10 Years Later - Will She Finally Make It? Will She Get Any Sleep?

[heaven2dc]

Hello Everyone! Wow -I can't believe I'm even typing this after all the wonderful reports I've read and fell in love with here on the DIS and can even hope anyone will even read it! How do I begin.....I could, I guess, tell you a little bit about myself (but then again, I want readers, not snoozers! )

Oh what the heck - here goes. I am proud to say I am a completely hooked Disholic (and huge Tinkerbell fan...huge not as in my size...well, okay, I could lose a few lbs. or maybe more than a few but you get the picture ). My kids (all 5 of them and I swear even my 3 mo old grandson) think I'm completely off my rocker for loving the Mouse so much but I'm a 54 year old (shhh...did I even say that?) kid who will never grow too old to visit my most favorite place in the world.

To back up a little here before I begin, (and not to be too sad here on the Boards so please do not read if you don't want to) in 1994 my husband, 5 kids and I drove across country from Oregon to Florida to visit WDW. After a very long trip, much car troubles, we literally stopped (or our van did since it wouldn't go any further) at the first hotel near WDW. Well, the trip ended right there - my husb suffered a massive heart attack, died in the hotel room & we ended up in WV to bury him (a day before Christmas). He really wanted to make the kids' dream come true to visit WDW so to fast forward to 1997 I was able to take my oldest 3 and 8 family members on a 10-day wonderful stay at BWV.

Well, for the past 10 years I've been wanting to go back - I fell in love with BWV & WDW and hoped to take my youngest 2 who are now 14 & 20 . Back in October, my DS (25) surprised me with $$ so I could go for 4 days BUT I don't want to go alone so do I ask my BFF who is absolutely NOT a Disney freak like me but will go along becuz she's a good sport? or since I can't afford to take both my kids, do I take one (and live with the guilt of leaving the other one behind)?

Decisions, decisions. How's a girl to get any sleep......

 

[heaven2dc]

Guess I've put everyone to sleep - no responses!

After talking it over with the boys, they decided they'd rather wait to go on a cruise (they don't have the Disney bug yet since they haven't gone but glad I didn't have to choose just one). So I am now saving to send them along with DS25 on a cruise in May and everyone's happy!

Now to tackle my BFF who is about to become my DBFF. I went over to her house a couple weeks ago, brought up the Disboards website showing her tons of pics of Epcot & food (knowing this is the way to win her over, she loves food & wine and wants to travel the world), I finally convinced her to go! Right then and there we made our airline reservations, flying out of Reagan National, got great prices and now all we have to do is wait for the big day! (I'm not really packed but sure looks good to be packed).

We have the base tickets so the plan is to arrive at MCO at 12:23 pm, take Magical Express to BWV and head over to Epcot after check-in for lunch & to explore the world. I made ADR's @ Teppan Edo for 8 p.m. and after dinner, plan to watch Illuminations & head back to the Boardwalk. Day 2 is Magic Kingdom day and I made ADR's for the 5:15 p.m Polynesian Luau show and walk down to the beach or ferry landing to watch Wishes. Day 3 is Disney Hollywood (MGM) day with no real plans other than wanting to see Fantasmic & head to DTD that night. Our last day (boohoo) on Sunday is Animal Kingdom day to do the Safari & hopefully convince DBFF to ride EE. She's not a big roller coaster person & has this thing with her heart so she has to be careful what rides she can go on. Plus I don't mind skipping the big rides - as long as she is having fun and catches some of the Magic. So that's the plan.

Now you'd think since the big decision has been made, tickets bought, BWV booked PLUS ADR's made, I'd be able to sleep - NOT!! I'm too excited

 

[crgfsu1]

Hi!! I'm hooked on your report!! You are leaving in 14 days and you found time to start a pre-trip report?? Wow.

So, a few things...

#1 - Teppan Edo
- I am jealous that you get to go to Teppan Edo. We had ressies there for our October trip, but their construction schedule ran over and we ended up having to change ressies due to the place not being open yet! We ended up at Rose & Crown (which I was not really happy with) So, I hope you enjoy Teppan Edo!! Let me know how it turns out.

#2 - Expedition Everest
- I rode this & I dont really like roller coasters. I was pretty woosy (??) after it was over. I dont think I would recommend your friend ride it if she had a heart condition. We wouldnt let my FIL ride it due to his heart. It is not a gentle ride by any means.

Well, I am ready for more!

