jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
I will post some as I go along.
I was antsy. It's only been about a month since I have written one. LOL
You can take the girl out of Disney, BUT
- Thread starter jenseib
- Start date
I will post some as I go along.
I was antsy. It's only been about a month since I have written one. LOL
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
March 26, 2012. Monday
The day had arrived. I slept pretty decent and got up at the crack of dawn…..but I normally get up early anyways.
I started out with a little computer time and sending out those last minute emails.
I then started packing all the last minute stuff. At 8 AM I see a bouncy little girl emerge from her room shouting that she was too “esscited” to sleep. Claire never gets up this early on her own. Each school morning is a ritual of basically dragging her out of bed and dressing her while she flops around. Today she was in high gear and wanted to get dressed and just leave.
Soon the chanting began. “Is it time to go yet?” over and over….then on to “let’s leave now, let’s leave now”. It got old real fast.
We did make it to the bank, I got a shower and she got a bath and hair wash. She took extra time to be sure she was nice and clean for Florida.
Around 3:30 or so, we dressed in our traveling clothes, and Skip came in to shower. We gave a once over and at 4:15 my Mother arrived to take us to the airport. It was kind of funny, because earlier in the day my Mom had called and talked about which car to take to the airport. She hates my car…because it isn’t new, and she worried my car wouldn’t make it. I was like what? We are only going to Toledo airport…that’s only like 12 minutes away.
She had thought we were going up to Detroit. I bet she was relieved to have a much shorter drive.
Since Mom came early, and we got her car loaded within minutes, we actually left for the airport a head of schedule.
We unloaded, said our goodbyes and got in the check in line.
Not long after we arrived I heard Skip talking to someone. It was my friend Jenny. She, her son and her boyfriend were also going to Florida on the same flight. I had totally forgotten that she was going. She had told me a few months back asking me some Disney questions since she know we go frequently. They were staying with friends in the area and doing some local stuff.
We checked in easily and said goodbye to our bags and turned around to see Skip’s sister Dee Dee. She works for Hertz at the airport and she was helping a client who had a wheel chair.
We said hellos and good byes to her and made our way to security. A few days prior to leaving, Claire had asked if she had to take her shoes off again and why. I told her probably, but we did find out kids 12 and under no longer have to do this, and I told her the why….because they check for bombs….then I told her NEVER to say the word bomb at the airport or they will strip search you. LOL! So she kept saying bomb, bomb, bomb over and over at home to get it out of her system. I prayed she wouldn't say it now, and all was good and we cruised right through.
Skip was worried because this was his first time traveling since his hip replacement and he showed his card out and they didn’t seem to care. He went through the body scanner without a hitch. (We were told they are not metal detectors and won’t go off). Claire and I went through the old detectors though.
We gathered our things and up to our gate to wait. Toledo only has a couple of gates, so you basically can wait anywhere and still see your gate.
I pulled out the new kindle and realized that Toledo now has free wifi and played around with that.
Of course we had to take a few pictures.
I took a few of another plane outside.
We decided we should get something to eat. The choices are just awful at Toledo airport. Basically cardboard pizza or subway. Claire chose the pizza, which was a little better this time around.
Skip and I share a subway tuna.
Claire and I made a bathroom stop. I love the bathroom here, it is so pretty, but I feel weird taking pictures in there. I did snap this one of Claire washing her hands. The sinks are very unusual. Toledo is the glass city, so I guess that is the theming of this bathroom.
We finally spotted my friend Jenny and gang. I think they might’ve gone to the bar downstairs while waiting. We talked a bit and found out they were flying the same flight home as well.
Before we knew it the Allegiant plane arrived and I snapped a few quick pictures of it coming to the gate.
I told Skip to go to the bathroom and he said he didn’t have to. He does this every time and then as soon as they start boarding he runs to the bathroom. Sure enough, he did it this time too. That drives me nuts. Claire asked what were we going to do and I said he had 30 seconds and if he wasn’t out, we were boarding without him!
No worries, he made it!
We got settled into our seats and waited to take off.
My phone wouldn’t shut off for some reason. It kept cycling in shut down mode. I haven’t turn the phone off in several months, so I’m not sure what was up with it. I finally just opened the back and pulled the battery out.
The flight was good and smooth. Claire liked watching the sunset out the window. Being on the end, I couldn’t see much of anything. Of course we had to make a bathroom run on the plane. These things are not made for 2 people, no matter how small the second person is. And let’s just say YUCK!
