4 + 1 = happy memories? I hope so! NEW: Final thoughts!

[Liz]

Why is it that "bad mommy" guilt is 10x's worse at disney? I hope your felt better for the next day!

Well about our next Disney day . . . . Umm, I'll just say it might make this day look good?

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Well about our next Disney day . . . . Umm, I'll just say it might make this day look good?

The suspense is killing me!

 

[Liz]

The suspense is killing me!

I guess I'm actually gonna have to relive that final day, huh?

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I guess I'm actually gonna have to relive that final day, huh?

Oh, dear. I hope it wasn't that bad.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

So sorry you got sick at Disney! And you have no reason to feel so guilty! Reading through this, you come off as a super mom who goes way above and beyond for her children! Children come to realize that even their super hero mom's are just human some days, too! I am happy to hear you liked the food at Kona. We are planning to eat there our last day of vacation.

 

[Liz]

Oh, dear. I hope it wasn't that bad.

I'll let you guys decide . I'm working on it so it shouldn't be more than a day or two.

So sorry you got sick at Disney! And you have no reason to feel so guilty! Reading through this, you come off as a super mom who goes way above and beyond for her children! Children come to realize that even their super hero mom's are just human some days, too! I am happy to hear you liked the food at Kona. We are planning to eat there our last day of vacation.

Thanks for your sweet comments!!!

Yes, Kona was very good!!!

 

[KristinAnne]

Should have been preparing for my day tomorrow and instead I've been reading your TR! It looks like you had a great time...course I haven't seen the next enstallment yet!

 

[Liz]

I'm working on our next day's events but in the meantime here are some more of Kelsee's photos from our first Epcot day! Enjoy!

Canada

Test Track

The Seas

The Land

Jamminators

 

[Liz]

Should have been preparing for my day tomorrow and instead I've been reading your TR! It looks like you had a great time...course I haven't seen the next enstallment yet!

Glad to have you here!! Hope you got everything ready for today!!

 

[Liz]

50's PTC

Mulch, Sweat & Tears

Fantasmic

 

[Donald is #1]

Cool! I have never seen this in the Living Seas!

 

[Liz]

Cool! I have never seen this in the Living Seas!

Yeah it is! There are actually one or two more besides this one!

 

[Liz]

 

[Liz]

Sigh . . . .

I guess there is no point in further delaying having to revisit this day in our family’s Disney history.

And we begin . . .

I woke up around 2:30 in the morning still feeling achy and horrible. I took my temperature again and still no fever. Popped two more Tylenol and hoped for a miracle.

For once I didn’t wake up super early and got up when everybody else did about 7:00. And I was actually blessed with a mini-miracle of sorts! My body aches were GONE but my throat hurt a bit worse. Seeing as how this was our last Disney day I could live with that and I was determined to have fun! And finally today we were wearing our cute as all get out Mickey stick figure shirts! Wahooo!!

Thankfully with the body aches out of the way I had the strength to get some of our luggage ready for the move. I believe I already mentioned we had a lot of stuff. We each had a large suitcase plus a carry-on plus Kelsee’s stuff.

Before leaving home I had debated whether to let the Lodge move our luggage to Pop or do it ourselves. I knew we would be coming back from MK very late tonight (perhaps almost midnight?) and was trying to avoid having to track down our luggage at that late hour. So the “before leaving home plan” was to put everything in the trunk, drive to Pop and check in then go to MK from there. Then at the end of the evening when we returned we could just grab our luggage from the trunk and go to our rooms. One MAJOR problem with that plan was there was NO WAY everything was going to fit in the car much less in the trunk.

In hindsight we should have just had the Lodge move everything. Yes, I hate split stays but the luggage headache that is to follow could have just been eliminated had we let them do the transfer.

So the new and unimproved plan was for Paul and I to take a load of luggage to Pop and check in while the kids finished getting ready for the day. We’d leave the luggage with Luggage Assistance (assuming our rooms weren’t ready) then go back for the kids, putting everything remaining in the trunk of the car. We’d take the boat from WL to MK and at the end of the day return to the car and drive to Pop. We’d already be checked in and have our keys. Unfortunately we would still be left with having to track down the luggage we left there in the morning.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Gosh, I’d have to be saving a boat load of money to do this again.

