garryhman
DisDad's #562
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2009
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. –
Walt Disney
O.k. Walt, it is time for me to start doing. Here is my attempt at making an entertaining and insightful report on our 2nd family trip to Walt Disney World!
Introductions
The Characters:
Garry, 30 (the dad) – I will be the narrator for the report on this fabulous trip. Though I had an excellent upbringing by parents who couldn’t have loved me more, I was born into a family of modest means where it was hard for us to afford many things such as vacations to places such as Disney World. “Vacation” for us was a yearly trip to Columbus, Indiana for our family reunion. My entire childhood Disney World always seemed way down in Florida, and I was here in South-East Ohio, and that was the way it would stay. It wasn’t until I was sixteen that I got to go on my first trip. I went with my Law class in high school. My portion was funded by money from anonymous donors (who I can’t thank enough) and the meager savings I had from the previous summer’s job. From the second I stepped off the bus and seen the Disney All-Star’s Sports resort that I was staying at, I was hooked.
It would be another 13 years before I could return to that Magical place during which time I went to college, got a job, got married and had a child before I got to return. The opportunity to return came through my work as a direct support professional for adults with disabilities. The gentleman who I had worked with for 4 years received a trip from his sister for Christmas. When asked who he would like to accompany him on his trip he selected me.
Soon after my return, my wife and I decided then that we would take our daughter (at that time 4 years old) later that year. Seeing how I had been so fortunate to have gone twice, thanks to the kindness of others, we also took along my eldest niece (who was 17 at that time) who had always been close to us as she grew up. We rented points from a DVC member and stayed at the Boardwalk Villas. That trip was so great that now, a year and a half later, we are going again.
Brandy, 29 (the mom) – My wife had quite a similar upbringing as me. Though she had traveled some as a child, experiences such as Disney World were too costly for her family to endeavor. Her first trip to Disney also came by way as a school trip. Her high school band got to march during a parade at the Magic Kingdom, and band boosters and fund raisers paid the way for all the kids to go. She knew then after starting a family of her own, that she would do make sure her kids would have a family trip to WDW. It came to realization on our Boardwalk Villa trip.
Katelyn, 5 (the daughter) – Soon to be six years old, Katelyn’s first trip to WDW came at four and a half. It couldn’t have gone better (from a parents point of view anyways). Since she could talk, she has had an infatuation with Disney Princesses and Barbie. So much so, that I can’t remember the last birthday, Easter, or Christmas presents where princesses did not play an integral part. Her bedroom is clad with princess posters and pictures, nearly to the point you can no longer see the soft pink glossy painted walls they reside on; her backpacks of today and past have adorned the Disney royalty; and though she has clothes without princess insignia on them, they are rarely seen. So, what better way to celebrate her sixth birthday than at Akershus for the Story Book Dinner?
Wesley, 5 (the friend) - Wesley is the son of my wife’s best friend Lisa. Wesley, Lisa, Corbitt (Wesley’s dad/Lisa’s Husband), and Conner (the newest edition to their family) live a little over 3 hours away from us, so we don’t get to see as much of each other as either family would like. When we do get to see each other, I spend most of my time with Wesley and Katelyn while the adults talk! (My wife says it’s nice that I have kids my maturity level to play with). Being the only man in the house can emasculate you, so it’s nice to play Tonka trucks and cops and robbers rather than the regular princess parade that Katelyn likes to throw. Wesley is a great kid, and him and Katelyn have a great time when together. Other than my daughter, there isn’t a person under 4 feet tall I love more. With this in mind, my wife and I thought it would be nice for Katelyn to have someone her own age along on our trip. We couldn’t think of anyone better to come on our WDW trip with us.
The Pre-Trip Report:
We will be leaving for WDW on Friday May 27th. We will make the 15 hour drive
(so says Google Maps, but I bet I’ll make it in 14) through the night. Flying wasn’t in the budget. I plan to take off that Friday and spend most of it sleeping so that I can drive all night while the kids hopefully sleep most of the way down. Though I love kids and I am a kind soul, the phrases “How much longer?” and “Are we there yet” turn me into a bit of a mad man. 
Best case scenario is children sleeping. The worst case has me snapping arms like a cage fighter. I prefer children in one piece, so I hope they sleep. We are also bringing plenty for them to do while riding and awake, so all should be well. Before heading to our hotel on Saturday we are thinking about going to the beach, but that is still up in the air.
Though we still haven't booked a hotel for that next day, we will stay near Kissimmee for Saturday night. Brandy will take the kids to the pool while I try to focus on the inside of my eyelids. We'll get pizza or some sort of take out that night for dinner. The following morning we head to Disney! We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. I can't say I know too much about POFQ, other than it's at Disney.