I handed Skip the tip sheets I had made for him to read while on the plane. One tip is that Richters burgers gets bad reviews and you should avoid going there. Skip thought it was awful that I wrote that. He said he was going to eat there and prove me wrong. He never did, but it was a little joke all through the trip.
We landed about 15 minutes early and our bags came rolling out fast as well. Skip went to get the car and he seemed to take forever. We had a good rate through Hertz from his sister, but I found out he fell for the “you need insurance” line. UGH! I tell him over and over not to get it. They were out of cars too, but they borrowed one from someone else.
While Claire and I waited, we saw Jenny and gang once again and said our good byes and have funs.
Skip led the way out to the row he remembered the car to be in and that’s it. He couldn’t remember the make, model or color. He kept hitting the panic button on the fob and nothing lit up or sounded an alarm. I was a little annoyed that he couldn’t remember what we were getting.
Finally he said he thought it was an Altima and it was silver and we had been standing next to one the whole time. I tried opening the trunk, but it wouldn’t work. I opened the door and started it, so that worked. We finally realized you needed to press a button on the trunk to get it to open. This car caused problems like this throughout the trip. You needed step by step directions to get the thing open.
And we’re off! Of course that sounds easy, but Skip didn’t like the directions I was giving him, so he would argue a bit, but finally he realized I was right.
As we rode along, Skip loves to read road and town signs and turn them into dirty words. Yep, we have nothing but class! Soon we ran out of good names and Skip decided it was time to sing different lyrics to the songs on the radio. I have to admit, it was pretty darn funny.
We made a stop at a carry out for a pop and went back on our way.
Claire was worried about food. She said she missed supper and we were supposed to eat at the airport. I told her we did, but she had thought we would ALSO eat at Sanford. I told her we had snacks packed and she could have something as soon as we got to the hotel.
We did get a little lost. Not bad, but the road we were to turn on did not have a sign so we cruised right by it. Finally we got our bearings and found it and checked in quickly.
We stayed at the Quality Inn. This has just changed hands. It was formally a Fairfield Inn. They are in the process of renovating it.
Our room was decent, a nice size, and good for what we needed it for.
This was the view out the window.
I unpacked a bit and found one thing I wasn’t too happy about. The drawers had that shut up/no air smell. They were in need of a stick up thingy. My other complaint of the room was that the heavy drapes did not close any further. So we had lights from those tower things all night long and some noise from that area as well. Why on earth they wouldn’t make it so the curtains could shut all the way was beyond me? There were just shears covering that area.
The towers though were a lifesaver. I think it was some sort of bungee shoot thing. When driving back to the hotel each day, we would just look for the towers to know we were heading in the right direction.
The day had arrived. I slept pretty decent and got up at the crack of dawn…..but I normally get up early anyways.
I started out with a little computer time and sending out those last minute emails.
I then started packing all the last minute stuff. At 8 AM I see a bouncy little girl emerge from her room shouting that she was too “esscited” to sleep. Claire never gets up this early on her own. Each school morning is a ritual of basically dragging her out of bed and dressing her while she flops around. Today she was in high gear and wanted to get dressed and just leave.
Soon the chanting began. “Is it time to go yet?” over and over….then on to “let’s leave now, let’s leave now”. It got old real fast.
We did make it to the bank, I got a shower and she got a bath and hair wash. She took extra time to be sure she was nice and clean for Florida.
Around 3:30 or so, we dressed in our traveling clothes, and Skip came in to shower. We gave a once over and at 4:15 my Mother arrived to take us to the airport. It was kind of funny, because earlier in the day my Mom had called and talked about which car to take to the airport. She hates my car…because it isn’t new, and she worried my car wouldn’t make it. I was like what? We are only going to Toledo airport…that’s only like 12 minutes away.
She had thought we were going up to Detroit. I bet she was relieved to have a much shorter drive.
Since Mom came early, and we got her car loaded within minutes, we actually left for the airport a head of schedule.
We unloaded, said our goodbyes and got in the check in line.
Not long after we arrived I heard Skip talking to someone. It was my friend Jenny. She, her son and her boyfriend were also going to Florida on the same flight. I had totally forgotten that she was going. She had told me a few months back asking me some Disney questions since she know we go frequently. They were staying with friends in the area and doing some local stuff.
