"I could get used to a view like this....Yep, I'm used to it" BLT Spring Break

[mblc14]

Hello...and welcome to our litte journey to the world.

When: March 18-23
Where:BLT (renting points)

Who:

Me, Mike...33 year old teacher/coach and DW, Billie, 35 year old teacher...

LG...9 year old lover of all things Disney...

CM...almost 5 year old boy that loves his cars...

This was our 2nd ever trip to the world, and I kinda wrote a PTR for this trip, but it seemed to turn into a mini-TR from our first trip...if youre interested in reading it, the link is in my sig.

Travel Day 1, Saturday, March 17th.

We live in Southern Iowa, about an hour and a half from Des Moines and we hate, HATE flying out of DSM. The prices are ridicously high. So we decided, again, to fly out of KC. About a 3.5 hour trip, but fares were waaaay lower. So, today was our travel to KC day, arrive at the KC airport Marriott and do the park and fly from there. Take the shuttle over on Sunday morning.

We had packed throughout the week....

...and didnt have much to do this morning and planned on taking it slow and leaving at a decent time, like around 10.

Bill needed a couple of last minute things from Target, so her and LG were going to go, fill up the truck with gas and then be back for us to go. The boys were going to finish up the packing of the little things that had to be used that morning.

However, our slow and laidback morning was about to smack us in the face...Bill came back in to grab something and asked me why I left the middle console lid open....

"I didnt" was my response...

"well, it was when we got in the truck...." was her reply.

Let me backstory this some more. We have lived in our little southern Iowa neighborhood for about 13 years now....and have pretty much been lazy about locking doors, car door, house doors(except at night), etc...

Turns out, sometime during the night someone decided to open my truck door and take all the measly change and my......wallet!!!

Yup....ID, gone!! Debit Card, gone!!! 3 Credit Cards, GONE!! Now, I never have any cash, so they didnt get anything of any value from the truck. They did snag some DVDs from Billie's van and her change too!!! The discovery probably happened around 9ish.

So, we call the police to report it since our debit and credit cards were taken just to file an official report. I call and cancel the credit cards(this will come into play later) and Bllie calls the bank to cancel the debit cards. (luckily nothing had been charged with any of the cards).

Now the necessary things have been taken care of, I know that I have to go and get a temp license and the thought of how in the world are we going to pay for anything has just set in. We had money set aside, but dont want to have a ton of cash with us, and we got paid in the middle of the trip and could use an ATM to get more if need be....not now.

Billie heads to the back with the kids, I head off to the DOT office. Now, many of you may be wondering if TSA takes Temp IDS....well, I wasnt worried about that because when Bill and I went to Vegas over Labor Day weekend, she had lost her ID right before the trip and had to do the same thing with no problems. It was just that it was SAturday morning and had to go sit at the DOT with a lot of other people. But, nevertheless, it was about an hour wait and I left with my paper Temp ID(with pretty good pic, I must say)

At the bank, they issue us each like a gift card with the max amont they can on each one and Bill gets some cash as well. All in all, it was less than what we were wanting to take, but at this point....its what he had to deal with, so be it.

This process takes about an hour, hour and a half and we are sooooo ready to get out of town and to Disney now. Finished up the little packing we needed to do, packed the truck(with ALL the suitcases this time), but maybe something was left with all the craziness of that morning....oh well...OFF TO KC!!

Thankfully this trip was very, very uneventful...made it there in a decent time. It was a nice place, I had to explain to front desk what had happened and that we would have to pay cash instead and he kept telling me how awful that was...several times while checking in.

Get up to the room, and todays main objective when we got there was to take CM to the airport to show him the airplanes taking off, landing, etc...Just to help alleviate any potential whats that questions. Dont want anything to surprise him on actual travel flight day.

Waiting for the airport shuttle

Flying his Southwest plane in the airport

Watching the planes loading, unloading bags..lots of questions here...which was great.