We took advantage of the free dinning package that was available when we booked in November, so most meals will be covered. Our ADR are as follows:
This is pretty much what we were hoping for. Just sitting here thinking of those JUMBO shrimp and pork tenderloin coming around on skewers is making my mouth water a little. And how could I forget the Dessert?!? I’m not the most seasoned Disney vet and I might not know where the best place to eat at is, but I know that I’ve loved every bite of food I’ve ever had at Ohana.
That's all for now. Hope you enjoy the rest!
Walt DisneyO.k. Walt, it is time for me to start doing. Here is my attempt at making an entertaining and insightful report on our 2nd family trip to Walt Disney World!
Introductions
The Characters:
Garry, 30 (the dad) – I will be the narrator for the report on this fabulous trip. Though I had an excellent upbringing by parents who couldn’t have loved me more, I was born into a family of modest means where it was hard for us to afford many things such as vacations to places such as Disney World. “Vacation” for us was a yearly trip to Columbus, Indiana for our family reunion. My entire childhood Disney World always seemed way down in Florida, and I was here in South-East Ohio, and that was the way it would stay. It wasn’t until I was sixteen that I got to go on my first trip. I went with my Law class in high school. My portion was funded by money from anonymous donors (who I can’t thank enough) and the meager savings I had from the previous summer’s job. From the second I stepped off the bus and seen the Disney All-Star’s Sports resort that I was staying at, I was hooked.
It would be another 13 years before I could return to that Magical place during which time I went to college, got a job, got married and had a child before I got to return. The opportunity to return came through my work as a direct support professional for adults with disabilities. The gentleman who I had worked with for 4 years received a trip from his sister for Christmas. When asked who he would like to accompany him on his trip he selected me.
Soon after my return, my wife and I decided then that we would take our daughter (at that time 4 years old) later that year. Seeing how I had been so fortunate to have gone twice, thanks to the kindness of others, we also took along my eldest niece (who was 17 at that time) who had always been close to us as she grew up. We rented points from a DVC member and stayed at the Boardwalk Villas. That trip was so great that now, a year and a half later, we are going again.
Brandy, 29 (the mom) – My wife had quite a similar upbringing as me. Though she had traveled some as a child, experiences such as Disney World were too costly for her family to endeavor. Her first trip to Disney also came by way as a school trip. Her high school band got to march during a parade at the Magic Kingdom, and band boosters and fund raisers paid the way for all the kids to go. She knew then after starting a family of her own, that she would do make sure her kids would have a family trip to WDW. It came to realization on our Boardwalk Villa trip.
We will be leaving for WDW on Friday May 27th. We will make the 15 hour drive
(so says Google Maps, but I bet I’ll make it in 14) through the night. Flying wasn’t in the budget. I plan to take off that Friday and spend most of it sleeping so that I can drive all night while the kids hopefully sleep most of the way down. Though I love kids and I am a kind soul, the phrases “How much longer?” and “Are we there yet” turn me into a bit of a mad man. Best case scenario is children sleeping. The worst case has me snapping arms like a cage fighter. I prefer children in one piece, so I hope they sleep. We are also bringing plenty for them to do while riding and awake, so all should be well. Before heading to our hotel on Saturday we are thinking about going to the beach, but that is still up in the air.Though we still haven't booked a hotel for that next day, we will stay near Kissimmee for Saturday night. Brandy will take the kids to the pool while I try to focus on the inside of my eyelids. We'll get pizza or some sort of take out that night for dinner. The following morning we head to Disney! We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. I can't say I know too much about POFQ, other than it's at Disney.
We took advantage of the free dinning package that was available when we booked in November, so most meals will be covered. Our ADR are as follows:
5/29 at 5:55pm - 1900 Park Fare
5/30 at 6:45pm - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
5/31 at 5:05pm – Ohana
6/1 at 7:30pm – Chef Mickey’s
6/2 at 6:40pm – Whispering Canyon Café
5/30 at 6:45pm - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
5/31 at 5:05pm – Ohana
6/1 at 7:30pm – Chef Mickey’s
6/2 at 6:40pm – Whispering Canyon Café
This is pretty much what we were hoping for. Just sitting here thinking of those JUMBO shrimp and pork tenderloin coming around on skewers is making my mouth water a little. And how could I forget the Dessert?!? I’m not the most seasoned Disney vet and I might not know where the best place to eat at is, but I know that I’ve loved every bite of food I’ve ever had at Ohana.
That's all for now. Hope you enjoy the rest!
when he is around. I think how good a football player I'll make him, or teach him how to do a certain wrestling move (I wrestled in high school) and he isn't even my child. I think that means that subconsciously I want a little boy. What do you think?