We checked in easily and said goodbye to our bags and turned around to see Skip’s sister Dee Dee. She works for Hertz at the airport and she was helping a client who had a wheel chair.
We said hellos and good byes to her and made our way to security. A few days prior to leaving, Claire had asked if she had to take her shoes off again and why. I told her probably, but we did find out kids 12 and under no longer have to do this, and I told her the why….because they check for bombs….then I told her NEVER to say the word bomb at the airport or they will strip search you. LOL! So she kept saying bomb, bomb, bomb over and over at home to get it out of her system. I prayed she wouldn't say it now, and all was good and we cruised right through.
Skip was worried because this was his first time traveling since his hip replacement and he showed his card out and they didn’t seem to care. He went through the body scanner without a hitch. (We were told they are not metal detectors and won’t go off). Claire and I went through the old detectors though.
We gathered our things and up to our gate to wait. Toledo only has a couple of gates, so you basically can wait anywhere and still see your gate.
I pulled out the new kindle and realized that Toledo now has free wifi and played around with that.
Of course we had to take a few pictures.
I took a few of another plane outside.
We decided we should get something to eat. The choices are just awful at Toledo airport. Basically cardboard pizza or subway. Claire chose the pizza, which was a little better this time around.
Skip and I share a subway tuna.
Claire and I made a bathroom stop. I love the bathroom here, it is so pretty, but I feel weird taking pictures in there. I did snap this one of Claire washing her hands. The sinks are very unusual. Toledo is the glass city, so I guess that is the theming of this bathroom.
We finally spotted my friend Jenny and gang. I think they might’ve gone to the bar downstairs while waiting. We talked a bit and found out they were flying the same flight home as well.
Before we knew it the Allegiant plane arrived and I snapped a few quick pictures of it coming to the gate.
I told Skip to go to the bathroom and he said he didn’t have to. He does this every time and then as soon as they start boarding he runs to the bathroom. Sure enough, he did it this time too. That drives me nuts. Claire asked what were we going to do and I said he had 30 seconds and if he wasn’t out, we were boarding without him!
No worries, he made it!
We got settled into our seats and waited to take off.
My phone wouldn’t shut off for some reason. It kept cycling in shut down mode. I haven’t turn the phone off in several months, so I’m not sure what was up with it. I finally just opened the back and pulled the battery out.
The flight was good and smooth. Claire liked watching the sunset out the window. Being on the end, I couldn’t see much of anything. Of course we had to make a bathroom run on the plane. These things are not made for 2 people, no matter how small the second person is. And let’s just say YUCK!
I handed Skip the tip sheets I had made for him to read while on the plane. One tip is that Richters burgers gets bad reviews and you should avoid going there. Skip thought it was awful that I wrote that. He said he was going to eat there and prove me wrong. He never did, but it was a little joke all through the trip.
We landed about 15 minutes early and our bags came rolling out fast as well. Skip went to get the car and he seemed to take forever. We had a good rate through Hertz from his sister, but I found out he fell for the “you need insurance” line. UGH! I tell him over and over not to get it. They were out of cars too, but they borrowed one from someone else.
While Claire and I waited, we saw Jenny and gang once again and said our good byes and have funs.
Skip led the way out to the row he remembered the car to be in and that’s it. He couldn’t remember the make, model or color. He kept hitting the panic button on the fob and nothing lit up or sounded an alarm. I was a little annoyed that he couldn’t remember what we were getting.
Finally he said he thought it was an Altima and it was silver and we had been standing next to one the whole time. I tried opening the trunk, but it wouldn’t work. I opened the door and started it, so that worked. We finally realized you needed to press a button on the trunk to get it to open. This car caused problems like this throughout the trip. You needed step by step directions to get the thing open.
And we’re off! Of course that sounds easy, but Skip didn’t like the directions I was giving him, so he would argue a bit, but finally he realized I was right.
As we rode along, Skip loves to read road and town signs and turn them into dirty words. Yep, we have nothing but class! Soon we ran out of good names and Skip decided it was time to sing different lyrics to the songs on the radio. I have to admit, it was pretty darn funny.
We made a stop at a carry out for a pop and went back on our way.
Claire was worried about food. She said she missed supper and we were supposed to eat at the airport. I told her we did, but she had thought we would ALSO eat at Sanford. I told her we had snacks packed and she could have something as soon as we got to the hotel.
