LOVEMY3KIDDOS
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 31, 2009
OK!!! This trip report is long over-due! We have been back a little more than a month now. I had intended to start much sooner, but life and a broken computer got in the way! So, without further ado...HERE WE GO!!! (Can you here Peter Pan saying that??!!)
I would like to say that this first installment will be somewhat boring with only one picture. It is a bit lengthy, but informative. I promise, it will get more exciting after this! For those of you that followed the PTR, welcome back! And, if I have not caught up on your report and posted yet, I am coming...I promise! For those of you that don't know us, HELLO!!! I will give you a brief summary.
I am Erin, mother of 3. I am a stay at home mom and enjoy doing things with and for my kids. I also love scrapbooking, reading, a nice cup of tea...and an occassional beer. Basically, I can enjoy myself in the quiet or at a hopping party!
My husband is Justin (J-Pa). He is a hard worker and very loyal. We have been together since high school and he is my true love! Justin is the best father I could ever ask for my kids to have. He enjoys the outdoors, relaxing and coaching the kids.
James is our oldest child at 13. Even though he is the oldest, he will always be my baby. We have our moments...as all parents do with a teenage child. But, all in all he's a great kid. He is an excellent athlete...wrestling and baseball. We are very proud of him. When he isn't practicing or playing, he's texting or playing x-box. (Typical 13 year old boy!)
Lexi is the middle child. She is 10. She is our pleaser. Lexi likes to give hugs and is always doing something for someone. And, she is our Irish Dancer. We love it...she loves it! When she isn't dancing, she's probably reading!
Last, but certainly not least...we have Logan...Poot...the mayor! He is 5 and the funniest, most outgoing and talkative kid ever! There is no one that doesn't like Logan- he won't allow it! (Even the teacher that seemed to not like him now loves him.) Pooty has started wrestling and is already quite good. As far as his personality, you will see throughout this TR just how infectious it really is!
So, that's us and overall, we are a fun bunch that loves to laugh, joke around and live life to it's fullest! We try not to let ourselves have a dull moment, get serious when needed and make wonderful memories all the time! And, that's that in a nutshell!!
Here's a family shot from this trip so all the newbies to our family can see us and we can have a little something other than words:
Before getting right into things, I will recap the specifics:
December 2-11, 2009
Split stay between POR and AKV (with an unexpected pit stop at the Contemporary!!)
Deluxe dining plan for the first half of the trip
Alright...with all that out of the way, I will get into the meat and potatoes of the trip! Well...I will do the best that I can since I took no notes and am working strictly from memory!!!
So, we left for Disney on December 2. The events of that day leading up to our departure were fairly routine. I ran some errands, packed our last minute items, helped Justin pack the car, finished cleaning...all the fun stuff to keep me busy and distracted from the clock. Soon enough, James got home from school at 3:00. We were out the door at about 3:15 (after saying good-bye to my sister-in-law and the animals). We went over to the elementary school and got the other two out about 15 minutes early and hit the road for the airport at about 3:45. Our flight was for 7:25. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to get to Philadelphia airport from our house. That gets us there at about 5:15 or 5:30...giving us two hours to check two bags, go through security and wait to board. Plenty of time!! Well....I asked several people that I know that live and / or work in that area about traffic at that time. They all told me that traffic would be bad leaving the city at that time, but not going in. So, we were gold! Plus, we had about an hour cushion just in case. So, about 1/2 hour into the trip, we hit the McDonald's drive-thru. 10 minute stop and back on the road. Still on target time-wise.
After eating, I collected everyone's garbage to get rid of it at the parking garage. We were getting so close to the airport I could hardly stand it! We had parking reservations at a lot a mile from the airport. They were charging $80 for the duration while the airport was $180. So, as we got closer, the traffic got heavier. We were about 15 miles out and came nearly to a dead stop. I tried not to panic knowing the extra time we had.
But!!!!!! As we crept along, I saw the minutes growing! Soon enough, it was 6:15 and we were still not there. Our flight was in just over one hour. We were ALL panicing! So, I called the airport...no more flights after that one...we had to be checked in by 6:55...and had 5 miles to go! Now I'm in super-panic mode! The nice gentleman at the airport gave us an alternate route and got us to the airport. So, we had to swallow the extra $100 to park at the airport plus the deposit I had already paid at the other place. But, cutting it this close gave us no other option. We didn't have time to transfer from another parking lot. Besides, spending an extra $100 was better than missing our flight, right?! So, we pull into the lot at 6:50...T minus 35 minutes until take off!!! We park, scramble out of the car, collect all of the bags and RUN!!!!! We got to the AirTran counter at 7:00. Luckily, I had checked us in on-line and already paid for the bags.
