What's the Big Deal With Staying On Property Anyway? *Goodbyes* 12/17 p.114

[lazydoxy66]

YAY! I hope all is well and you are getting everything set up now!

 

[Girldreamer02]

I'm up to number 12...I'll have to finish reading sometime this week because its getting late. Loving your trippie so far. We live about two hours from richmond...I saw that you passed through there. We flew out of richmond in Jan when we went to disney! Are you following me? Haha...I see your moving to Va and I know for a short time I was going to be moving near you...so maybe we're following each other? Loving all the pics and yay for staying on property especially with a discount...even better! Just wanted to say hello...haven't chatted with you in quite some time and let ya know I'm loving the trippie...I have mine going on as well so feel free to check it out if you get a spare moment! We stayed at AKL and then did a cruise on the magic as well!

 

[carissanboys]

Glad to hear you are there in your new home!!!

Thanks Jackie! We're loving getting to know the area. Everything is so close by!!!

In the house camping sounds like fun!

Too bad all of us can't be there to help you haul all the furniture in and help you get set up.

Have fun at the beach!

House camping is fun for a few days - after that - not so much. ;-)

Hey Car! I know you are busy with your move so I thought I would post my new TR link here so you can find me easily once things calm down for you.




The Sea Witch Stole My Voice! Our Two Week Land and Sea Adventure

Thanks Lessa!

Yay! You're in your new house! How exciting! I bet the boys are enjoying "camping out" in the house...I know my girls would think it was fun, too. Good luck getting set up!

Thanks!

Hi Carissa!

Glad you are in the new house....even if you are "camping out"!

I know how crazy things are for you, but just wanted to let you know you are missed! Come back soon!

Thanks Missy. Seeing as I don't have a real chair to sit in, I can't stand being on the puter for very long! But, I hope to get caught up this weekend.

Hi Carissa and happy birthday Owen!

Fantastic that you are getting your stuff tomorrow. Door to Door moves are great. In Texas we had to do the camping in the apartment for two months while our house was being completed. It's fun for a few days, but after that.....

I agree!

Glad to hear you are getting settled into your new home. I hope your stuff arrives safe & sound tomorrow.

Thanks Amy. Didn't arrive, but I'll update that in just a sec.

just found this...i'll be back to read when I have a little more time!

Hey! Glad to see you here!

You've arrived! how wonderful!! looking forward to your updates.

Thanks - hopefully this weekend I will get an update posted.

YAY! I hope all is well and you are getting everything set up now!

Not yet, but soon!

I'm up to number 12...I'll have to finish reading sometime this week because its getting late. Loving your trippie so far. We live about two hours from richmond...I saw that you passed through there. We flew out of richmond in Jan when we went to disney! Are you following me? Haha...I see your moving to Va and I know for a short time I was going to be moving near you...so maybe we're following each other? Loving all the pics and yay for staying on property especially with a discount...even better! Just wanted to say hello...haven't chatted with you in quite some time and let ya know I'm loving the trippie...I have mine going on as well so feel free to check it out if you get a spare moment! We stayed at AKL and then did a cruise on the magic as well!

It's good to hear from you again. How is everything going in VA? I'll get over to your TR soon.


Okay! Just got a call from the movers and they'll be here later this morning with our stuff!! It's a real bed for me tonight!!

I'm trying to get Sully into the doctor's today. He got bit by a small tick a few weeks ago. He started having a fever about a week after and I took him in. They didn't think it was lyme disease, but they did a blood test to be sure. We didn't hear anything back so I assumed it was negative. But, I've heard you can get a false negative the first time.

This week he's had headaches and low grade fevers and has felt tired. I noticed this weird circle on his leg two days ago and he said it had been there a few days but it had been all red before. It's not at the bite site, but I believe that can happen. So, now I'm really worried it's lyme disease.

Hope you all are well and things should be getting back to normal around here by the end of the week.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I hope Sully feels better soon!!!

 

[dddisrunner]

Hi Carissa! I have been thinking about you and your family. I am happy to hear that you are getting settled into your new home and getting acclimated to your new community! Sorry to hear about Sully! I hope it's just a plain old virus and not lymes! I will say a prayer for him!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

3 cheers for a real bed!!

I'll keep Sully in my prayers...looking forward to hearing a good report.