Cathy

 

[winkers]

First I have to say I'm so sorry about your husband! I can't imagine how awful that must have been for you and your kids!
I think it's great that you were able to make it back and are going again!

 

[heaven2dc]

Hurray - I have some readers! I have some pre-trip pics I will post this weekend. I should also add that while DBFF wasn't sure if she would go, I asked my oldest DS29 and DD28 if either of them wanted to go (of course, I asked my wonderful DS25 as soon as he surprised me with the idea but he declined). My DS & DD would either have gone if DBFF didn't want to as they love Disney almost as much as I do.

I'm waiting on my luggage tags from Magical Express and bought Disney autograph books for us. What really surprised me was now that my DBFF has talked to a few people who have recently gone, she's anxious to meet some of the characters! So I'm happy she will have a book to get autographs.

I was sad to hear that Splash Mountain will be down for refurbishment as it is one of my favs Well off to run errands - wish I had something exciting to post but I do have a surprise for my other kids which I hope to find out on Sunday!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I'm signed on to hear all about it. Looking forward to reading about some adult food experiences that I can't do yet with my three kids tagging along with me.

 

[heaven2dc]

Hi!! I'm hooked on your report!! You are leaving in 14 days and you found time to start a pre-trip report?? Wow.

So, a few things...

#1 - Teppan Edo
- I am jealous that you get to go to Teppan Edo. We had ressies there for our October trip, but their construction schedule ran over and we ended up having to change ressies due to the place not being open yet! We ended up at Rose & Crown (which I was not really happy with) So, I hope you enjoy Teppan Edo!! Let me know how it turns out.

#2 - Expedition Everest
- I rode this & I dont really like roller coasters. I was pretty woosy (??) after it was over. I dont think I would recommend your friend ride it if she had a heart condition. We wouldnt let my FIL ride it due to his heart. It is not a gentle ride by any means.

Well, I am ready for more!

Cathy

We're anxious to eat at Teppan Edo too! We actually toyed with eating at Rose & Crown for better seating for Illuminations but since that is our only day at Epcot, we wanted to take advantage of eating at T.E. We also discussed riding EE and other roller coaster rides and she is willing to sit out while I ride but I can't let her do that!! She's such a good sport

First I have to say I'm so sorry about your husband! I can't imagine how awful that must have been for you and your kids!
I think it's great that you were able to make it back and are going again!

Thank you for your kind words! It was very tramatic for all of us to say the least, my kids were 1, 7, 12, 15 & 16 at the time so it was such a blurr to them but they are fantastic kids and I'm so blessed to have them!

I'm signed on to hear all about it. Looking forward to reading about some adult food experiences that I can't do yet with my three kids tagging along with me.

I can truly understand wanting some adult time, esp with having little ones at dinner. That's what made the trip in 1997 so enjoyable - all adults except my DS who was 15 then.


I didn't get a chance to post pre-trip pics on here this weekend since I was sick with the flu but will work on it this week. Still haven't got my Magical Express luggage tags As an update, my DS14 asked if he could now go - arghh!!! But when I explained we had already bought our airline tickets and then had to break the news early about my surprise to send them on a cruise in May, he was cool

 

[jordanyosh]

I'm here...sorry about the DH....I understand sudden loss too well.....

Hey it looks like we'll be there at the same time....look for me....

 

[heaven2dc]

I'm here...sorry about the DH....I understand sudden loss too well.....

Hey it looks like we'll be there at the same time....look for me....

Thank you, I had read your pre-trip and you have been thru much more than I! Sadly in 1996 my only sibling (brother) died in a fire. My mother decided we needed some cheering up so she told me to use some of my inheritance to take the family to WDW. We went in March 1997 (my oldest 3 kids and brother-in-law's family) and had a wonderful yet sad time.

I am so anxious to go again after 10 years - maybe I will see you there!

UPDATE: I broke a front tooth this morning!! So if I can't get into the dentist before my trip, you might recognize the ditzy blonde woman with a half missing front tooth lol.

 

[KatGarcia]

I;m in too! I just followed from Jordan's TR! We will be there at the same time same place as well!

 

[winkers]

Oh no! How did you break your tooth? Get thee to a dentist before you go! Seriously! I ended up visiting a dentist in florida last May while we were there. Really not fun!