We did get a little lost. Not bad, but the road we were to turn on did not have a sign so we cruised right by it. Finally we got our bearings and found it and checked in quickly.
We stayed at the Quality Inn. This has just changed hands. It was formally a Fairfield Inn. They are in the process of renovating it.
Our room was decent, a nice size, and good for what we needed it for.
This was the view out the window.
I unpacked a bit and found one thing I wasn’t too happy about. The drawers had that shut up/no air smell. They were in need of a stick up thingy. My other complaint of the room was that the heavy drapes did not close any further. So we had lights from those tower things all night long and some noise from that area as well. Why on earth they wouldn’t make it so the curtains could shut all the way was beyond me? There were just shears covering that area.
The towers though were a lifesaver. I think it was some sort of bungee shoot thing. When driving back to the hotel each day, we would just look for the towers to know we were heading in the right direction.
mom2rtk
Invented the term "Characterpalooza"
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2008
Hey, there's nothing wrong with cardboard pizza..... as long as it's AIRPORT cardboard pizza! 
Cuz that means you're on your way!!!!
So did Skip make fun of you taking pictures of the bathrooms????
I'd be pretty annoyed too about the curtains not shutting all the way. That's pretty short sighted. Unless their goal was to get everyone checked out early every day......
Cuz that means you're on your way!!!!So did Skip make fun of you taking pictures of the bathrooms????
I'd be pretty annoyed too about the curtains not shutting all the way. That's pretty short sighted. Unless their goal was to get everyone checked out early every day......
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
Hey, there's nothing wrong with cardboard pizza..... as long as it's AIRPORT cardboard pizza!
So did Skip make fun of you taking pictures of the bathrooms????
I'd be pretty annoyed too about the curtains not shutting all the way. That's pretty short sighted. Unless their goal was to get everyone checked out early every day......
Thats true. Claire liked it anyways. It was much better than last years, which she even didn't want to eat.
Skip doesn't know I took that bathroom picture.
He would just roll his eyes though.My biggest complaint was the curtain set up. I like it dark. Skip said he swore it got lighter in the middle of the night too.
stephielela
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2009
I'm here!! Skip sounds pretty entertaining! 
NWOhioAngela
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2005
Skip doesn't know I took that bathroom picture.
But it IS a really pretty bathroom!
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
I'm here!! Skip sounds pretty entertaining!
He thinks he's a real clown all the time. No one is as funny as him....in his mind!
You are right! It is really pretty!
dizneeat
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2006
Great start to your trip report! I love that Claire was so anxious to leave. 
for flights being on time and I just pictured you looking for he car and standing right next to it!
Your hotel looks pretty nice, sorry for the "non closing" drapes though. Can't wait for more!
for flights being on time and I just pictured you looking for he car and standing right next to it! Your hotel looks pretty nice, sorry for the "non closing" drapes though. Can't wait for more!
always pack a couple of clothespins when you travel.
i usually have to clip the curtains/drapes together to keep the light at when i am at the motherland resorts.
i can't sleep in a room when light shines into it.
i never go there without the clothespins.
i usually have to clip the curtains/drapes together to keep the light at when i am at the motherland resorts.
i can't sleep in a room when light shines into it.
i never go there without the clothespins.
NikkiLovesWDW!
"Are you seeing an increase in lateral forces?" "S
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2006
Caretames1
Mom of Girls
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
When will these men all realize, we are always right!
Sounds like you have one heck of a departure day! Dirty street names and all!
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
Subbing! Hi Jen!
I love Claire's park clothes. My daughter is "over" dressing up to go to the parks. She doesn't let me have any fun whatsoever anymore.
Welcome! I hope I keep Claire at this stage for a while longer. I love it just as much as she does.
Great start to your trip report! I love that Claire was so anxious to leave.
Your hotel looks pretty nice, sorry for the "non closing" drapes though. Can't wait for more!
It was probably pretty comical to anyone watching us.
I just couldn't believe he didn't pay attention and remember.I actually had clothepins with us. But these were like 4 feet or more apart. I guess I could've tried it to block at least some of it.
I love Skip!
When will these men all realize, we are always right!
Sounds like you have one heck of a departure day! Dirty street names and all!
Exactly!!
Wicket's Mom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2009
I take safety pins, that way I can use the bedspread or a blanket to cover the gap.
francis6306
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 18, 2010
Yeah
me and my total lack of paying attention to the fact that you were going on vacation! Glad I finally found your TR! I kept looking on the other TR page- but DUH
you went to US!
