This is the last trip the 4 of us ever take to WDW. Nov 2-12 *FinalUpdate 3/19* Pg.59

[blessedmom4]

Page 3 but I am here to stay hopelessly behind...but here none-the less! And Nobody told me you had started either (Lisa...). Forgotten again...

 

[mommy2mrb]

Page 3 but I am here to stay hopelessly behind...but here none-the less! And Nobody told me you had started either (Lisa...). Forgotten again...

sorry Judy

 

[that's nice]

So joining in! Christopher is so cute as Woody and luvin Ana's bee outfit!

yeah *cough cough links in my sig cough cough*

I'm a slacker. I will try.

Joining in!!!! I have a guess as to why this is the last trip with the 4 of you....

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

Thanks for stopping in!

Leaving in less than four days. Or are you planning on doing what you always do? An update AFTER I'm gone.

This wouldn't be a Tim report if I didn't do that.

I'm here!!! Love the pictures of the kids!

Hey Brook!

Thank you!!!

Page 3 but I am here to stay hopelessly behind...but here none-the less! And Nobody told me you had started either (Lisa...). Forgotten again...

No worries... with the track record of my updates, you won't be that far behind.

sorry Judy

 

[that's nice]

Backstory

I mentioned in the intro's how we had this epic trip planned with two other families and they both had to back out. One family's furnace blew up and the other family finally sold their house in Indiana and was moving back to CT the week before the trip.

Melody & I debated canceling the trip all together but decided we HAD to go! After doing tons of research, the group originally booked POFQ. After our friends canceled Disney came out with a room only deal that wasn't offered at POFQ. We wanted to stay moderate this time and CSR was on the discount list. We have stayed at CSR before and Melody isn't too crazy about that resort but we made the change and saved just over $400 in the process... not too bad. The only downside was we would have to switch to POP Century for the last night because CSR was all booked up. I wasn't worried as we have added nights at check-in before. The same thing will happen this trip, i just knew it.

After the friends canceled the thought popped into my head to invite my mom. We were thinking of heading back to Disney over Juliana's spring break and asking my mom to go. She has seen hundreds of pictures of our trips and she has said on a few occasions that she has wanted to go with us. So 4 weeks before we left I ask her if she wants to go. She was surprised we asked and said yes. My mom scrambled to get her itinerary planned. She had a wedding the night we were leaving (11/2) so she was going to come the day after us, and she had to be back home in time for work the next Monday (11/12) so she was going to leave on Sunday.




The night before we leave...

Melody worked until 7:00pm on Thursday. It was great she got some hours in. It wasn't good that a stressful packing bootcamp commenced once we got the kids to bed at 8pm. We had gotten the kids bags together during the week but the forecast changed. They were calling for cooler weather. (Whoever 'they' is needs to get a new job) We repacked the kids suitcases and then moved on to ours. I think we were done around 11pm. Melody was shot and went to bed. I got my carryon together and I even remembered the tickets I had bought from Undercover Tourist! There was going to be no repeat of the Great ticket disaster of 2009. After I was packed I was on the DIS till close to 1:00am. I still needed to take a shower and get to sleep. The alarm was going to be going off at 3:30!


D-Day

3:30 came quick. 2 hours a sleep wasn't going to cut it. Good thing I had Disney adrenaline on my side. I brought the suitcases out to the car, threw some last minute things together, and shut off the heat. We woke up Juliana and got her dressed. While we were getting Christopher up, Juliana puled off the last Mickey head on our countdown calendar and I didn't get a picture. We kept Christopher in his PJs. We figured he would just pass out in the car on the way to the airport. We loaded ourselves in the car and we were off.

We made it to the airport in 35 minutes... nice when there are no car on the road. Christopher must of had some of that Disney adrenaline too because he didn't pass out in the car. I dropped Melody off at the terminal with the bags and I brought the car to the lot. I hopped on the shuttle bus and met back up with them. The lines for Southwest were a little long but were moving quickly. Security was a breeze and before long we were walking towards the gate. Christopher seemed to know the way.

Juliana had to play with the umbrellas...

We boarded during family boarding and we were leaving on time. We even got to watch the sunrise.

The 3 hour flight was, well, a three hour flight. We thought the kids would pass out. Ummm, yeah. Not happening. This is what we look like when we landed.