While we were at the airport, the girls decided to go to Target and pick up some things that they knew werent packed this morning. But on the way to Target, seemed to find her way to the Zona Rosa shopping complex in KC...how convenient....

A few more KC pics...

So, how will the flying day go? Did I get all the bags on the shuttle this time around? Can anything else possibly go wrong??

The following became quite the fun saying for us as we were on all the different transportation on property, and I will close with tonight...at every monorail stop, or bus stop, the automated message ended with...

"...and grab small children by the hand and proceed to the main entrance"

 

[DMGeurts]

OMG Mike - That is so horrible!!! I know how you feel about living in a small town, it's so easy to overlook things like that. I am glad you were able to get things straighened out before you left though - hopefully it continues to go OK.

I seriously love that picture of you and DW with your matching shirt on - those are great! What a perfect picture!

Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip - hopefully there will be no more surprises, but judging by your first post - this is just the beginning... ACK!

D~

 

[Lidian]

I'm here!

I can't believe someone stole your wallet! That's awful! I hope that everything went smoothly afterwards ... and whoever did it, hopefully they get caught! We live in a small town, too, and rarely lock our cars, as well.

Anxiously waiting to hear more!

Oh... and you're lucky you can get a temp license on a Saturday. Our center is only open 4 days a week -- Tuesday through Friday. They also have short hours, I think it's 9-4? Unless it's changed ... haven't been there in awhile.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Bummer about the wallet ! Glad it turned put ok though. Would have been much worse if you were flying THAT morning.

Hope it all goes smooth from here on out !!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I'm here Mike! Wow, I feel extremely lucky that we have never had any really big snafu's like forgotten luggage and stolen wallets....but I guess that makes your reports more exciting than mine!

Waiting to hear some great stories!

 

[mblc14]

QUOTE=DMGeurts;44426712]OMG Mike - That is so horrible!!! I know how you feel about living in a small town, it's so easy to overlook things like that. I am glad you were able to get things straighened out before you left though - hopefully it continues to go OK.

I seriously love that picture of you and DW with your matching shirt on - those are great! What a perfect picture!

Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip - hopefully there will be no more surprises, but judging by your first post - this is just the beginning... ACK!

D~[/QUOTE]
I love that pic too, and LG took it for us when we were waiting for our CP ressie...the park is awesome at that time when noone else is there!!

I'm here!

I can't believe someone stole your wallet! That's awful! I hope that everything went smoothly afterwards ... and whoever did it, hopefully they get caught! We live in a small town, too, and rarely lock our cars, as well.

Anxiously waiting to hear more!

Oh... and you're lucky you can get a temp license on a Saturday. Our center is only open 4 days a week -- Tuesday through Friday. They also have short hours, I think it's 9-4? Unless it's changed ... haven't been there in awhile.

I know, I cant even begin to think about what we would of done if the DOT wasnt open that morning...

Bummer about the wallet ! Glad it turned put ok though. Would have been much worse if you were flying THAT morning.

Hope it all goes smooth from here on out !!

Ugh...thankfully we planned that extra travel day in there...I guess someone was looking out for us. Could of been of much, much worse...we were still able to go and have a great time!!

I'm here Mike! Wow, I feel extremely lucky that we have never had any really big snafu's like forgotten luggage and stolen wallets....but I guess that makes your reports more exciting than mine!

Waiting to hear some great stories!

LOL...Im glad it all worked out and it does make the TR's more enjoyable, thats for sure

to all of you and thanks for coming along!! Thankfully, this was the worst that happened on the trip, and it happened before we even left!! We did have some minor issues, but NOTHING like what happened at the start...

 

[mblc14]

Sunday March 18th

The day had finally come...We were leaving for Disney, we would be there tonight...in MK...finally. We had survived the wallet incident. It was time for some fun!!