I never unpack my clothes in a hotel. Although, I might try it this time, since I will have the girls with me. Pray that it cuts down on the mess in the room!
I never unpack my clothes in a hotel. Although, I might try it this time, since I will have the girls with me. Pray that it cuts down on the mess in the room!
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
Another good idea!
Yeah me and my total lack of paying attention to the fact that you were going on vacation! Glad I finally found your TR! I kept looking on the other TR page- but DUH you went to US!
I never unpack my clothes in a hotel. Although, I might try it this time, since I will have the girls with me. Pray that it cuts down on the mess in the room!
Don't worry about it. I can't keep up with things either.
I really like to unpack Skips things so he just can go to his drawer and pull things out and not throw everything from the suitcase on the ground looking for things!
I usually do for Claire too, but I didn't this time.
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
Claire and I decided to take a quick tour of the hotel. The pool closed at 11 and I had given her an option to take a quick swim and she said she didnt want to. I shouldve made her put her swimsuit on though
just in case she changed her mind
because she DID!
As soon as Claire saw the pool she wanted to swim. By this time it was very close to 11 and there was just no way to get changed fast enough and make it back down. I did promise her some swim time for tomorrow though.
Views from the pool area.
We moved on the breakfast area. It was dark so I only took a few shots and kept moving.
Going back towards the front desk (which I dont think I ever took a picture of).
And it was time to head back to the room.
Claire liked to be the official door opener.
We got ready for bed and watched a little TV. I connected to the hotels free wifi on my kindle and facebooked a bit and then we all called it a night. The room has 2 double beds, so I slept in 1 and Skip in the other and we gave Claire the choice to sleep with either of us. She chose Skip! Score for me!!!!
Claire is awful to sleep with. She is a totally bed hog and she likes to snuggle up to you. No matter how much you move her over, she shimmies right back like an eel.
I know it took me a while to fall asleep. The light was bugging me and we could hear cheering off in the distance too. The last time I looked at the clock it was 12:15, and I think it probably took another 15 minutes to fall asleep after that.
I also had a lot of the pre-vacation dreams that night. Like we woke up late, lost our tickets, or everyone decided just to go home and not do anything. I always have weird dreams like that when I travel. So needless to say, that nights sleep was not sound, but the bed was comfy at least.
Our first day was already over!
As soon as Claire saw the pool she wanted to swim. By this time it was very close to 11 and there was just no way to get changed fast enough and make it back down. I did promise her some swim time for tomorrow though.
Views from the pool area.
We moved on the breakfast area. It was dark so I only took a few shots and kept moving.
Going back towards the front desk (which I dont think I ever took a picture of).
And it was time to head back to the room.
Claire liked to be the official door opener.
We got ready for bed and watched a little TV. I connected to the hotels free wifi on my kindle and facebooked a bit and then we all called it a night. The room has 2 double beds, so I slept in 1 and Skip in the other and we gave Claire the choice to sleep with either of us. She chose Skip! Score for me!!!!
Claire is awful to sleep with. She is a totally bed hog and she likes to snuggle up to you. No matter how much you move her over, she shimmies right back like an eel.
I know it took me a while to fall asleep. The light was bugging me and we could hear cheering off in the distance too. The last time I looked at the clock it was 12:15, and I think it probably took another 15 minutes to fall asleep after that.
I also had a lot of the pre-vacation dreams that night. Like we woke up late, lost our tickets, or everyone decided just to go home and not do anything. I always have weird dreams like that when I travel. So needless to say, that nights sleep was not sound, but the bed was comfy at least.
Our first day was already over!
francis6306
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 18, 2010
I have those vacation dreams too! But it always seems to go smoothly after that!!
annmarieda
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2010
I haven't rented a car in a while... but last time we did, I remember having a similar thing happen. Hard to find and then hard to figure out how to operate. You would think that features in a rental car would all be standard 
Your hotel looks very clean and comfy. And the room is so big! I think I tend to forget that rooms at WDW tend to be on the small side.
Too funny that Claire wanted to swim after all. Isn't that just how kids are?!
Your hotel looks very clean and comfy. And the room is so big! I think I tend to forget that rooms at WDW tend to be on the small side.
Too funny that Claire wanted to swim after all. Isn't that just how kids are?!
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