Juliana was excited. Christopher was tired. And Melody wanted off that plane.

Hey Bubba, we're in Florida!

We flew into Tampa because the prices were better..

We took a ride on the fake monorail and headed to the baggage claim. Perry help locate the luggage.

Ah yes, there is our luggage. I needed a cart to get it to the rental area.

We don't travel light. After the luggage was located it was time to use the bathroom and get Christopher changed.

We grabbed the truck and we were off but our first stop wasn't Disney... we took a detour!





Up next.. looking for a STAR & a character nightmare

 

[KatMark]

an update BEFORE I get on my plane in three days (yes, I'm leaving in three days).

I love Christopher in his pajamas...and so wide awake and ready to go. And Juliana always looks raring to go...you would never know she just got up.

I remember texting back and forth with you about the Coronado while you were trying to get your luggage, give me your confirmation number, Mel trying to get it for you, etc.

You don't travel light, do you? My oh my...hope you got a BIG truck.

 

[jedijill]

And they are off! Sounds like a great start!

Jill in CO

 

[tinkgurl]

Of course that's what they looked like when you landed! You're going to WDW! But really...too bad they didn't take a nap!

 

[mommy2mrb]

an update

bummer the kids didn't sleep on the plane, but the sunrise is very pretty!

the kids look very cute holding hands at the airport!!!

wow that's a lot of luggage, don't miss the days for bringing the car set and pack-n-play!

 

[mommy2mrb]

FYI started my PTR

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3028844

 

[jenseib]

I would say thats a lot off luggage, but Claire and I had that much too and neither of us needs a pack in play or car seat.

 

[petals]

yay you're in Florida. Christopher looks wide awake in those pics. Juliana looks so grown up with the shorter hair.

 

[that's nice]

an update BEFORE I get on my plane in three days (yes, I'm leaving in three days).

I did it for you!

I love Christopher in his pajamas...and so wide awake and ready to go. And Juliana always looks raring to go...you would never know she just got up.

Christopher would be happy wearing PJs all day.

I remember texting back and forth with you about the Coronado while you were trying to get your luggage, give me your confirmation number, Mel trying to get it for you, etc.

Thanks for reminding me! I'll mention that in the next update.

You don't travel light, do you? My oh my...hope you got a BIG truck.

Nope. You can't see all the carryons on the stroller- Mel's purse, diaper bag, my computer case, Juliana's bag... UGH!

And they are off! Sounds like a great start!

Jill in CO

Thanks!

Of course that's what they looked like when you landed! You're going to WDW! But really...too bad they didn't take a nap!

HAHA!!!! Like they were going to look different.. .

A 3 hour nap would of been key.

an update

bummer the kids didn't sleep on the plane, but the sunrise is very pretty!

I think everyone was excited. I tried to shut my eyes but Christopher wouldn't sit still and I had to help contain him.

wow that's a lot of luggage, don't miss the days for bringing the car set and pack-n-play!

Yea, tell me about it.

FYI started my PTR

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3028844

There!

 

[that's nice]

I would say thats a lot off luggage, but Claire and I had that much too and neither of us needs a pack in play or car seat.

So you pack like Melody then huh?

yay you're in Florida. Christopher looks wide awake in those pics. Juliana looks so grown up with the shorter hair.

Her hair has grown so much since she chopped it off in the summer. It's getting back to a normal length now.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I mentioned in the intro's how we had this epic trip planned with two other families and they both had to back out. One family's furnace blew up and the other family finally sold their house in Indiana and was moving back to CT the week before the trip.

Melody & I debated canceling the trip all together but decided we HAD to go!

Good call! Gotta have priorities.

I got my carryon together and I even remembered the tickets I had bought from Undercover Tourist! There was going to be no repeat of the Great ticket disaster of 2009.

Another good move! Tickets are the only essential anyway. You can buy clothes down there. They'll cost you a 2nd mortgage, but still.

After I was packed I was on the DIS till close to 1:00am. I still needed to take a shower and get to sleep. The alarm was going to be going off at 3:30!


3:30 came quick. 2 hours a sleep wasn't going to cut it.

Dude, sounds like you brought that on yourself.

