"I Think I Broke Myself" - a "mom and me" Oct 2011 TR - "my last day"

Morning broke early in Pop room 2436. My alarm went off at 6:40, and Ma immediately started in with the "good morning, wake up wake up!" that she's done to me my entire life. She'd already been up, taken a shower, and gotten ready by this time.

After her cheery "good morning!", I grunted in her direction about "having a process", "I'm not getting up yet", and generally had my "leave me alone" voice on. I covered my head with the blanket until my snooze alarm went off five minutes later. That was my process; one snooze five minutes after the first alarm. I got out of bed and then it hit me - today was CR day! That perked me right up!

As suggested in the Pop literature, I called a cab and asked them to meet us at 7:15 a.m. for a ride to the Contemporary. My story to Mom was that we could walk right to MK from CR, and we wouldn't have to wait for a bus at Pop or worry about being late. It had been my plan the entire time, even before I booked CR - I wanted to make rope drop pretty bad!

We gathered all our things and headed downstairs. I think Mom may have asked me once what to do about the bags; I think I told her not to worry, but inside I was nervous and excited. She definitely is not the type to ask a bunch of questions, so it had gone smoothly so far!

We paused at the elevator for pics with our mug. Here's Mom:

DSCN0259.jpg


And me:

DSCN0260.jpg


In that picture, I'm definitely thinking "I'm not going to be able to pull this off for much longer."

We went through Everything Pop, where there were already plenty of people out and about. We grabbed a quick drink:

DSCN0262.jpg


Then we headed for the front desk area. At this point, I had little to no idea how I was going to get out the door with these bags without Mom asking questions - but I was sure going to try!
 
As an aside - my hometown, beloved St. Louis Cardinals just won the World Series! So happy and excited!
 
So we had our bags, and were moving through the check-in area, and I was certain Mom was going to start asking questions. I had a question of my own: did I need to actually check out? I asked her to wait with the bags off to the side, and I ran up to a guy at the counter and told him quietly: "We're leaving here to go to another resort; do I need to do anything?" He asked me my room number, clicked and clacked on the computer, then said "Nope, you're all set."

I went back to Ma and said, "alright, let's go" and we continued towards the front of Pop and out to the taxi stand area. I saw Mom looking confused, so I immediately fell into conversation with the taxi stand guy to try to avoid a conversation with her - I told him I called a cab to take us to the Contemporary.

He said "no need for that" and waved over the next cab.

I gave my bags to the man and Mom handed over hers. I think she asked something like "we're taking our bags?" but I said something like "oh, don't worry about it. I've got it all figured out."

I let her get in first, and then I got in. The driver asked "Contemporary?" and I said yes.

We pulled out onto the main road, and I could feel my heart beating in my throat. Right when we pulled out, we saw some construction on the opposite side of the road leading to Pop, and a bunch of cars and buses were backed up, waiting.

I said "Look at that traffic!"

"Yeah!" Mom says. "Wonder what's going on?"

"Who knows," I say. Then I couldn't help myself: "With that construction, I'm glad we're not staying here again tonight."

There was a moment of silence.

"Not staying here?" she asked.

At that point I clammed up. I physically couldn't say anything. I felt like my throat had closed up in anticipation, and so I just sat there for a second. As we sat, I guess she finally realized something was up - she suddenly grabbed my leg and said "Are we staying at the Contemporary?"

I couldn't answer for a minute. She asked again; and then I just said "I told you we were moving somewhere closer."

The look of shock on her face was well worth the anguish of keeping the surprise; she couldn't believe it. Her first objection was that it was too expensive (because she's always thinking of me first), but I told her it was all taken care of and that I'd gotten an unbelievable deal. Then I reached into my purse and handed over her new CR pin:

DSCN0268.jpg


I told her all the ways I had "let her know" about the CR over the past week, including the day before. For the next couple of minutes we could BOTH be excited; now that I had someone to share the excitement with, we talked the rest of the way about how we couldn't believe we'd be staying at the CR! I had known for about a week that we'd be able to walk out of our room and onto the monorail; it had to sink in for her now too!

Soon we were here:

DSCN0271.jpg


We checked in, left my cell number so they could text us when the room was ready, left our bags with bell services, and then took off like a couple of banshees for rope drop at MK! It was already almost 8 a.m.; could we make it in time?

Here we go!

DSCN0274.jpg


and then

DSCN0275.jpg


We started jogging at this point, because we could hear the music:

DSCN0276.jpg


Aw drat - just missed the show! We did get to see some fireworks shoot off, and see the characters appear to be getting back on the train (?).

DSCN0278.jpg


Oh well, now that we were FINALLY here, and staying within walking distance to the MK, it was time to hit some rides! You can see my Mom's button - she was celebrating "being awesome" as that was the button I made for her. She got a few comments on it during our trip!
 
I really have been enjoying your TR. I love that you love your mom that much to surprise her. Conteporary was the first place i ever stayed in DW but I don't remember it as it was when i was young. Hope to go back soon.
 