 

[blue_river]

So glad you're settled in your new place

Luckily I haven't missed too much over here

Seeing as we were up late the night before, we all slept in until about 7:30 the next morning.

You call that sleeping in?

The only concrete plans we had were dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe and a carriage ride later in the evening. Unfortunately, I woke up with a migraine. I was glad it happened on an off day rather than a park day.

Sorry about the migraine...hope it didn't last long

We started out trying to get the smaller one and have Connor and Owen right in the front "baskets", but Connor wouldn't do it. He's scared of heights and I just don't think he felt safe. So, we opted to get the bigger one. Sully ended up helping to pedal quite a bit. We did two loops around and were pretty hot and sweaty by the time we finished. I believe it cost about $20 for a 30 minute rental.

Family fun stuff
We rented one also...not sure I've got to that part yet

The old Tree Houses were closed years ago because it became illegal to build in Wetlands and that meant Disney could not make repairs (and stay current with handicap codes). Disney ended up buying lots of wetlands and donated them to conservation. In return they were granted permission to rebuild. There are 60 tree houses and they're all brand new as the old ones were torn down.

I didn't know that - thanks for sharing!

After lunch we headed out to do some shopping. Just a few minutes after leaving the restaurant, we realized Sully must have left his hat inside.

Aww..that's too bad.

Anyway - off to look around! (BTW - my migraine was gone by this time - must be the magic of Disney World!)

Yahooty


I hope your bed comes today!

 

[blue_river]

This week he's had headaches and low grade fevers and has felt tired. I noticed this weird circle on his leg two days ago and he said it had been there a few days but it had been all red before. It's not at the bite site, but I believe that can happen. So, now I'm really worried it's lyme disease.

I hope it's just an insect bite. Hugs. I can imagine how worried you must be.

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Carissa...

1st glad to hear you are getting settled in your new home and the furniture is arriving! Can't wait to hear more about the house and all your painting!

Take your time getting back to the TR...we'll be here

2nd, sorry to hear about Sully, that doesn't sound good at all! I'd be nervous too....I really hope it is something else weird and nothing serious.

Keep you in my thoughts!

J-

 

[cjackearl]

Yahooey for a real bed tonight! It'll be nice for your house to feel more like your home with all of your furniture and stuff.

I hope you can get Sully into the doctor quickly and that it ends up being something other than lyme's.

 

[MagicShell]

I am sorry to hear about your son being sick. I hope it is nothing serious. I would be worried also. I hope you get your house set up soon. I know it is no fun to live out of boxes.

 

[wvdislover]

Have fun setting up! Poor Sully I hope he's ok!

 

[GGOOFY1]

Hope Sully is feeling better.

 

[ckdsnynt]

Before the title of my trip report starts a huge debate, let me explain.

This was our third trip to Disney World in three years. On our first trip, we stayed at Shades of Green. While technically ON property, it is not a Disney resort and didn't really have the Disney feeling (at least to me). Basically, there were no towel animals. But, the rooms were large and you couldn't beat the price.

Our second trip took us completely off property to Windsor Hills. We LOVED staying there! So much space to move around, a splash pool all our own, and a quick and easy drive to the parks. (Here's the link to my first PTR/TR - "Our 2nd Trip to Disney! Did It Measure Up?")

So - I asked myself - what was the big deal about staying on Disney property???

This last trip was spur of the moment thanks to some great deals offered to military families by Disney. We were able to purchase our tickets at a great price and they gave us 40% off our room. That pretty much settled it for me - it was time to try staying on property and find out what all of the hoopla was about for ourselves!

The cast:

I'm going to keep the introductions simple. Most of you already know us, but if you don't and would like to find out more, feel free to read my PTR (do not be thrown by the word "camping" in the title ).

Me - Carissa - turned 35 on the trip

DH - Chuck - already 35 (he he he) and getting ready to do his first tour on board a ship

Sullivan - 8 - my thrill rider

Owen - 6 - the one I can always count on to pose with characters

Connor - 4 - my shy one

Stitch - our visitor for this trip (you can find out more about why he's with us in my PTR)

The details:

We left Maryland on Friday, March 27th and returned home on Sunday, April 5th. Our plan was to stay at Port Orleans Riverside for seven nights. We were getting the five day basic park tickets and also taking advantage of the free entry to Sea World.