Paul and I put our stuff in the trunk and he said his back was really hurting. Really, really bad. He has back problems from time to time but usually nothing serious. He got behind the wheel and we began driving to Pop. While driving there his back problems went from really, really hurting to almost unbearable. It was BAD.

With him in pain and me concentrating on him being in pain we missed the turn to Pop and ended up at the entrance plaza of Animal Kingdom. Another car stopped to talk to the CM and drove on. Now it was our turn. I told him we were trying to get to Pop and missed our turn.

It was a cute little man with a twinkle in his eye and a strong accent who said “ahh, now I’m going to have to punish you like the people before you!” At any other moment I would have found him amusing and adorable. Now not so much.

He gave us very good instructions on how we needed to get back to Pop. Paul drove away from the toll plaza then pulled the car over to the far left and stopped so we could switch drivers. I hope we didn’t alarm the cute little man because he probably wondered why we were stopping and getting out. Also when Paul got out he started doing his back exercises that he was given by a doctor or physical therapist at one time to help with his problem.

I got behind the wheel and Paul got in the passenger seat and we began our drive to Pop, rather quickly I might add. He needed to get out of the car because sitting there was painful.

Paul had taken some pain pills for his back and they were now upsetting his stomach. He needed a bathroom and something to eat NOW. I dropped him off at the front of Pop so he could hurry in and take care of both those pressing needs while I parked the car.

I got one big suitcase and one carry on and went in the Pop lobby. In spite of the horrible turn the morning had taken, it felt good to be back there. I have nothing but wonderful memories of our 8 night stay in 2005.

I didn’t see Paul anywhere so I got in the short line to check in. Before the CM helping me got very far in the process I explained to her that we had one member of our group who was sick and we would appreciate getting any room that was currently available, even if it was not the room we were originally assigned.

That statement was met with a dumbfounded silence.

I repeated myself: “you know, any room that is available now even if its not the one we were supposed to get. Like a room that didn’t need to be cleaned this morning because no one stayed in it last night”.

Still no response. I don’t think she had any clue what I was talking about.

I said never mind.

Perhaps there were no rooms like that.

My CM happily resumed checking us in and gave me the keys. She said we were in the 90’s section (I had requested 50’s) and gave me a number to call later to find out if our rooms were ready. While we were taking care of the checking in process I saw Paul walking around by the gift shop and silently prayed that he was feeling better.

When I was finished at the counter I went over to Paul hoping to hear the words “it’s a little better” – anything like that.

Instead I heard just the opposite.

He still hadn’t gotten anything to eat so he was going to do that while I took care of the luggage. But before getting any more out of the car I needed to deposit the stuff I was currently dragging around.

I started to find Luggage Assistance then realized I didn’t have any small bills for a tip. So I went back to find Paul and he was sitting outside the back of the food court eating a muffin. He gave me some money and I went back to Luggage Assistance. Thankfully there was no line.

I gave the very nice CM my two pieces of luggage and said I had more to drop off. He said I could drive up closer and pointed to an area but I wasn’t sure where he meant. I nodded my head like I got it and left. I don’t know why. I was so upset about everything that was happening I forgot to give him any tip money.

I reached our car, got in and started to drive around to the hopefully correct drop off place. There’s a little semi-circular driveway that looked like it would be okay to drive in there but I didn’t see any people that looked like guests with their cars. There were a few delivery type vehicles and such. I just wasn’t sure I was supposed to go in there and I didn’t want to do the wrong thing so I just went back and parked the car again.

I figured after dropping off the luggage I would have to repark anyway and go find Paul so it would be almost as easy to just park, drop off the luggage and find Paul in one swoop.

It actually wasn’t too hard and the luggage did its part to help by staying upright and rolling along. I had one large suitcase with a carry on hooked to it in each hand. I gave these remaining pieces to the same CM and once again forgot to leave a tip!!! GOSH!!!

I found Paul and as we went to the car I asked him what he thought we should do. He said he wasn’t sure but he needed some help and couldn’t keep feeling the way he was. We began driving back towards the Wilderness Lodge. The thought entered my mind that if I knew how to get to Celebration Hospital I would take him directly there. But I had no idea where it was.