I really have been enjoying your TR. I love that you love your mom that much to surprise her. Contemporary was the first place i ever stayed in DW but I don't remember it as it was when i was young. Hope to go back soon.

Thanks so much! My mom and I are really close, as it was just her and I for a number of years (I have two older brothers, but they lived with their dad growing up), and she's always been so selfless and thoughtful - - I was SO GLAD I could do this for her. Well, really, for US. It is a great memory to have together - staying at the CR for the first time after so many years of "MAN, I wish I could stay there!" My, how the tables have turned. :goodvibes
 
That's just so awesome! You pulled it off!

That's great that she was so excited and happy about it. You're right, the best thing about staying at the Contemporary is being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom. :thumbsup2
 


That's just so awesome! You pulled it off!

That's great that she was so excited and happy about it. You're right, the best thing about staying at the Contemporary is being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom. :thumbsup2

She really was excited. There may have been some tearing up as well... When she grabbed my leg, I knew she knew. I couldn't drag it out any longer.

I couldn't believe HOW EASY it was to get to MK. I mean, I knew it was close - - but WOW. And it was WONDERFUL for MNSSHP, and for the next night's Dessert Party. Also, I got to spend the whole day just walking around MK on Saturday and it was so easy to get back for DBF to come and get me that day. I loved it!
 
Awwww, what a wonderful surprise for your mom! I can't believe you pulled it off so perfectly, excellent work! :woohoo: Isn't the Contemporary gorgeous? I just loved the decor.

I got the same CR pin for myself. It's so cute with the little monorail on it. And can we talk about how amazing that walkway to the Magic Kingdom is? Wow, what easy access.

Can't wait to hear about your morning at MK! popcorn::
 
Awwww, what a wonderful surprise for your mom! I can't believe you pulled it off so perfectly, excellent work! :woohoo: Isn't the Contemporary gorgeous? I just loved the decor.

I got the same CR pin for myself. It's so cute with the little monorail on it. And can we talk about how amazing that walkway to the Magic Kingdom is? Wow, what easy access.

Can't wait to hear about your morning at MK! popcorn::

Ha, thanks; I didn't think there was any way I could surprise her but she's just so easy going - she just never really questioned me in such a way I couldn't put off her questions without much trouble, and if I hadn't said anything, she would have just been shocked at the CR when we got there. However, I'm glad I said something ahead of time, because we got to squeal for the whole taxi trip from then on. :thumbsup2 I didn't buy a CR pin for myself and kind of wish I had!!

I loved looking at all the bricks on my walks over. Plus, it was just the right length to get "warmed up" for all the walking at the parks.
 
Plane seatmates are such a crapshoot. We were in Target today and a baby started screaming and all I could think was thank goodness we wouldn't be flying with babies! Driving takes longer but at least it will only be us two.

I've never taken a cab before (I really like trains) and it always seems so glamorous. Are the taxis at Disney nice?

Yay for moving to the Contemporary! I love that resort so much (no offense to the values or anything, but the last time I was at the values was a school trip and they taped the doors shut at night so there's not a lot of fun memories there).
 
Plane seatmates are such a crapshoot. We were in Target today and a baby started screaming and all I could think was thank goodness we wouldn't be flying with babies! Driving takes longer but at least it will only be us two.

I've never taken a cab before (I really like trains) and it always seems so glamorous. Are the taxis at Disney nice?

Yay for moving to the Contemporary! I love that resort so much (no offense to the values or anything, but the last time I was at the values was a school trip and they taped the doors shut at night so there's not a lot of fun memories there).

I wish we could drive - I just prefer having the extra time at WDW and am not too keen on the long car drive if I don't have to. We always drove when I was a kid.

As for the taxis - definitely NOT glamorous! :laughing: Just regular cabs that get a lot of wear, since we always saw them ALL over the place. They're clean, so that's good, but just regular taxis. I didn't even notice any Disney-fication, as one might expect.

Ha, we stayed at a value back in high school for our dance team; only one set of parents went, and our coaches could have cared less if we went out at 3 a.m. - so we did. Often. And it was the best trip ever.

Enjoying your trip report so far. The Contemporary how fun!

Thank you! The Contemporary was VERY VERY nice and I really hope that I can stay there again at some point in the future. It was my first deluxe; and that view! Can't be beat! Bay Lake OR Magic Kingdom view - just beautiful. Pictures to come later!
 
Ah, morning at Disney.

And if it's morning, that means it's time for breakfast!

We made it into the gates around 8:05 a.m., and we were hungry - we'd been up for quite awhile already.

So when we walked past Main Street Bakery, we decided to see what's cooking (and also get my daily bottle of water).

DSCN0280.jpg


I like kitchen stuff, and Disney stuff, so a picture is in order here:

DSCN0282.jpg


We salivated over all the food, and finally chose our individual breakfasts (which we ended up sharing, as we did with several meals). I had the egg, cheese, and ham croissant (zomg) and mom had this chocolate chip pastry of some sort.