Now that all of that business is out of the way, we can get on to the trip! But, I'm afraid that will have to wait a bit longer. We just got home yesterday and I have lots to do to get caught up on life. I'm sure y'all understand.

By the way, for those who may be new (please say "hi" as I love to hear from everyone!), my husband just received orders on board his first ship. He'll be leaving us at the end of next month for four months of school in Florida. The boys and I will most likely be moving to the Virginia Beach area sometime in June. And then Chuck will begin his tour on an aircraft carrier in September. I am sure this TR (if I can drag it out long enough ) will have mini-TRs about all of that. If you care to skip over non-Disney stuff, I always have links to installments right here on the main page.

Now, let's get this trip report started...

*Links*

1) Day 1 - Part 1 - Let the Driving Begin!
2) Moving Update
3) Part 2 - Are We a Magnet for Tornadoes or What???
4) Part 3 - What Did Pedro Call Me???
5) Day 2 - Part 1 - It Cost $1.00 to Pee??
6) So Long, Stitch!
7) Part 2 - "I Swear I Wasn't Running Off Without Paying!"
8) Part 3 - Renovations Anyone?
9) Day 3 - Part 1 - Did Toy Story Mania Live Up to the Hype?
10) Part 2 - Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Was I Brave Enought to Ride It?
11) A Moving Update and Mini TR
12) Part 3 - Look Out!! It's the Amazing Collosal Man!!
13) Part 4 - Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!
14) Part 5 - Our First Towel...Creation?
15) Day 4 - Part 1 - A Stitch Kind of Day
16) Part 2 - Will We Lose Stitch Forever??
17) Part 3 - Haunted Mansion or Space Mountain - Which is Scarier?
18) Part 4 - A Birthday Surprise
19) Part 5 - My Birthday Dinner at Kona
20) Moving Update - Getting Close!
21) Part 6 - The Boys Make Friends with the Help of Glow Sticks
22) Day 5 - Part 1 - A Migraine, Laundry, and a Surrey Ride - Oh My!

Carissa: i know I started reading your TR but i went on my own trip and lost track of where I was so I am starting over! I knew I felt a connection with you! you are one year younger than my son! Love those 70"s! I married and had two kids

 

[winkers]

I'm all caught up!

We went for a surrey ride at the beach several years ago, it was the best leg work out ever! I couldn't walk for several days after. I guess the fact that it was on sand and there were 6 of us with only 3 peddling helped a little.

 

[Girldreamer02]

I'm all caught up on your trippie and loving it! We are big fans of Earl of Sandwich too! Its delicious! We never stayed at POR, but it looks like you guys enjoyed it quite a bit. There is a little bit more to do there than at other resorts it seems too, which is nice and convenient if you aren't going to the parks for a day. Sorry you had a migraine...I can relate...they are the worst! Glad that you had a good birthday! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[carissanboys]

I hope Sully feels better soon!!!

Thanks Jackie - he is!

Hi Carissa! I have been thinking about you and your family. I am happy to hear that you are getting settled into your new home and getting acclimated to your new community! Sorry to hear about Sully! I hope it's just a plain old virus and not lymes! I will say a prayer for him!

Thanks Diane. An update on Sully to follow.

3 cheers for a real bed!!

I'll keep Sully in my prayers...looking forward to hearing a good report.

Thanks Missy. I feel so out of the loop here! So much to get caught up on.

So glad you're settled in your new place

Luckily I haven't missed too much over here

No, you haven't!

Hi Carissa...

1st glad to hear you are getting settled in your new home and the furniture is arriving! Can't wait to hear more about the house and all your painting!

Take your time getting back to the TR...we'll be here

2nd, sorry to hear about Sully, that doesn't sound good at all! I'd be nervous too....I really hope it is something else weird and nothing serious.

Keep you in my thoughts!

J-

Thanks Julie! We ended up deciding not to do any painting. We don't want to put the time and money into a place that we don't own. We are hoping to be able to buy a house in the next couple of years so we'll save all of our energy for that!

Yahooey for a real bed tonight! It'll be nice for your house to feel more like your home with all of your furniture and stuff.

I hope you can get Sully into the doctor quickly and that it ends up being something other than lyme's.

