reveal especially. Both times we went to WDW with the kids, we surprised them as well. Your family sounds sweet and they are obviously very loved. Can't wait to hear the rest.

 

[jngwright]

Hey!! Thanks for the link! I sure am along for the ride Are you doing a PTR for your anniversary trip when you finish this one??

The peeing in the bottle is great! The boys had to do that one time, and we had a Lipton Green Tea bottle. There was no garbage can nearby and they were SO afraid their dad would drink it by accident

Can't wait to see your CBR pics!

 

[crocko]

No, I won't tell you 'cause it would embarass him. Let's just say I am glad we had an empty water bottle in the backseat.

LOL, probably not the first Disney story like that. On our honeymoon, heading on the Disney bus to the airport, there was a kid who had to go really bad. When we finally made it to our stop at the airport, the dad quickly moved to the front of the bus with a clear ziploc bag and let's just say......."yellow liquid contents"

 

[mickeystoontown]

Your trip report sounds great so far. I love the surprise reveal especially. Both times we went to WDW with the kids, we surprised them as well. Your family sounds sweet and they are obviously very loved. Can't wait to hear the rest.

Isn't it hard to keep the secret! I wanted to say something so bad but kept my lips sealed. Thanks for coming along for a read!

Hey!! Thanks for the link! I sure am along for the ride Are you doing a PTR for your anniversary trip when you finish this one??

The peeing in the bottle is great! The boys had to do that one time, and we had a Lipton Green Tea bottle. There was no garbage can nearby and they were SO afraid their dad would drink it by accident

Can't wait to see your CBR pics!

You're welcome! I am thinking that I probably will do a pre-trip report because I am sure I'll go nuts again after this report is over.

I think I'd have had to keep that green tea bottle close by so Dad wouldn't drink it. EEK! Guys have it soooo easy. Girls/women just have to hold it until the next bathroom stop.

LOL, probably not the first Disney story like that. On our honeymoon, heading on the Disney bus to the airport, there was a kid who had to go really bad. When we finally made it to our stop at the airport, the dad quickly moved to the front of the bus with a clear ziploc bag and let's just say......."yellow liquid contents"

Love the ziplock bag story! Glad to have you on board.


Guys have it soooo easy.

 

[fizz13]

Hi Lisa,
just followed your link over here and I am so happy i did, you just made me cry with Hunter's reaction, I bet that video is priceless! And have to say I think you are an amazing family, I dont need to tell you but your children are something to be proud of, i dont think i could keep up with your daughter, awesome
I can not wait to read more of your vacation and so glad i got here from the start

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hi Lisa,
just followed your link over here and I am so happy i did, you just made me cry with Hunter's reaction, I bet that video is priceless! And have to say I think you are an amazing family, I dont need to tell you but your children are something to be proud of, i dont think i could keep up with your daughter, awesome
I can not wait to read more of your vacation and so glad i got here from the start

I am soooo glad that you came over. I, too, cried and laughed at Hunter's response. Thanks for the compliments on my family. I know that every parent thinks their children are the best children in the whole wide world but my kids really are. Seriously, Lacey makes her Dad and I really proud. The things that she does simply amaze me. The things that I listed are just examples. Her heart is just filled with love for everybody. Truly, everybody. (sniff, sniff)

 

[mickeystoontown]

We're on Hwy. 192 headed towards World Drive and Hunter has taken care of his business in the empty (not now!) water bottle. We love Hwy. 192. I know, I know. It has all those bright, gaudy buildings.....the giant wizard, the mermaid swimming out of the building, the huge USA flag, etc. etc. etc. But, to us, it's means we have FINALLY arrived after sooooo many hours on the road (it takes us between 14 and 16 hours of driving, just depends on traffic and the weather).

As I have said two times already, some of my pictures were lost and the one of the Walt Disney World entrance sign is one of them.