Back at the Lodge I dropped him off by the door and parked the car as he went upstairs. I had read on the DIS about a doctor service that will come to your hotel and also another service where they will pick you up, take you to the doctor and bring you back. I stopped at the Conceirge desk to ask for help. They gave me a pamphlet on physicians services and indeed one will come to your room and the other will pick you up. I was mulling over the idea that if Paul had to go to the doctor then maybe I’d just see them too about my throat.

Back at our room I showed the pamphlet to Paul said he didn’t care which we did, just do something fast. I think it was the same phone number for both. The problem with having a doctor come to our room was we had to be out by 11:00 since we were changing resorts. It seems like it was around 10:00 AM when I called. I still asked what the charge would be for the doctor to come. It was $325 which didn’t include medication (I think) and they didn’t take insurance. YIKES.

The other option wasn’t a lot better. It was $215. They would pick him up, take him to one of three clinics (they monitored the wait time at each one and would take him to the one with the shortest wait), take him to a pharmacy afterward for any prescriptions that needed to be filled then return him back to our resort. Sounded like the best option so we made arrangements. They said for him to be out front and the van would be there in 15 minutes.

Oh, and by the way, when I saw how expensive it was going to be I decided my throat wasn’t bad enough to see a doctor. We’d be in Jacksonville tomorrow and I knew of a clinic up there I could go to if necessary. I went there last year when I got sick and it was only $49.

Anyway, when we got back to the room I was expecting everybody to have finished getting packed up, fully dressed and ready to go. That wasn’t quite the case. And we were less than an hour away from needing to be out of the room.

Jeff went downstairs with Paul to wait for the van while I hurried to throw everything else in the last suitcase. I made two trips to the car with the last of ours and Kelsee’s stuff. On my second trip to the car the van hadn’t arrived yet and I told Paul if it hadn’t come when I came back from the parking lot I would just take him and we’d call the place and cancel the van. But when I got back up to the entrance Jeff said the van just picked him and about four other guests up. Wow, five sick people from our resort alone.

When everybody was ready I sent the kids to Magic Kingdom and told them to have fun. Remember when we checked in six days ago I was told I had to go to the front desk to check out? I took care of that and the CM told me since we hadn’t charged anything I didn’t need to stop at the desk. Oh well, not exactly what I was told at check-in but at this point it was a minor annoyance.

Paul and I kept in contact by phone. He said they took him to a clinic that wasn't the closest because that one had a two hour wait. The place he was at had a one hour wait.

I sat down in the Wilderness Lodge lobby over by the little bridge and the stream and tried to decide what I should do. I thought of Cherie (aka Winkers - if you aren't reading her trip report you should) and how some things had gone wrong on their trip. I realized sometimes things just happen but you deal with it and move on.

I talked to Paul again. He was doing okay but still in pain and waiting to see the doctor. I didn't know how hard it would be to find him but trying to get there didn't seem like the best idea. Every time we spoke I could hear people coughing who sounded like they were at death's door so honestly, I wasn't anxious to go to that germ infested place. You know people must be pretty sick to go to the doctor on vacation. And I knew he was going to be taken care of.

We talked about whether when he was done he should come back to the Wilderness Lodge or see if they could take him to Pop. I told him there was really no reason to come back to the Lodge and I thought he should try to go to Pop. Except if he got back soon the room likely still wouldn't be ready. And even if it was I had the keys. So we decided if he could go to Pop I would meet him there with the keys. There just seemed to be no good option either way.

I hadn't eaten anything so I went to Roaring Fork. I wouldn't normally consider lunchtime a "rush hour" at a resort food court but the place was PACKED. Crazy.

I decided to take the boat over to MK and try to find something to eat there and check on the kids. I started to go down to the dock then remembered the room keys to Pop were in the car. I should have them with me so when Paul said he was on his way back I could leave from MK and meet him at Pop with the keys.

I walked down to the parking lot and couldn't find the room keys in my Pop packet of important materials. Duh, they were in my backpack, which had been with me all along. Sigh.

Back to the boat dock and over to Magic Kingdom. It was not a happy moment. I went in the park and planned on just getting something to eat at the Main Street bakery. The park seemed extraordinarily crowded and the line at the bakery was to the door so I kept walking. I didn't want to use a counter service credit and was just looking for a snack.

