Dan Murphy
We are family.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2000
- Messages
- 84,018
I am posting this 'old' trip report for the 3rd time. The previous ones were lost in board updates. Over the months, I have received emails to repost these, as well as I have seen references to them on the Community Board, requests to repost, and some folks don't know what they were. At the time, December, '99 and January, '00, they were somewhat unique. They were enjoyed then, hopefully they will again. 
I will attempt to present my trip report in a somewhat different than normal fashion (why should I change now?). In life, there is first an embryo, then fetal development, and then a glorious birth of a baby. I hope to present my story along those lines, in 3 parts. Today will start with the embryo. Actually this first part will sound like it belongs on Inspiration Board, but it really is Trip.
The Embryonic Stage
As the kids were growing up, we always said, We should go to Disney World. It was always, not enough time, or we dont have the money to do it this year. Well that changed in 1998/99.
The Crew:
Dan Murphyme, age 55, Financial Planner
Mariemy dear wife, a few years my younger, full time mom, spouse, and homemaker
Nataliemy dear daughter, turned 19 on our trip, first year college student
Vincentmy dear son, age 22, working towards becoming a firefighter
Our Magic Time:
Sunday, November 28thMonday, December 6th
The beginnings of our trip to WDW actually began in January 1998. My dear wife, Marie, then was diagnosed with breast cancer.
This, obviously, was a life-altering event for her and our family. She started her treatments shortly thereafter--surgery, chemo, and radiation, in that order. It was a long, arduous, dragged-out battle. Day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month, it went on and on and on. In early May 98, Marie was in the later weeks of the chemo part of her treatment.
During the fist week in May, I had to go, (and I do mean that--I had to go), on a 3 night/4 day business convention. Last year, (98), it happened to be held at the WDW Swan & WDW Dolphin. Well, I went to the convention with great reservations of leaving Marie home, if only for a few days.
Upon my arrival at WDW, I had mixed feelings. Here I am at a place that is designed, certainly with families as a major consideration, and not only am I here alone, but my wife is home, sick, fighting for her life. I did go about my business.
First day was basically travel and check in, as it so frequently is. That evening was a cocktail reception at which thoughts were back home, not at the party. The second day was taken with the usual daytime meetings and an awards banquet in the evening. I called frequently to the home front to check in and touch base. I really had wished I were home.
I basically was totally free to do as desired on the third day. Well, I said, as long as I am here at WDW, I might as well try to see what it was like a little bit and what it was we had missed over the years. As a then total WDW neophyte, I wandered around the lobby, trying to find out, What do I do? I went to the Disney counter and asked some questions, (which now in retrospect, would be much more efficiently dealt with on DIS. LOL). I purchased a one-day ticket, ($$ LOL), took the Friendship boat, (I thought that to be totally cool),
to MGM Studios, and spent the day wandering aimlessly around the park, much as we would do at Six Flags that we have here in Chicago and have visited numbers of times over the years.
After docking at the boat dock, (again I thought this to be sooo neat), I went in with my little ticket in hand, zipped in into the machine, (cool)
, stopped at the Gas Station and said Good morning to an employee who was most friendly,
(now known as a CM), and stopped at Starring Rolls Bakery for a pecan roll and coffee, ($$). I went into MGM, made a right turn, (now probably would go left, LOL), on to Sunset Blvd, (didnt really know it had a name then). I wandered down to ToT and only gawked at it in amazement. Unbelievable! I would never, in my life, go on that. WRONG! I had a pop at Market Ranch, ($-unbelievable). I then strolled into a currently showing B&TB performance.
I was starting to wander back on Sunset Blvd, when I was taken up by the Street Performersso cool. My unknowing wandering continued.
I did have the required Guidemap in my hands, (yes, ladies, I read maps and dont ask directions. That works very well for me in my non-Disney life, and I will, in the birth segment refer back to this statement).
I went to Hollywood Blvd, through the MGM main circle, (still dont know if it has a formal name), and went to The Great Movie Ride. I kind of liked this goofy, (no pun) ride. I walked into ABC Commissary, got intimidated by the crowd, and walked out. LOL Now I realize that that was just a small number of people, (guests). I think I finally got something at Backlot Express, details of it are fuzzing up after 18 months. Whatever it was, it didnt make much of an impression on me, other than probably how much a burger costs at WDW, LOL.
I looped over to Star Tours. This was familiar territory for me, as we did do Disneyland in 92. Enjoyed the flashback again to happier, and healthier days. I took a few pictures of the great looking At-At out front, cuz I like Star Wars. I found my way, with my Guidemap, to the Backlot Tour ride. As I went through the various stages of this attraction, I thought how nice it would be if Marie was with me then, seeing the street settings of houses which different films and shows had used over the years.
After the ride, which I did think was kind of neat, (sort of reminded me of the Universal Studios tour we also did in 92), I went over to the New York Street, sat on the curb under the big arch by the garden, got out my cell phone, and called my voice mail for messages. (bet you thought I was calling homejust a little bit later)(tough for me to totally get a way from it). Even though I changed my VM to absence, one of my clients had left a message. I called him and said to him, You will never believe where I am calling you from. I am in Orlando, FL, but I am looking up this street and I can see the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in the distance. So neat! I then explained and told him I would call him on my return to the real world.