We pulled into the Custom House and not, five minutes, after I got in line, a Magical Express bus pulled up. I was very glad that we beat them in line 'cause the bus was full. There were only two other families in front of me and I was called to the window in no time at all. The castmember who helped me was wearing an "earning my ears" button which had me a little concerned. I shouldn't have been worried because she knew what she was doing.

We chit-chatted while she was checking me in and I mentioned that this had been a surprise trip for Hunter. Another castmember heard us talking and asked where Hunter was. Of course, he and his dad (a/k/a best buddy), were watching the cartoons over in the t.v. area. I got their attention and they came over to the window. By this time, there were three castmembers in on the conversation and they all made a point of talking with Hunter and asking him all about the surprise. Hunter is a really good story teller and he had the castmembers and quite a few guests rolling laughing by the time he got to the "I gotta pee!" part. That's my boy!

Oh, I forgot to tell you, I asked the castmember checking us in if we had been placed in a newly refurbished Nemo room (at the time not all of the rooms had been redone) and she said we had. She also had us in a corner room next to the pool. Sweet!

And for those of you who buy tickets from Disney and book the room separately, you can get the tickets added to your room key. Took them just a few minutes to do it. Just make sure you ask before they print the room keys out.

NOW BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER AND START POSTING PICTURES LET ME TELL YOU THAT THE DATES ON THE PICTURES ARE ALL OUT OF WHACK!

The batteries in the camera died and I replaced them. Me, being all technology challeged, didn't know how to reset the date. I tried, I really did. Just when I got it set, the replacement batteries died. (They were in the backpack and I didn't know that they were still in there from another trip.) When they died later on in the trip, I replaced them again. I tried to reset the date and somehow got the a.m. and p.m. mixed up and well, heck, let me just say, the dates are all screwed up so don't look at the dates.

After Hunter had provided the castmembers with their afternoon entertainment, we were handed our folder of information and were free to go. So, we went. Straight to Martinique Building 24. (This was our third stay at the CBR so we knew just where we were to go.) It was a preferred location which I normally wouldn't have spent the extra money on but that's all they had available when I booked.

We found a parking spot right next to the sidewalk and grabbed a few things out of the car before heading to our room.

Here's our building!

This is our room number:

We slipped in our key and taaaa-daaaa! This is the first thing we saw:

I had already told Hunter and John that all of my Disboard friends wanted to see pictures of the room. They got into it just as much as I did. They would tell me to take a picture from this way, or that way, or pull the curtains, etc. etc. etc.

Here are more pictures of our room:

Now I don't know about you guys but when I am on vacation, we don't really just sit around. We usually just drop our stuff and start doing things....anything. Nobody can ever say that I don't get my money's worth out of a vacation.

We walked down to the food court to get a bite to eat since we just had a drive-through lunch on the drive down.

I know that I took a few more of the food court and some of the food we ate but those vanished. Here's one of Hunter giving me his "serious" face. He was still super giggly because of his surprise and he kept making funny faces and I told him to give me a serious face.

Two of the food court:

***INTERRUPTION***

For some odd reason, John and Hunter just walked into the room and are looking at me and rubbing their tummies. What's up with that? Oh wait! It's time to cook dinner.

So, I guess that means I have to leave the trip report for now. Hopefully, it won't take me long to come back with the next installment.....Our day at Epcot.

Lisa

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Ooohhh! they have "nemo" rooms...as I mentioned before we were thinking that CBR would be our next resort...not really interested in the pirate rooms, yet. But, Ashton would love Nemo...love the pics...Hunter sounds like he has a GREEEAT personality...I just love all the color at CBR; can't wait to see more...I hope you have pool pics; although if we go in Dec. would we use the pool???

 

[kaysmommie]

Hi there,
Happy you decided to write a trip report . Last fall I enjoyed looking at your CBR pics since we stayed at CBR in October. I like how you were able to pull off the surprise for Hunter . Love your CBR pics, we stayed in Martinque too. Looking forward to more of your report.