We kept Christopher in his PJs. We figured he would just pass out in the car on the way to the airport.

Sounds like famous last words.

He's giving you a first down.

We grabbed the truck and we were off but our first stop wasn't Disney... we took a detour!

 

[glennbo123]

Melody & I debated canceling the trip all together but decided we HAD to go!

Okay, whew, that was close....that would've made for a mighty short trip report!

After the friends canceled the thought popped into my head to invite my mom. We were thinking of heading back to Disney over Juliana's spring break and asking my mom to go. She has seen hundreds of pictures of our trips and she has said on a few occasions that she has wanted to go with us. So 4 weeks before we left I ask her if she wants to go. She was surprised we asked and said yes.

for more company!

They were calling for cooler weather. (Whoever 'they' is needs to get a new job)

Agreed. I think "they" started their career-path in the fast food business, according to Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon 2.

We took a ride on the fake monorail and headed to the baggage claim. Perry help locate the luggage.

♪ ♪ ♫ Per-ry! ♪ ♪ ♫

We don't travel light.

Well Melody does, with that little pink carry-on. But you my friend, are apparently out of control!


Looking forward to more.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

isnt it a hitch in the plans when yo uthink they will knock out on the plan to have them wide awake and trying to keep them happy going 500+ 5 miles up.

been there done that, even tried scheduled the flight during nap time, nope no dice.


your luggage doesnt seem to bad, looks normal to me.

 

[that's nice]

Good call! Gotta have priorities.

Another good move! Tickets are the only essential anyway. You can buy clothes down there. They'll cost you a 2nd mortgage, but still.

You are right. Who needs clothes anyway?

Dude, sounds like you brought that on yourself.

I did but I was excited and I wasn't tired.

He's giving you a first down.

Too bad he wasn't an official for when that green team in Philly have the ball, huh?

Okay, whew, that was close....that would've made for a mighty short trip report!

True. But what fun would that have been. I'd miss Kathy yelling at me to post an update.

Agreed. I think "they" started their career-path in the fast food business, according to Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon 2.

Maybe they should of stayed in fast food.

Well Melody does, with that little pink carry-on. But you my friend, are apparently out of control!

isnt it a hitch in the plans when yo uthink they will knock out on the plan to have them wide awake and trying to keep them happy going 500+ 5 miles up.

We went to Florida over Easter and he passed out on the plane on both flights. We thought he would do the same this time. Didn't happen.

your luggage doesnt seem to bad, looks normal to me.

So sorry you have to travel like us.

 

[archdandy]

Great start! That's a lot of luggage! Sometimes coming on the DIS scares the heck out of me just seeing all that goes into taking kids to Disney.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

So sorry you have to travel like us.

its the challenge that we love i think.

trying to manuever through the check in process with 5 pieces of luggage while having 2 more on your back/shoulders.

but this trip i learned the art of packing the medium size bag into the large size bag to have brand spanking empty luggage for the souveniours on the way home.

you wouldnt believe how handy this was and helped bring that JUMBO monorail playset home.

 

[that's nice]

We were in the baggage claim waiting for our luggage, when I started getting texts from Kathy asking about Coronado Springs- which day we were trying to add and our confirmation #. I ended up talking to Miss CSR too. She was going to talk to her contact and see what strings she could pull to add the last night onto our CSR reservation so we didn't have to move to POP. It was time to see how much pull Kathy actually has. LOL

Anyway, we grabbed our SUV and started driving towards- not to- Disney. We were making a pitstop before looking for those gates. We were going to Give Kids the World!

We passed some power lines on the way....

We haven't been back to Give Kids the World since Juliana's Make-A-Wish trip in December 2010. Not only that but I was running in the Gingerbread Run 5k, a huge fundraiser at GKTW, the next morning and I had to pick up my race packet.

We had lunch at GKTW and did a little exploring.

We also found Juliana's star in the Castle of Miracles.

Each Wish kid gets a star in the Castle of Miracles and there are over 100,000 stars in there. It is really moving to see. There are so many stars, they just finished an addition to house more stars!

A little ice-cream before heading over to CSR to check into our room.

We had a nice time at Give Kids the World. It was great to visit again. We packed the kids up and started our drive to WDW.


Up next... checking in & Oh, NO! Characters