That pretty much wound up my day and initial experience with WDW. I again used my trusty Guidemap, found the exit and started my way to it. I did get sidetracked to Keystone Clothiers for the, now known, required Disney things. I did like picking out for Marie, Natalie, and Vince, but wished they were with me.
I then boarded the Friendship boat for the ride back to the Swan. I got out my cell phone again and called home. Now, mind you, this was not my first call home. I had made plenty of calls up until then, but this one was going to be cool (NOT). Marie answered and I said, You will get a kick out of this. I just left a Disney park, am on a Disney boat, on Disney water, with a Disney bag of clothes, going back to a Disney hotel. Everything is Disney! Everything! We really should come here with the kids when you are well! Well, the tears started to well up and I wanted to get off the phone. I ended the call and docked at the Swan with sad feelings.
That evening, one of the mutual fund companies I use for financial product, was hosting a 7:30 PM Thank you dinner at Morocco in Epcot to be followed by Illuminations. The bus picked us up at the Swan and dropped us off at Entrance Plaza at Spaceship Earth, (didnt then know it had a name), and we proceeded to move, just short of a jog, through Future World and World Showcase, as the bus had been late. We made it to Morocco and had an enjoyable meal with fellow associates, but I was really alone. After dinner we went outside and stood near the Friendship boat dock to watch Illuminations. Needless to say, I was impressed. After that a group of us, or maybe it was just me, (I think I was alone), walked out of Epcot, through International Gateway, along the Boardwalk, and back to the Swan. Beautiful walk, but lonely.
I called home, talked with Marie, and said Id be home in the afternoon of the next day. Tough day and evening.
I made it home and we move forward from early May to about August or so, (98).
Now, I thought this Trip report would not be soooooo long. Honestly, I am just typing this from memory, (referring to my now souvenir Guidemaps for locations and names), as I go along. The brain must still be fresh. LOL It is longer than I thought it would be; I ramble. LOL This will, I guess be referred to as Embryo, Part I. And I will post it now so I can get a start on this Trip Report thing. I did tell you it sounds like it probably, (this part), belongs on Inspiration with Nikole & Michelle, but it is my Trip Report, so it goes with Kelsie.
I will try to develop Embryo, Part II, soon. It will take me from August 98 up through my discovering DIS, sometime in the early part of 99. And a lot happened in between.
See yaall soon.
Click this 2nd Mickey to read Dans Embryo Part II
I will attempt to present my trip report in a somewhat different than normal fashion (why should I change now?). In life, there is first an embryo, then fetal development, and then a glorious birth of a baby. I hope to present my story along those lines, in 3 parts. Today will start with the embryo. Actually this first part will sound like it belongs on Inspiration Board, but it really is Trip.
The Embryonic Stage
As the kids were growing up, we always said, We should go to Disney World. It was always, not enough time, or we dont have the money to do it this year. Well that changed in 1998/99.
The Crew:
Dan Murphyme, age 55, Financial Planner
Mariemy dear wife, a few years my younger, full time mom, spouse, and homemaker
Nataliemy dear daughter, turned 19 on our trip, first year college student
Vincentmy dear son, age 22, working towards becoming a firefighter
Our Magic Time:
Sunday, November 28thMonday, December 6th
The beginnings of our trip to WDW actually began in January 1998. My dear wife, Marie, then was diagnosed with breast cancer.
This, obviously, was a life-altering event for her and our family. She started her treatments shortly thereafter--surgery, chemo, and radiation, in that order. It was a long, arduous, dragged-out battle. Day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month, it went on and on and on. In early May 98, Marie was in the later weeks of the chemo part of her treatment.During the fist week in May, I had to go, (and I do mean that--I had to go), on a 3 night/4 day business convention. Last year, (98), it happened to be held at the WDW Swan & WDW Dolphin. Well, I went to the convention with great reservations of leaving Marie home, if only for a few days.
Upon my arrival at WDW, I had mixed feelings. Here I am at a place that is designed, certainly with families as a major consideration, and not only am I here alone, but my wife is home, sick, fighting for her life.
I did go about my business.First day was basically travel and check in, as it so frequently is. That evening was a cocktail reception at which thoughts were back home, not at the party. The second day was taken with the usual daytime meetings and an awards banquet in the evening. I called frequently to the home front to check in and touch base. I really had wished I were home.