DSCN0283.jpg


We ate in a leisurely fashion, and then it was time to do some rides, since we hadn't done any yesterday. But first?

DSCN0284.jpg


I wanted to walk through the castle when we headed into Fantasyland, and Ma was kind enough to oblige.

DSCN0285.jpg


It's funny, because everywhere I'm missing pictures I have videos. However, I'm not going to post them here because mainly they're only for my own amusement. :rotfl: I have a video of us marveling at the Cinderella mosaic as we walked through.

DSCN0288.jpg


Now we're in Fantasyland - what to ride first?

Mom's choice!

Snow White! I'm sorry, I was too excited for pictures. But you've seen it, right?

Then? Also Mom's choice:

DSCN0298.jpg


IASW! Don't you love the lines during EMH? My camera ALWAYS blurs everything in this place unless I'm very careful (I'm sure there's a setting I'm unaware of), so here's the only good pic I have from the inside:

DSCN0297.jpg


We went to Peter Pan. I'm sorry, I don't have pictures. Again, the excitement was out of control. Oddly, they did let me use the GAC, even though there was no FP at that time in the morning. It was so helpful!

Next up, a family favorite:

DSCN0302.jpg


This picture was in honor of my mom's "dear brother Dave" - who is not departed from anything but his mind. :laughing: Just kidding, he's super-cool and one of the funniest guys out there.

This was our first time through the new queue - I liked it, but we chose the old queue from then on out.

DSCN0303.jpg


Let's go to BTMRR, shall we? Ok! But first, we stopped to see if we wanted to eat at LTT. We looked at the menu (we had ADRs for later in the day), and thought "yeah, we'll come back".

Ok, NOW on to BTMRR.

We walked by this sign, and squealed in excitement. We'll be back!

DSCN0304.jpg


We tried the GAC here at BTMRR - they put us in the wheelchair line, which did take longer but was a lot more comfortable to think about having to leave. I felt guilty at going before a girl in a wheelchair who got into line behind us, however. But she was thoroughly enjoying herself in that line; her parents helped her up and she was dancing.

DSCN0306.jpg


Alright, back over to Splash! There was almost no line at all - crazy! I stored my camera (I take a gallon sized ziplock and put my entire purse in there) and proceeded to enjoy the ride without taking pictures. It's ok, I have the full ride through on both my phone and camera from last year. :)

The people in the row behind us kept laughing since we were the only people getting the water for most of the trip through.

DSCN0314.jpg


Whew! We need a break.

DSCN0315.jpg


Ok, we're done! Let's go to:

DSCN0317.jpg


But quickly, a pic for my friend's daughter. She loves LOVES goofy:

DSCN0320.jpg


Now we headed across the park to Tomorrowland. Mom was on a Space Mountain mission, but my stomach was disagreeing. Hm, what's a good way to relax temporarily in Tomorrowland, while going on a wonderful guided tour of happiness?

THE WEDWAY OF COURSE:

DSCN0324.jpg


I don't care what THEY call it; it's the Wedway to me, forever.

And now?

DSCN0329.jpg


We're heading in!!

DSCN0333.jpg


Are you really, REALLY going to ride, Mom?

The answer is YES; and take a look at THIS:

DSCN0335.jpg


I still laugh until I almost cry every time I see this picture. Just about the funniest thing to me.

Well, now we were hungry and our ADR at LTT was still two hours away! But Mom and I discussed it - let's ditch the ADR (canceling it, of course) and head over to Epcot for Sunshine Seasons! And, of course, we could follow this up with our first ever ride on Soarin'!

Sounds good, let's go! I could use me a little Gran Fiesta Tour, for sure!

On the way out, we ran into these guys. We stood and watched for only a minute; we were on a mission.

DSCN0337.jpg
 
Wow, you guys covered a lot of ground that morning! A good mix of rides, some thrill, some nostalgia...the perfect MK mix!

Sunshine Seasons, yum! Good choice. :thumbsup2
 
Wow, you guys covered a lot of ground that morning! A good mix of rides, some thrill, some nostalgia...the perfect MK mix!

Sunshine Seasons, yum! Good choice. :thumbsup2

Yep, we hauled our cookies all around the park that day! Snow White was one we rode when I was very very young (terrified me) and mom had just learned the night before (from me) that it was going to be torn down, so it definitely should be a first ride.

IASW was always a favorite of us both, along with Peter Pan.

And Haunted Mansion has a permanent place in my heart, as it gave me one of the biggest scares of my LIFE back when I was 3 - when I heard the ghost was going to follow me home, I had a FIT and cried and had nightmares for quite a long time. Still do, to be honest. :laughing: And Splash / Space Mountain was a must do as well - we really covered our bases that morning!!!
 
You definitely sound like my mom and I. When we travel together, we share meals all the time. Since we like the same things, it really helps with decision making.

You guy got a lot of things accomplished that morning. :thumbsup2
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!










Top