So, the process of checking our bags was quick and painless. Then, back upstairs to security. We went right through and RAN...all five of us...all 10 carry-ons...to the gate! When we got there, they were getting ready to board. We JUST made it! That was one of the scariest moments of my life! Everyone quickly went to the bathroom and then got on the plane. When we got to our seats (not easy with 3 kids and 10 bags), there was someone sitting in one of our seats. He said he had a ticket and I had ours. After going back and forth, it turned out he was on the wrong flight! He got through the gate person and everything!! Makes you wonder how secure things really are, huh?!
Anyway, bags away, in our seats, belts on...we took off at about 7:45. It was late, but we would be in Disney in a few hours!! About 1/2 hour into the flight, Justin started to feel ill. He doesn't get air sick normally, so we figured it was nerves from nearly missing the flight. This continued the entire flight. I kept the kids busy so he could rest. Our flight was also very choppy and I'm sure that did not help.
Finally we touched down in Orlando safe and sound! After taking off 20 minutes late, we still landed on time. We gathered our carry-ons and headed tp baggage claim. I took a couple of pictures along the way but will have to post them in the next installement because they are not on the new computer.
About 10:30 we had claimed our two bags and headed to ME. We checked into ME and waited about 10 minutes or so. By 11:00 we had loaded, our bus had finished filling and we were pulling out and heading to the world!! I was so happy to see that welcome video! At about 11:30, we pulled into POR. We got our bags and headed to check in. Surprisingly, for that time of night, check-in was busy.
It took about 30 minutes to get checked in. After that task was checked off, we went back to bell services to get a ride to our room. We were in building 36. Thank goodness we could get a ride as it was POURING!!!! Our nice driver gave us a bit of a tour and resort facts on the way to our room. Logan (in true fashion) sat up front with the driver (talking and asking questions the whole way).
After our ride, we all got in the room, the kids showered and headed to bed. Justin still did not feel well, so he went to bed and I unpacked until about 2:00 am. That, my friends, was our exciting arrival day!
Next up: Day 1...Magic Kingdom, new friends and will Justin feel better?
I would like to say that this first installment will be somewhat boring with only one picture. It is a bit lengthy, but informative. I promise, it will get more exciting after this! For those of you that followed the PTR, welcome back! And, if I have not caught up on your report and posted yet, I am coming...I promise! For those of you that don't know us, HELLO!!! I will give you a brief summary.
I am Erin, mother of 3. I am a stay at home mom and enjoy doing things with and for my kids. I also love scrapbooking, reading, a nice cup of tea...and an occassional beer. Basically, I can enjoy myself in the quiet or at a hopping party!
My husband is Justin (J-Pa). He is a hard worker and very loyal. We have been together since high school and he is my true love! Justin is the best father I could ever ask for my kids to have. He enjoys the outdoors, relaxing and coaching the kids.
James is our oldest child at 13. Even though he is the oldest, he will always be my baby. We have our moments...as all parents do with a teenage child. But, all in all he's a great kid. He is an excellent athlete...wrestling and baseball. We are very proud of him. When he isn't practicing or playing, he's texting or playing x-box. (Typical 13 year old boy!)
Lexi is the middle child. She is 10. She is our pleaser. Lexi likes to give hugs and is always doing something for someone. And, she is our Irish Dancer. We love it...she loves it! When she isn't dancing, she's probably reading!
Last, but certainly not least...we have Logan...Poot...the mayor! He is 5 and the funniest, most outgoing and talkative kid ever! There is no one that doesn't like Logan- he won't allow it! (Even the teacher that seemed to not like him now loves him.) Pooty has started wrestling and is already quite good. As far as his personality, you will see throughout this TR just how infectious it really is!
So, that's us and overall, we are a fun bunch that loves to laugh, joke around and live life to it's fullest! We try not to let ourselves have a dull moment, get serious when needed and make wonderful memories all the time! And, that's that in a nutshell!!
Here's a family shot from this trip so all the newbies to our family can see us and we can have a little something other than words:
Before getting right into things, I will recap the specifics:
December 2-11, 2009
Split stay between POR and AKV (with an unexpected pit stop at the Contemporary!!)
Deluxe dining plan for the first half of the trip
Alright...with all that out of the way, I will get into the meat and potatoes of the trip! Well...I will do the best that I can since I took no notes and am working strictly from memory!!!
