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02-26-2008, 07:51 AM
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#1 |
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: "Exit 16W" of the Land of the Last!
Posts: 77,950
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We WEREN'T the "Castle Family", we DIDN'T get to be GRAND MARSHALLS,...
....no special 'collector's item' WDW pins were given to us; heck, we didn't even get no stinkin' BADGES.....I just KNEW that this was gonna be one trip to WDW too many:
CAST OF 'CHARACTERS' ME ~ on a personal mission to make sure that EVERYONE I know visits WDW at least once, or die trying DH ~ a 'true' Capricorn: "Yes, let's go, no, I don't wanna go to WDW, yes, we're going to Disneyworld, we can't afford to go on vacation, I can't wait to go to Florida,..."[..well, YOU get the idea...] DS, Dylan ~ pain-in-the-*** extraordinaire, typical product of the 'instant gratification' set, X-Box-junkie David ~ my DS's best friend ...let's just back-track a bit: for those of you who read my last [STILL yet-to-be-finished] trippie, you are well aware that I had VEHEMENTLY stated that there would not be any more vaca's to WDW by the Marino family, and I may have actually prophesied that...... "I Should Have Just Gone to Upstate NY..." Well, the summer of 2007 quickly came and went, not surprisingly since, as a teacher, that's what usually happens during our hiatus. Any hope of, once again, making an annual trek to WDW seemed fruitless, since it was oh-so-apparent that my DFam was really through with WDW for a VERY LONG TIME. That was the case, until my DH and youngest DS were talking about perhaps 'doing' Disneyworld for Christmas. As one of eight siblings (and myself, one of 4), what, with the many in-laws (and outlaws!), lately the Christmas holidays have gotten WA-A-A-AY too hectic - between the shopping for the endless number of nieces and nephews, the cleaning, the cooking, the visiting, the decorating - I'm sure that I don't have to really spell it out for you, my DH 'brilliantly' devised the idea of spending Christmas with the "Mouse"! Imagine that: no secret whispers in the night, no not-so-inconspicuous WDW ads and photos of vacations past strewn about, not even one 'suggestion' or 'hint' of that magical place I hold dear in my heart. Oh no - if the idea of another Disney vacation was going to pass the lips of my DH, it was going to be brought up by him! If there is anything that I've learned about my DH, it is: let HIM think that HE came up with the idea.... The beginning of September and a new school year also meant looking for the best price on a possible WDW vaca (oh, how I love a good challenge!) so, it was now up to me to "secretly" get those gears in motion....I was smart enough to wait for the right moment to bring up the idea of Christmas at Disneyworld..... It was during one of those innocent conversations while watching TV, that I commented how I was going to have to begin decorating earlier than usual for the holidays - I was going to strip the wallpaper from the kitchen walls and put up newer paper - the one we had purchased at Lowe's in Oneonta. It had been sitting there, just collecting dust, and I was really determined to put up the new paper, since my mom would be visiting from Puerto Rico for about 6 weeks. That's when my DH asked if I had told her that we wouldn't even BE here during Christmas Week...WHAT A SURPRISE! Mustering up my best look of indifference (it was truly an 'Oscar-winner'!), I casually mentioned that I hadn't thought that he had really been serious about going away for the holidays. It was at this same moment that my DS entered the family room, whereby my DH once again asked him if he still wanted to go to WDW - he did, but as long as he could bring a friend along.....enter the 'coincidence' - I had been reading my emails of the day, when I happened upon a 'special deal' from the Swan/Dolphin - $189/night for a standard room at WDW! Of course, we had already stayed at S/D before, and my DH vaguely remembered about our stay there - the most important item of note was the fact that the S/D is ideally located in the heart of the Epcot/MGM area. BINGO! I could feel a slight nibble on the bait.....I finished up with the fact that I COULD possibly hold 2 rooms without any penalty, as long as the ressies were cancelled 5 days before arrival. ZZZZZZZZZZ  [...that's the sound of my DH being 'reeled in'....]With my ressies in place, we (or should I say 'HE'??) decided that it would be cheaper, hence MORE FUN, to drive to WDW.....uhhhhhh, yeah.....  . Of course, you know what THIS means - posthaste, I get myself to the nearest PC and begin combing the web for the best airfare around. You name it, I joined it - CheapAir, CheapoAir, Airsavers, Travelocity, Farecasters, quixo, I even signed up to get my daily "DING!" (unfortunately, I am powerless against the might of the DING, so I'm STILL getting 'DING'ED.... )Other than the daily ritual of surfing the web and checking my emails, I was basically, a 'closet planner', which, quite frankly isn't what it's all hyped up to be. Because of my DH's ever-changing mood and attitude about going to WDW, I really didn't have the luxury of basking in the glory of the PLANNING part of the vacation. You see, painfully obvious to most Disney enthusiasts, part of the Disney experience IS the planning before the actual trip. I hadn't even added a countdown thingie to my siggie until almost a month out. However, I kept alive the hope of standing on Main Street in December.....  ...compliments of loribeth [...next installment - Post #30]
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        July 1992~off-site Dec 1999~CSR Feb 2001~DxL Nov 2001~Dolphin July 2002~CBR Aug 2002~WL Feb 2005~AKL/concierge Feb 2005~AKL Aug 2006~PoP C Aug 2006~AKL Dec 2007~DolphinJuly/Aug 2010~Mystic Dunes "That's IT! The absolutely, positively VERY LAST Marino....." "We WEREN'T the 'Castle Family', We Didn't..." "The Trippie Who Hath..." Last edited by kimmar067; 08-28-2008 at 01:05 PM. |
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02-26-2008, 07:59 PM
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#2 |
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: "Exit 16W" of the Land of the Last!
Posts: 77,950
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....bumping.....
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July 1992~off-site Dec 1999~CSR Feb 2001~DxL Nov 2001~Dolphin July 2002~CBR Aug 2002~WL Feb 2005~AKL/concierge Feb 2005~AKL Aug 2006~PoP C Aug 2006~AKL Dec 2007~DolphinJuly/Aug 2010~Mystic Dunes "That's IT! The absolutely, positively VERY LAST Marino....." "We WEREN'T the 'Castle Family', We Didn't..." "The Trippie Who Hath..." |
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02-26-2008, 08:34 PM
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#3 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 21,603
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I am hooked already!
 When did you bring it up? When? When? I am a teacher too -- I feel an instant bond! 
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Me (Jackie), Charles, Chelsea (15), Connor (13)
    2012 TR: A Fourth of Pixie-Dust!2012 PTR: Does Pixie Dust Help with Decision-Making? May 2011 PTR: Sensing Pixie Dust I Am! July 2010 TR: Where Pixie-Dusted Birthday Dreams Come True! October 2009 TR: Shaken, Not Stirred, With a Twist of Pixie Dust! A Food and Wine Trip Report!June 2009 TR: Divas, Zebra Domes, and Pixie Dust! A Week in an African Paradise! |
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02-26-2008, 08:38 PM
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: "Exit 16W" of the Land of the Last!
Posts: 77,950
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Quote:
 ...we are: kindred spirit...
__________________
July 1992~off-site Dec 1999~CSR Feb 2001~DxL Nov 2001~Dolphin July 2002~CBR Aug 2002~WL Feb 2005~AKL/concierge Feb 2005~AKL Aug 2006~PoP C Aug 2006~AKL Dec 2007~DolphinJuly/Aug 2010~Mystic Dunes "That's IT! The absolutely, positively VERY LAST Marino....." "We WEREN'T the 'Castle Family', We Didn't..." "The Trippie Who Hath..." |
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02-26-2008, 08:39 PM
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: "Exit 16W" of the Land of the Last!
Posts: 77,950
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Quote:
 [...I am an EXPERT in the art of subtlety....]
__________________
July 1992~off-site Dec 1999~CSR Feb 2001~DxL Nov 2001~Dolphin July 2002~CBR Aug 2002~WL Feb 2005~AKL/concierge Feb 2005~AKL Aug 2006~PoP C Aug 2006~AKL Dec 2007~DolphinJuly/Aug 2010~Mystic Dunes "That's IT! The absolutely, positively VERY LAST Marino....." "We WEREN'T the 'Castle Family', We Didn't..." "The Trippie Who Hath..." |
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02-26-2008, 08:43 PM
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#6 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 21,603
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Ha ha ha! Perfect! I love Disney commercials -- I always tear up when I see one!