Turned right at Tomorrowland and found myself at Cosmic Rays. It was a crazy crowded. Long lines. I did, however, see a snack item on the menu that sounded good - chili cheese fries, which I ordered. I couldn't find a place to sit though and ended up sitting at a table outside which would have been nice had it been warm. Today was supposed to be our warmest day but it wasn't.

I called the kids and they were coming over to meet me. They had been on Big Thunder Mountain and had seen the Pirate tutorial again.

Jeff had eaten a turkey leg so he wasn't hungry. I ended up using our last counter service credit for one double cheeseburger meal (paying for an extra bun) for Kelsee and Laura to share. As soon as I delivered the food to them I got a call from Paul. He had just left the pharmacy and wanted to know where the car was. I said it was at Wilderness Lodge so he said he was heading back there. All along we had been talking about there being no reason for him to go back to the Lodge and if he was on pain killers he couldn't drive anyway so I'm still not clear why he wanted to go back to the car. I didn't question it though and told him I'd meet him there.

I began my trek through Tomorrowland, fighting the crowds to the front of the park to catch the boat to back to Wilderness Lodge.

The next thing that happened is not surprising at all really, considering the way our trip was coming to an end. As I was making my way towards the front of the park, I felt something wet hit me right on the top of my head. I looked up to see a flock of birds flying low overhead. Yup.

And I just kept walking. I did reach up and touch my head and wondered how obvious it was that I had just been pooped or peed on by a bird. I didn't care. You know what thought entered my mind? Honest to goodness I thought "my hair is so dry, maybe its moisturizing." I think I was losing my mind!!!

For the second time in about an hour I caught a boat across the water to the Wilderness Lodge. While on the boat I called the Pop number to see if our rooms were available. It was 1:00 because I remember saying to the person on the phone (and being surprised it wasn't something automated and a person actually answered) "I know its only 1:00 but I was wondering if there is any chance our rooms are ready." YEA! THEY WERE!!!

I got back to the Lodge about 20 minutes before Paul and stopped in the bathroom to check out the pee/poop on my head situation. I couldn't see anything so it probably soaked right in.

Paul called me when the van arrived (I was sitting in our car in the parking lot.) When he said he was there I drove over and picked him up. He was still hurting but the pain wasn't as unbearable anymore, which was a very good thing. The doctor had done an EKG to make sure the back pain wasn’t anything with his heart (it wasn’t). By the time he got out the door of the clinic it was over $300 plus meds. Ouch.

We drove to Pop and made it there without any difficulty this time. I had our room numbers (9452 and 9453) but was almost totally unfamiliar with the layout of this side of the resort. In 2005 we stayed in the 50's and loved that location which is why I requested it again. Anyway, one would think the progression of the buildings would start at one end of the resort with the 50's then go to the 60's, 70's, 80's then 90's. Right? Wrong. We went to the last building of the resort in search of our 90's building and it was 80's. We walked to the end of that building and went to the next one. That was a 70's building. I thought there surely was some building after the 80’s that we had failed to notice so we went back the way we just came. Where was the stinkin' 90's building!!!!!!! Paul got angry with me because we were walking and walking. He yelled that he couldn't keep doing that and we needed to find our rooms!!!!!! (Later he apologized for yelling and said he was just hurting at the time. It was fine.)

We found a CM emptying trash and asked him how to find our room. He walked us around the corner of a building and pointed to where we needed to go. BLESS HIM!!

Our rooms were on the top floor looking down on a little courtyard and not too far from the parking lot. I got Paul situated in the room and we had a conversation that went something like this:

Me: Is there anything I can do for you?
Paul: No, I just want to get in a hot tub.
Me: There is no hot tub here.
Paul: No, I just want to get in a hot tub.
Me: Okay

I went to the car to get the rest of the stuff and bring it to our room. I was actually thinking in one respect this was good because everything would be upstairs early in the day and we wouldn’t have to worry about it later.

Based on my earlier success with rolling two large suitcases and two small ones I got bold and tried it again. Only in addition to that I placed two more small bags on top. Pure madness but I wanted to try and get everything in one trip. I was tired of hauling luggage around half the day. (I realize it beats what Paul had been through so don’t judge.)