Plane left KC at 11:30 so again, no real rush for the morning as KC is not too busy of an airport....at least compared to MCO anyways. I think we packed up and headed down to wait for the hotel shuttle around 9 or so....

and headed over to the airport

Got the luggage checked in and boarding passes printed. Still a little bit flustered and concerned that the temp ID was going to be an issue at some point, just didnt no where or when it would happen.

The kids loved watching the luggage get scanned and just as we were getting ready to leave the Southwest area and grab a quick breakfast, the lady who gave us our boarding passes came over and asked if we had left our camera at her station...yep, sure did. Thank God she caught us, I never would of remembered where I left it. After that, the camera was put in my backpack and didnt come out til Florida. SO no more boring pics from the KC airport...lucky for you guys!!!

Quick breakfast was just that, quick and just good enough to get us some energy for the flight. Next up...TSA line, another step in the temp ID saga. This was no problem at all, she of course gave a quizzical look when I handed her the paper copy and I then had to explain it again and we got the that's awful response....again. Got through without a hitch, you know, other than having to using like 8 bins to put all of our stuff through the scanner...I always feel sorry fo the people behind us waiting for us to get the heck out of the way. And of course, just like last time, Billie was selected to go through the big scanner thing...too funny, happens just about everytime to her.

CM was getting super excited for his first flight. Well the first he could remember, he was only 6 months the first time. Not sure if anyone has flown SW or not, but their rows are split into groups of 3. Doesnt work out real good for a fam of 4. So it was decided that I would sit with CM an Bill would sit with LG because I seem to be a little bit more laidback and relaxing and would be able to calm CM down if he started to get anxious about the flight. We were just real unsure how he would react, he doesnt always handle things real well if he starts getting scared.

The plane was already getting fairly full, so I choose the very back, just in case there was a freak out by CM, there wouldnt be too many people that would see it....hear it, yes...but not sit and stare while it happened.

Now, for the flight. It's going to Orlando, so you know its a bunch of families with kids that are excited for Disney.(ok, and some excited Dads too!!!). The weather was a little overcast and little more windy than I would of liked...and Billie too(shes a little nervous about the flying...ssshhh). Takeoff was great, CM was asking questions the whole time...

"What are we doing now"
"Taxing out, driving to the runway"
"Where's the runway"
"lol...its coming up buddy. Thats where we go really fast and take off"
"how fast"
"lol...really fast"
etc, etc...

Finally we are up and climbing, and remember its now a little windy this morning, so as we are going up....we also drop down, then go back up....and sharply back down fighting through the wind. And with each drop, every kid and I mean EVERY kid shrieked with excitement like they were on a roller coaster and every parent gasped each time we dropped. I think it happened about 4 or 5 times and I remember about the 2nd time it was just a sharp, quick drop that I grabbed the seat in front of me just out of reaction and thought, I cannot take this for the next 2.5 hours and looked over and CM and he was just giggling so hard each time it happend. It sooo made me relax to see him thinking it was fun!! I know, it wasnt fun...but thank God he did!!!

It didnt take long for that to be over and all the adults got a kick out of the kids' reaction to the sudden drops, but the rest of the flight was literally uneventful. So proud of the kiddos on the flight.

Touched down at MCO, and proceeded to ME!! And this time, I didnt get lost at all!!

There was no checking in this time, just telling the CM at the start of the lines asking which resort and telling you which line to go to...and there was literally no line for us and we got to go straight to the bus!!

and a ME bus this time(last time it was a cruise line bus)

Cotemporary as the last stop after going to Poly, GF and then Wilderness. It was just us and one other Mom and her daughter, so check in wouldnt be too terribly bad. Besides, I had used the online checkin on Friday so I could go right to that too.

THis was yet another place of worry now...the temp ID thing and the renting of the points thing. The whole process was made very easy by the member who we were rening from. She answered every question I had, which were many, and was very helpful in getting us exactly what we wanted. It was still just that, Ive never done this before feel, what if something isnt right toughts...and after yesterday, I was just waiting for the "next" thing to happen that could alter the trip.