__________________
Me (Jackie), Charles, Chelsea (15), Connor (13)
2012 TR: A Fourth of Pixie-Dust!2012 PTR: Does Pixie Dust Help with Decision-Making? May 2011 PTR: Sensing Pixie Dust I Am! July 2010 TR: Where Pixie-Dusted Birthday Dreams Come True! October 2009 TR: Shaken, Not Stirred, With a Twist of Pixie Dust! A Food and Wine Trip Report!June 2009 TR: Divas, Zebra Domes, and Pixie Dust! A Week in an African Paradise! |
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02-26-2008, 09:58 PM
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#7 |
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I need an Orli six-pack
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NY
Posts: 7,132
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Wonderful start Kim...I am waiting with baited breath for the 2nd installment...don't leave me hanging toooooooooo long.
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02-27-2008, 06:04 AM
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#8 |
 We aint afraid of a little rain! No Escape from Reality 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Roaming the utilidors
Posts: 14,168
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good start cant wait to here more
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02-27-2008, 06:11 AM
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#9 |
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Frogs are our friends...
Ask me what I can do in 15 seconds! I think it's big hunking chicken 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Deep in the heart of the land of the last!
Posts: 25,797
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 I love it already
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02-27-2008, 06:27 AM
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#10 |
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Proud Redhead
I’m a Universal Homie 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: between milwaukee and chicago (in Tom Felton's house)
Posts: 52,093
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love it.....
there will be another installment, right?
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life is what happens to you on your way to achieving your dreams...........
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02-27-2008, 08:08 AM
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#11 |
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There are a few of us lazy good-for-nothing men that could possibly, on a good day... blah blah blah
computer problem, or hitting the wine early? Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,965
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OK, Kim, you've whetted the appetite! Great start! Yes, you do have to finish this at some point!
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Kevin
Walt Disney World Since 1975 - Many Day Trips Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground - July 2007 SSR - Mar 16-19 & July 22-Aug 5 2008  |
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02-27-2008, 11:53 AM
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#12 |
 Jambo Wildbunch Gang Join Date: May 2003
Location: MA
Posts: 1,931
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Reelin' him in...I love it!
 Can't wait to read more. But, seriously, I am anxiously awaiting the end of your last trip report! 
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02-27-2008, 01:10 PM
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#13 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: "Exit 16W" of the Land of the Last!
Posts: 77,950
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Quote:
__________________
July 1992~off-site Dec 1999~CSR Feb 2001~DxL Nov 2001~Dolphin July 2002~CBR Aug 2002~WL Feb 2005~AKL/concierge Feb 2005~AKL Aug 2006~PoP C Aug 2006~AKL Dec 2007~DolphinJuly/Aug 2010~Mystic Dunes "That's IT! The absolutely, positively VERY LAST Marino....." "We WEREN'T the 'Castle Family', We Didn't..." "The Trippie Who Hath..." |
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02-27-2008, 03:08 PM
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#14 | |||
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DIS Veteran
Official DIS "good thread" popcorn supplier 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Land of the LAST, Chicago Chapter
Posts: 14,583
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Quote:
 my kinda girl Quote:
I'm in line waiting for the next installmentQuote:
 perfect description!!! love it!!!
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 POP 10/12**CR 5/12**POP 2/12**POP 10/11**POP 7/11**POP 3/11**WL 1/11**WL 12/10**POP 10/10**CR 08/10**CSR 07/10** POP 05/10**POP 02/10 ** WL 11/09**WL 08/09**POP 06/09**POP 03/09** ASM 1/09**YC 8/08**ASM 4/08 **ASM 10/07**WL 9/07**DL/PP 4/2007**DCL 3/2007 ** CBR 3/2007**YC 8/2006**CBR 3/2006**CR 8/2005 ** WL (Honeymoon Suite)2/2005**WL(DISNEYMOON  Concierge level) 4/2003**ASM 12/2000**ALS 1/2001 LAST! IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE! Hail thee Babylonia, the goddess of women and all things fertile, and the landmark of the bathroom |
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02-27-2008, 05:33 PM
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#15 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: "Exit 16W" of the Land of the Last!
Posts: 77,950
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Quote:
...hopefully, not TOO long....
__________________
July 1992~off-site Dec 1999~CSR Feb 2001~DxL Nov 2001~Dolphin July 2002~CBR Aug 2002~WL Feb 2005~AKL/concierge Feb 2005~AKL Aug 2006~PoP C Aug 2006~AKL Dec 2007~DolphinJuly/Aug 2010~Mystic Dunes "That's IT! The absolutely, positively VERY LAST Marino....." "We WEREN'T the 'Castle Family', We Didn't..." "The Trippie Who Hath..." |
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