These suitcases weren't quite so cooperative so I'd go a few feet and one or the other of them would topple over. I'd balance everything again and go a few more feet. A wonderfully kind CM saw my dilemma and said to wait while he ran to get me a luggage cart. He took off with speed and customer service that would make Walt proud. I stayed put for a minute or two waiting for him to come back but then decided I could at least try to make some progress in the meantime. So I continued my walk a few feet, have everything fall over, rebalance, repeat dance. I didn't want to go too far and have my kind rescuer come back and find me gone. When I got almost to the elevators my CM was just coming out with the luggage cart. He helped me load everything on and I thanked him profusely and told him I could take it the rest of the way.

We called for the luggage we dropped off in the morning and it came really quick. See how much trouble I could have saved myself if we had just let the WL transfer everything? Live and learn.

Paul was ready for a hot bath and a nap. He told me to go to MK, find the kids and have fun. Sadly I left without him and went to the bus stop. I was bundled up in a scarf and feeling cold, although it wasn't really that cold out. Deep down inside I knew going to MK was a mistake but I was refusing to admit it. On the bus to MK the feeling grew deeper. It was like all the adrenaline of the morning had left my body and now I was tired. But it was our last day so I pressed on.

I entered the most magical park of all but not able to feel any of it. There was a parade going on (not the Christmas one) in Town Square and the place was packed. It seemed like it would be hard to go down Main Street so I went in the Kodak building and had them combine my photopass cards on to one.

I called Jeff to see where they were. They were outside the Tiki birds and told me to meet them there. It was slow going in all the crowds but I found them. They had found a good spot to watch MVMCP a little earlier:

We went in to see the Tiki show. Once we were seated for the show I "rested" my eyes and didn't open them till it was over.

I realized at that point this day wasn't going to get better and there was no sense trying to fight it anymore. Outside the theater I sat down and explained the situation to the kids. It was 4:00 and we had a reservation at Crystal Palace at 6:45. I knew there was no way I could hold out that long. Sadly I told the kids I was going to leave. Laura said she would come with me. Jeff and Kelsee would stay and keep our reservation. I told them when they checked in to just let them know there were only two instead of five and the rest of your group was sick (well Laura wasn't but close enough.)

Laura and I exited the Magic Kingdom and as I went through the turnstyles one last time and saw the message overhead that said "See ya real soon" I had tears roll down my face. It wasn't supposed to end like this. Its always sad to leave Disney World but the sadness is worse when things haven't ended well.

There was a short line at the Pop bus stop. Since the Magic Kingdom was so crowded I was glad to not be waiting for a bus at the end of the day with all those people. While we were waiting we called Paul to check on him and let him know we were coming back. He had just been ready to leave Pop and meet us at Magic Kingdom. Whatever the doctor prescribed for him he was feeling no more pain. When he heard we were coming back he said he would just stay there and wait for us.

On the bus a lady was sharing her life history with me. She was also concerned the bus driver wasn't taking us to Pop. I wasn't in the mood to talk but she was nice and didn't know how I was feeling so it wasn't her fault.

Laura and I stopped in the food court before going back to our room and got a couple of pieces of cheesecake. I got a tye dyed one that I remembered were so good. Laura got a plain one.

Back in the room when we thought about all we were missing we briefly regretted leaving and at 5:45 considered going back to make our 6:45 dinner reservations. But after I sat on the bed for a minute I knew I wasn't going anywhere. Pure exhaustion took over. Whatever reserves I had built up from resting the day before were entirely spent by the activities of the morning and afternoon. We had been talking about some options for dinner and I had been trying to think of some less popular restaurants at a resort where we could get a last minute reservation. Paul wanted to go to Coronado Springs because we ate there years ago and it was great. We had three TS meals on the dining plan left to be used that would expire at midnight.

Unfortunately after sitting on the bed for a few minutes I said I only had to strength to go to the food court at Pop. And additionally, after a few more minutes I didn't have the energy to do even that.

Paul and Laura went to the food court for dinner. I said I didn't know if there would be any issues with using a TS credit at a CS location but I thought it would be fine. Paul got salmon, Laura a cheeseburger. Pitiful use of our last TS credits. A manager had to be called because the card wouldn't work, which I am sure must have been because we had no remaining CS credits. They watched the Disney channel while eating in the food court.