It's been great sleeping on a real bed! And definitely feeling more like home now that everything is here.

I am sorry to hear about your son being sick. I hope it is nothing serious. I would be worried also. I hope you get your house set up soon. I know it is no fun to live out of boxes.

Thanks! Update on Sully to follow.

Have fun setting up! Poor Sully I hope he's ok!

Don't know if I'd call it "fun", but it's a good workout!

Hope Sully is feeling better.

Thanks!

Carissa: i know I started reading your TR but i went on my own trip and lost track of where I was so I am starting over! I knew I felt a connection with you! you are one year younger than my son! Love those 70"s! I married and had two kids

How was your trip? Glad to have you back!

I'm all caught up!

We went for a surrey ride at the beach several years ago, it was the best leg work out ever! I couldn't walk for several days after. I guess the fact that it was on sand and there were 6 of us with only 3 peddling helped a little.

Yeah, peddling on sand would not be an easy task!

I'm all caught up on your trippie and loving it! We are big fans of Earl of Sandwich too! Its delicious! We never stayed at POR, but it looks like you guys enjoyed it quite a bit. There is a little bit more to do there than at other resorts it seems too, which is nice and convenient if you aren't going to the parks for a day. Sorry you had a migraine...I can relate...they are the worst! Glad that you had a good birthday! Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for getting caught up! Hopefully an installment to follow this morning.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The doctor felt there were enough symptoms (espcially the rash) to warrant treating Sully for Lyme Disease. He got two doses of Amoxicillin (much stronger dose than normal) on Wednesday and by Thursday morning his fever and headache were pretty much gone. He's been feeling great ever since! Hopefully the early treatment means no future issues.

The house is looking good. We still have some boxes to deal with, but most everything is unpacked and in its place. We're going to take a break today and head to the aquarium.

Hoping to post an installment shortly.

 

[carissanboys]

(I'm doing this update without my notes. Once I find my notebook, I may need to come back and edit. Hopefully the pictures will trigger my memory enough. )

After our trip to Downtown Disney, we got back to our room and relaxed for a little bit before it was time to drive over to the Wilderness Lodge for our dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Our first Disney meal ever on our very first trip was at WCC.

When we arrived at the lodge, I had a mission. I had seen other TRs with pictures taken in a certain spot and I was determined to find it and get our own shot.

We did a little looking around inside.

Owen did some pin trading at one of the kiosks, and I thought I'd taken some pictures, but can't find them now.

Then it was time to check in for our ADR. The boys got to play for just a couple of minutes before we were seated.

We had a great server. I found out that once you make a note in your reservation for your trip that it's someone's birthday, every reservation you have at a restaurant shows that it's your birthday. When our server asked about it, I told him my birthday had been the day before.

Chuck, Sully, and I all ordered the skillet. Chuck ordered one of their shakes too (which comes with the Dining Plan), but I knew it would be too much with the food. I don't remember what Owen and Connor had.

Here are before and after photos of the skillet:

Sully's skillet:

The boys enjoying their food:

And dessert time! This was sooooo good!

Around this time, a CM asked if anyone was celebrating any birthdays or anniversarys. Our server was "kind" enough to holler out, "Carissa is celebrating a birthday!!" Thankfully, they had everyone stand up to do the hokey pokey with those of us celebrating. Then, they brought out the "horses" to ride. I convinced Owen to do it, but he started feeling sick. He sat out the race.

Owen really started to look like he was going to be sick, so I had Chuck take him to the restroom. We settled our bill and all headed to the bathrooms. I saw this light fixture and thought of MeMom and took a picture:

Owen and Chuck came out of the bathroom and there had been no vomiting - woohoo! He still wasn't feeling well so we headed outside. We stopped at the benches and took some photos while just enjoying the moment.

Here's Owen - too much hokey pokey?? (We figure he just had too much liquid with his meal and felt really full.)

We reluctantly headed to the van and left the Lodge. But, we were looking forward to a special treat!

Up Next - Take a Walk With Me

 

[jmskinner]

WCC, my favorite!!! Poor Owen, hope he was feeling better quickly. Did you order ketchup?

 

[DisneyJo]

Love the photos of your boys tucking into their food Thank goodness he was just too full and not ill!