Check in went very smooth....no issues at all. WHEW!!! Dining plan was put on our KTTW cards with no problem, we requested as high as possible and got the 12th floor, which was amazing....now off to the room finally....and here it was. Room 8240.

What did the room, and view, look like???
Was Chef Mickey's has fun as last time?
And how long could we last at MK EMH til 3??

Thanks for reading!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

Great update Mike! I can't wait to see what your view looks like! I am so glad that your trip was uneventful regarding your ID issues.

D~

 

[Lidian]

I was honestly considering telling DH we could fly next year and sucking it up and being brave. Thank you for changing my mind. I love roller coasters ... but not sure I could handle one that's miles up in the sky.

So glad you had no issues with the temp ID!!!!! So glad everything is going smoothly! Can't wait to see your view and how much awesomeness you had on your trip!!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Sooo eternally grateful that our flight was not like that. My middle child is afraid of heights and was nervous to fly in the first place. Lucky for us that flights were smooth and I didn't have to tranquilize her.

My DH has flown and worked on airplanes for years. He and I once went to the Bahamas in a small plane. When we hit terrible turbulance he threw his hands up in the air laughing like it WAS a roller coaster. I dug my fingernails into a death grip on his arms. NO, it is not like a roller coaster....there are no rails underneath!

Waiting patiently to see your room and your view...

 

[Lidian]

Sooo eternally grateful that our flight was not like that. My middle child is afraid of heights and was nervous to fly in the first place. Lucky for us that flights were smooth and I didn't have to tranquilize her.

My DH has flown and worked on airplanes for years. He and I once went to the Bahamas in a small plane. When we hit terrible turbulance he threw his hands up in the air laughing like it WAS a roller coaster. I dug my fingernails into a death grip on his arms. NO, it is not like a roller coaster....there are no rails underneath! Waiting patiently to see your room and your view...

THIS. ALL THIS! This is why I'm terrified to fly, and have been scared off again.

 

[mblc14]

Great update Mike! I can't wait to see what your view looks like! I am so glad that your trip was uneventful regarding your ID issues.

D~

I am sooo missing that view every night now...and the ID issues are behind us...for now

I was honestly considering telling DH we could fly next year and sucking it up and being brave. Thank you for changing my mind. I love roller coasters ... but not sure I could handle one that's miles up in the sky.

So glad you had no issues with the temp ID!!!!! So glad everything is going smoothly! Can't wait to see your view and how much awesomeness you had on your trip!!

I used to be an awful flyer, but I just keep convincing myself that its ok, and the best way to get there so we can spend more time there...and the ironic thing is, I HATE roller coasters...dont do them at all. I am the biggest wimp on the them. I really want to try one with the kids and convince myself it will be fine and then just lock up when Im actually getting ready to ride it.

So, it sounds like we are complete opposite when it comes to planes and roller coasters!!!

Sooo eternally grateful that our flight was not like that. My middle child is afraid of heights and was nervous to fly in the first place. Lucky for us that flights were smooth and I didn't have to tranquilize her.

My DH has flown and worked on airplanes for years. He and I once went to the Bahamas in a small plane. When we hit terrible turbulance he threw his hands up in the air laughing like it WAS a roller coaster. I dug my fingernails into a death grip on his arms. NO, it is not like a roller coaster....there are no rails underneath!

Waiting patiently to see your room and your view...

Oh, we drugged them. CM fell asleep there and back. Used the Kids Benedryl. Not sure that they needed it all, but Bill wanted to make sure they had something to make them relax.

Not sure I could ever be a frequent flyer at all, I tolerate it at best...hate looking out the window and seeing the wings bounce around....

THIS. ALL THIS! This is why I'm terrified to fly, and have been scared off again.

How many times have you flown?? Was it a bad experience or just the thought??

 

[mblc14]

Is this thing ever going to get to page 2!!!???!!!