 

[heaven2dc]

UPDATE: I broke my tooth yesterday brushing it. I have an upper plate and it flew out of my hands and onto the floor. At least it didn't break in half, only chipped a front tooth in half. I went to the dentist this morning, he is absolutely the best! He is a client of ours where I work and I had called yesterday afternoon and they got me in at 8 this morning. He didn't charge me for the visit but had to send me over to a dental lab - after an hour & half wait, I got my tooth fixed. It looks great (should for $120 ) Oh well, at least I don't have to hide my smile. (I had a similar incident about 15 years ago, went to Reno w/hubby, got alot tipsy and after spending time in the casino bathroom, I came back to the room toothless. Yep - upchucked my entire plate But I did win him lots of money on the slots and craps table So had to spend the rest of the weekend in the hotel room and it took 3 weeks to get my new plates. Maybe I shouldn't go on vacations )

I got my Magical Express packet last night - woohoo!! Except when I opened the packet, the luggage tags were for someone staying at BCV arriving on 02/03/08. No, no, no...this will NOT do! So onto the phone to the kindly ME people and she said it was too late to mail me new luggage tags but at least my vouchers were correct. So I guess we will be getting our luggage from baggage claim and lug to the bus ourselves (Note: another reason I shouldn't go on vacations. Is anything going to go right???)

 

[KatGarcia]

Same thing happened to us. We rentel DVC points and thought we got switched over to Beach Club because thats what the ME tags said- but after checking in it was a typo. Oh well. We usually get our luggage from baggage anyway since I don't like tow ait for my bags, on the way back tho I let them do the ME thing with the bags. It's all good- don't worry!

 

[winkers]

I'm so glad you got your tooth taken care of!

 

[crgfsu1]

I'm glad you received your vouchers; sorry about he ME tags. And yea!!! You dentist is the best

Cathy

 

[DL55]

So sorry about your DH. So glad you got your tooth fixed.
Looking forward to your TR. Don't worry mishaps happen, just keep a sense of humor. I doubt anyone has had a completely trouble free vacation. (although your trip in 1994 has to be the worst )

 

[heaven2dc]

So sorry about your DH. So glad you got your tooth fixed.
Looking forward to your TR. Don't worry mishaps happen, just keep a sense of humor. I doubt anyone has had a completely trouble free vacation. (although your trip in 1994 has to be the worst )

1994 was definitely the worst and I'm sure there are lots of people with worse things happening on a vacation (my hubby was so happy he got to see the beautiful country driving to Florida but he's definitely in his Magical place now & we're happy with that).

My whole office has been sick with the flu this week and I thought I was going to escape it but now I've got a scratchy throat & sniffles so I did one of my late mother's remedies to ward off that nasty bug & put drops of peroxide in my ears (she said that's where the flu bug enters your body ). Let's hope it works cuz I really need some sleep (again last night I was awake at 2 a.m. only this time with a scratchy throat). I'm going to Disneyworld & I can't get sick!!!

 

[DL55]

1994 was definitely the worst and I'm sure there are lots of people with worse things happening on a vacation (my hubby was so happy he got to see the beautiful country driving to Florida but he's definitely in his Magical place now & we're happy with that).

My whole office has been sick with the flu this week and I thought I was going to escape it but now I've got a scratchy throat & sniffles so I did one of my late mother's remedies to ward off that nasty bug & put drops of peroxide in my ears (she said that's where the flu bug enters your body ). Let's hope it works cuz I really need some sleep (again last night I was awake at 2 a.m. only this time with a scratchy throat). I'm going to Disneyworld & I can't get sick!!!

I'm sorry to disagree but dying before you get to see WDW has to be the worst Anything short of dying isn't the worst. (I hope I'm not bringing up painful memories, I won't mention this again )
I hope you are feeling better. I must admit germs getting you sick by entering your ear is funny.

 

[jordanyosh]

Get better soon....

 

[heaven2dc]

The drops worked!! Not a hint of sniffles or sore throat -

I can't believe it's only 3 more days - I actually got my clothes out last night and ironed. Now to just get them in the suitcase and I'm ready. Did I mention we are having a limousine take us to and from the airport? My DBFF & I both dread driving up to Washington, D.C. so we splurged (I drove I-5 and the Banfield Freeway in Portland for 20 years but am scared of those D.C. drivers )

Still am figuring out how to work my daughter's camera so no pics yet of my pre-trip stuff - we're going to try again tonight. I'm afraid I'm going to end up with 300 blurry pics of my trip...but I'll take a blurry Disney picture any day over no pics at all.