So, we left for Disney on December 2. The events of that day leading up to our departure were fairly routine. I ran some errands, packed our last minute items, helped Justin pack the car, finished cleaning...all the fun stuff to keep me busy and distracted from the clock. Soon enough, James got home from school at 3:00. We were out the door at about 3:15 (after saying good-bye to my sister-in-law and the animals). We went over to the elementary school and got the other two out about 15 minutes early and hit the road for the airport at about 3:45. Our flight was for 7:25. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to get to Philadelphia airport from our house. That gets us there at about 5:15 or 5:30...giving us two hours to check two bags, go through security and wait to board. Plenty of time!! Well....I asked several people that I know that live and / or work in that area about traffic at that time. They all told me that traffic would be bad leaving the city at that time, but not going in. So, we were gold! Plus, we had about an hour cushion just in case. So, about 1/2 hour into the trip, we hit the McDonald's drive-thru. 10 minute stop and back on the road. Still on target time-wise.
After eating, I collected everyone's garbage to get rid of it at the parking garage. We were getting so close to the airport I could hardly stand it! We had parking reservations at a lot a mile from the airport. They were charging $80 for the duration while the airport was $180. So, as we got closer, the traffic got heavier. We were about 15 miles out and came nearly to a dead stop. I tried not to panic knowing the extra time we had.
But!!!!!! As we crept along, I saw the minutes growing! Soon enough, it was 6:15 and we were still not there. Our flight was in just over one hour. We were ALL panicing! So, I called the airport...no more flights after that one...we had to be checked in by 6:55...and had 5 miles to go! Now I'm in super-panic mode! The nice gentleman at the airport gave us an alternate route and got us to the airport. So, we had to swallow the extra $100 to park at the airport plus the deposit I had already paid at the other place. But, cutting it this close gave us no other option. We didn't have time to transfer from another parking lot. Besides, spending an extra $100 was better than missing our flight, right?! So, we pull into the lot at 6:50...T minus 35 minutes until take off!!! We park, scramble out of the car, collect all of the bags and RUN!!!!! We got to the AirTran counter at 7:00. Luckily, I had checked us in on-line and already paid for the bags.
So, the process of checking our bags was quick and painless. Then, back upstairs to security. We went right through and RAN...all five of us...all 10 carry-ons...to the gate! When we got there, they were getting ready to board. We JUST made it! That was one of the scariest moments of my life! Everyone quickly went to the bathroom and then got on the plane. When we got to our seats (not easy with 3 kids and 10 bags), there was someone sitting in one of our seats. He said he had a ticket and I had ours. After going back and forth, it turned out he was on the wrong flight! He got through the gate person and everything!! Makes you wonder how secure things really are, huh?!
Anyway, bags away, in our seats, belts on...we took off at about 7:45. It was late, but we would be in Disney in a few hours!! About 1/2 hour into the flight, Justin started to feel ill. He doesn't get air sick normally, so we figured it was nerves from nearly missing the flight. This continued the entire flight. I kept the kids busy so he could rest. Our flight was also very choppy and I'm sure that did not help.
Finally we touched down in Orlando safe and sound! After taking off 20 minutes late, we still landed on time. We gathered our carry-ons and headed tp baggage claim. I took a couple of pictures along the way but will have to post them in the next installement because they are not on the new computer.
About 10:30 we had claimed our two bags and headed to ME. We checked into ME and waited about 10 minutes or so. By 11:00 we had loaded, our bus had finished filling and we were pulling out and heading to the world!! I was so happy to see that welcome video! At about 11:30, we pulled into POR. We got our bags and headed to check in. Surprisingly, for that time of night, check-in was busy.
It took about 30 minutes to get checked in. After that task was checked off, we went back to bell services to get a ride to our room. We were in building 36. Thank goodness we could get a ride as it was POURING!!!! Our nice driver gave us a bit of a tour and resort facts on the way to our room. Logan (in true fashion) sat up front with the driver (talking and asking questions the whole way).
After our ride, we all got in the room, the kids showered and headed to bed. Justin still did not feel well, so he went to bed and I unpacked until about 2:00 am. That, my friends, was our exciting arrival day!
Next up: Day 1...Magic Kingdom, new friends and will Justin feel better?
Your heart must have been racing. 
I was getting totally stressed reading this. Where you on the blue route (495) or the Schuylkill Exp? I know the Blue Route backs up quite a bit heading to 95. I am so glad you made it in time, with a few minutes to spare. Talk about stress. That stinks that you had to pay so much to park. Practically the cost of another flight, but definately better than missing the flight.
Glad you made your flight though!!