 

[Lidian]

I am sooo missing that view every night now...and the ID issues are behind us...for now

I used to be an awful flyer, but I just keep convincing myself that its ok, and the best way to get there so we can spend more time there...and the ironic thing is, I HATE roller coasters...dont do them at all. I am the biggest wimp on the them. I really want to try one with the kids and convince myself it will be fine and then just lock up when Im actually getting ready to ride it.

So, it sounds like we are complete opposite when it comes to planes and roller coasters!!!

Honestly, my DH is the same way. He's flown lots (he has flown from CA to TN and he's even flown overseas when he was in the AF). Flying doesn't phase him at all. However, if you put him in front of a roller coaster, he gets weak in the knees. And I don't mean in line for one ... I mean to make him stand there and watch one.

That said, he did ride Barnstormer (pre-FL-expansion) and BTMRR and survived. He would willingly go on Barnstormer again, but would have to be coaxed into BTMRR (ie, DS would have to beg him).

I, on the other hand, LOVE roller coasters. The bigger, scarier, faster ... the better! Bring on those inversions! Don't get me wrong, I do worry and panic in line and get anxious. I know that this isn't a perfect world, and something could happen while on a roller coaster. I also know the odds are in my favor. And that goes for coasters AND planes. The odds are so slim something would happen ... but I can't bring myself to take that chance with a plane.

IF ... IF DH ever told me we were flying, I'd HAVE to get some happy pills from my doctor first. There's NO WAY. I'd be so nervous, we'd never make it through security.

Maybe one day I'll fly ... and maybe one day you'll ride a coaster! I do recommend starting out small (Barnstormer sized with a low height requirement). Those have a slight thrill, but not intense! THey don't pull 8924614839104 Gs on your body. If you can handle something like Barnstormer, then try BTMRR. If you prefer to see where you're going, sit in the front. If you'd rather not, sit in the middle. Sit in the back if you're all about the WEEEEEEEEEEE factor with your arms in the air. I would never allow my DH to sit in the back of a coaster. That said, I'd never allow my DH to ride something like The Hulk at IoA if he wasn't happy with BTMRR. Unless I was mad at him.

So that's my advise ... start out small and work your way up!

How many times have you flown?? Was it a bad experience or just the thought??

Zero times. Wait, I take that back. When I was in High School ... a week or two ago. I was in ROTC. The Colonel took a class bet on who would have "issues" on the plane (scared, sick, whatever). Everyone put their "money" on me (it wasn't for actual cash). I was fine. I was bouncing around the plane, having fun. Looking out the windows. I was even down in the boomer area thing. I dunno what it's called anymore. It was a cargo type plane I think? They had this window area in the floor that you can stand in (standing on glass) and control this long arm thing. There was a pilot down there talking about it. I sat down there and looked DOWN. I was fine. We went out over the ocean, too. It was a 3 or 4 hour flight. Everyone was shocked. However, our class leader guy (I don't remember his official "class" title) was sitting near the pilot with a "baggie" and rocking back and forth begging to land. He was terrified. (The bag was just in case he worried himself ill, not that he was queasy.) This is the guy that wanted to go into the AF.

Some people will surprise you.

That said ... that was a "week or two" ago (never mind that our 10 year reunion was several years ago). I couldn't get on that plane and go into that glass area if I was paid.

 

[Lidian]

Lalalala ... trying to move this to page two....

 

[Lidian]

Bumpity-bump ... are we there yet?

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Yep- you got him to page 2 Liddy!

 

[Lidian]

<~~~ WINNER!

Pending I don't get reported for spam.

 

[DMGeurts]

It's about time you guys got him to page 2... Better watch out though - he got mad at us for being too talky in my TR, and not being able to keep up... Don't want him to lose track of his own TR now. ROFL

D~ <--- Sorry Mike - coudn't resist.

 

[mblc14]

Thanks for the help ladies....much obliged...I never thought I would be able to have 2 posts on one page with some responses...lol

No problem D, I know you're teasing, it's all fun on the boards.