I basically was totally free to do as desired on the third day. Well, I said, as long as I am here at WDW, I might as well try to see what it was like a little bit and what it was we had missed over the years. As a then total WDW neophyte, I wandered around the lobby, trying to find out, What do I do? I went to the Disney counter and asked some questions, (which now in retrospect, would be much more efficiently dealt with on DIS. LOL). I purchased a one-day ticket, ($$ LOL), took the Friendship boat, (I thought that to be totally cool),
to MGM Studios, and spent the day wandering aimlessly around the park, much as we would do at Six Flags that we have here in Chicago and have visited numbers of times over the years.After docking at the boat dock, (again I thought this to be sooo neat), I went in with my little ticket in hand, zipped in into the machine, (cool)
, stopped at the Gas Station and said Good morning to an employee who was most friendly, (now known as a CM), and stopped at Starring Rolls Bakery for a pecan roll and coffee, ($$). I went into MGM, made a right turn, (now probably would go left, LOL), on to Sunset Blvd, (didnt really know it had a name then). I wandered down to ToT and only gawked at it in amazement. Unbelievable! I would never, in my life, go on that. WRONG! I had a pop at Market Ranch, ($-unbelievable). I then strolled into a currently showing B&TB performance. - I thought back to the previous year, (97), as I watched the B&TB stage show in Toronto, site of that years same convention I was now attending in Orlando, but with no health problems looming. My, what a year can bring!
I was starting to wander back on Sunset Blvd, when I was taken up by the Street Performersso cool. My unknowing wandering continued.
I did have the required Guidemap in my hands, (yes, ladies, I read maps and dont ask directions. That works very well for me in my non-Disney life, and I will, in the birth segment refer back to this statement).
I went to Hollywood Blvd, through the MGM main circle, (still dont know if it has a formal name), and went to The Great Movie Ride. I kind of liked this goofy, (no pun) ride.
I walked into ABC Commissary, got intimidated by the crowd, and walked out. LOL Now I realize that that was just a small number of people, (guests). I think I finally got something at Backlot Express, details of it are fuzzing up after 18 months. Whatever it was, it didnt make much of an impression on me, other than probably how much a burger costs at WDW, LOL.I looped over to Star Tours. This was familiar territory for me, as we did do Disneyland in 92. Enjoyed the flashback again to happier, and healthier days.
I took a few pictures of the great looking At-At out front, cuz I like Star Wars. I found my way, with my Guidemap, to the Backlot Tour ride. As I went through the various stages of this attraction, I thought how nice it would be if Marie was with me then, seeing the street settings of houses which different films and shows had used over the years.After the ride, which I did think was kind of neat, (sort of reminded me of the Universal Studios tour we also did in 92), I went over to the New York Street, sat on the curb under the big arch by the garden, got out my cell phone, and called my voice mail for messages. (bet you thought I was calling homejust a little bit later)(tough for me to totally get a way from it). Even though I changed my VM to absence, one of my clients had left a message. I called him and said to him, You will never believe where I am calling you from. I am in Orlando, FL, but I am looking up this street and I can see the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in the distance. So neat! I then explained and told him I would call him on my return to the real world.
That pretty much wound up my day and initial experience with WDW. I again used my trusty Guidemap, found the exit and started my way to it. I did get sidetracked to Keystone Clothiers for the, now known, required Disney things. I did like picking out for Marie, Natalie, and Vince,
but wished they were with me.I then boarded the Friendship boat for the ride back to the Swan. I got out my cell phone again and called home. Now, mind you, this was not my first call home. I had made plenty of calls up until then, but this one was going to be cool (NOT). Marie answered and I said, You will get a kick out of this. I just left a Disney park, am on a Disney boat, on Disney water, with a Disney bag of clothes, going back to a Disney hotel. Everything is Disney! Everything!
We really should come here with the kids when you are well! Well, the tears started to well up and I wanted to get off the phone. I ended the call and docked at the Swan with sad feelings.That evening, one of the mutual fund companies I use for financial product, was hosting a 7:30 PM Thank you dinner at Morocco in Epcot to be followed by Illuminations. The bus picked us up at the Swan and dropped us off at Entrance Plaza at Spaceship Earth, (didnt then know it had a name), and we proceeded to move, just short of a jog, through Future World and World Showcase, as the bus had been late. We made it to Morocco and had an enjoyable meal with fellow associates,
but I was really alone. After dinner we went outside and stood near the Friendship boat dock to watch Illuminations. Needless to say, I was impressed. After that a group of us, or maybe it was just me, (I think I was alone), walked out of Epcot, through International Gateway, along the Boardwalk, and back to the Swan. Beautiful walk, but lonely.I called home, talked with Marie, and said Id be home in the afternoon of the next day. Tough day and evening.
I made it home and we move forward from early May to about August or so, (98).
Now, I thought this Trip report would not be soooooo long. Honestly, I am just typing this from memory, (referring to my now souvenir Guidemaps for locations and names), as I go along. The brain must still be fresh. LOL It is longer than I thought it would be; I ramble.
LOL This will, I guess be referred to as Embryo, Part I. And I will post it now so I can get a start on this Trip Report thing. I did tell you it sounds like it probably, (this part), belongs on Inspiration with Nikole & Michelle, but it is my Trip Report, so it goes with Kelsie.I will try to develop Embryo, Part II, soon. It will take me from August 98 up through my discovering DIS, sometime in the early part of 99.
And a lot happened in between.See yaall soon.
Click this 2nd Mickey to read Dans Embryo Part II
Where can I locate the rest of the installments? I'd really love to know how your first family trip was!