They came back to the room and found me right where I was when they left - in bed. You know how when you get x-rays at the dentist and they put a heavy lead apron over you? That's exactly how I felt, like I was being held down by an unseen weight.

Jeff and Kelsee came back later after going to dinner at Crystal Palace . . . .

. . . . and seeing Spectro.

They hurried to the buses immediately after the parade and before Wishes so they missed the crowds.

I woke up and Paul went to the food court to bring me back something for dinner using our final TS credit. I told him to just get a cheeseburger because I couldn't think of anything that sounded good. He brought it back and I ate one bite then went back to sleep for the rest of the night.

Best part of the day: Paul feeling better. Also Jeff said he enjoyed being alone with Kelsee at MK because it felt like they were on a date hanging out and going to dinner just the two of them. I'm glad the day is a happy memory for them and that Laura was able to have some fun too.

Worst part of the day: Seeing the day crash and burn and having no idea when we will be back. And even though we were all wearing our cute as all get out matching shirts we never got even one picture of us wearing them! Not one!

 

[klj27]

I am so sorry those are your last memories of MK. That only means one thing..... it is time to start planning another trip.

 

[winkers]

Uggg! What an awful way to end your trip! I'm glad Jeff ended up feeling better.

Not to self.......Never do a split stay! Just seems like too much hassle.

I was looking forward to seeing you in your stick figure shirts! What a bummer.

How is all the mission prep going?

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I'm getting a headache just reading this ... you poor dear! What a lousy last day at MK.

As you said, at least Jeff and Kelsee had a fun evening together.

You know ... maybe a bird poop is a bad sign. On my first trip to WDW I was happily rocking in a chair while eating an ice cream at Aunt Polly's when a bird pooped on my knee. Two days later, I was in bed with a sore throat and body aches (at the Wilderness Lodge!) watching the Monica Lewinsky story break on TV (while medicating myself with $12 Tylenol and $15 throat lozenges from the gift shop .... ).

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Why did Laura go back with you. I'm pretty sure my kids would've said, "See ya," as they ran to the next ride. I think my DH would've left me, too!

Ya, know, things happen for a reason. Maybe J and K needed that time alone. You'll never know. It's all in His hands, isn't it?

 

[Liz]

I am so sorry those are your last memories of MK. That only means one thing..... it is time to start planning another trip.

I wish I could start planning another trip! We have gotten so spoiled going once a year but now I have no idea when we can go back.

Uggg! What an awful way to end your trip! I'm glad Jeff ended up feeling better.

Not to self.......Never do a split stay! Just seems like too much hassle.

I was looking forward to seeing you in your stick figure shirts! What a bummer.

How is all the mission prep going?

A lot of people love split stays but its just not for us. I always unpack instead of living out of a suitcase but this time we never did because we always had in our mind that we had to move again. Definitely not our style.

Well mission prep is going well. We "donated" $1,300 to Mr. Mac and we still aren't done. Sometimes it seems like April 2nd will never get here but most of the time its racing here way too fast.

I'm getting a headache just reading this ... you poor dear! What a lousy last day at MK.

As you said, at least Jeff and Kelsee had a fun evening together.

You know ... maybe a bird poop is a bad sign. On my first trip to WDW I was happily rocking in a chair while eating an ice cream at Aunt Polly's when a bird pooped on my knee. Two days later, I was in bed with a sore throat and body aches (at the Wilderness Lodge!) watching the Monica Lewinsky story break on TV (while medicating myself with $12 Tylenol and $15 throat lozenges from the gift shop .... ).

Oh dear! You got the "bird poop flu"! I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time!

Why did Laura go back with you. I'm pretty sure my kids would've said, "See ya," as they ran to the next ride. I think my DH would've left me, too!

Ya, know, things happen for a reason. Maybe J and K needed that time alone. You'll never know. It's all in His hands, isn't it?

Laura doesn't always have the stamina the rest of us have due to her health problems (which is why we got her a wheelchair at Epcot one day) so that's probably why she was fine going back after being at MK for about half a day. She didn't say this but maybe she felt like a 3rd wheel being there with Jeff & Kelsee, I dunno.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

I actually wondered about that third wheel thing.