Blueeyes101817
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2004
- Messages
- 24,415
i love reading your trip report! the pictures are beautiful! you have a good looking family!!! love the pirates!
9/16-10/3 The trip that dreams are made of....
- Thread starter jaycns
- Start date
SerinaEmily
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 364
Can I just say again I love your trip report? You are so so blessed to have such wonderful memories of such a magical trip!
I'm totally liking the idea of the scuba message at Coral Reef for my husbands birthday on our next trip. They only dive certain times of the day though right? How do I know when to make my ADR for Coral Reef to ensure we'll be there during a dive and so I can then call the manager (do you remember the managers name lol?) and make the arrangements?
I'm totally liking the idea of the scuba message at Coral Reef for my husbands birthday on our next trip. They only dive certain times of the day though right? How do I know when to make my ADR for Coral Reef to ensure we'll be there during a dive and so I can then call the manager (do you remember the managers name lol?) and make the arrangements?
jaycns
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 6,953
The final night...
Being as it was our last night, I didn't want to hurry back. We walked slowly to the monorail platform and for the last time....requested an upfront ride. We had to wait one coming and going...but the boys and I had our final ride up front. It was once again magical...but in a very sad sort of way. We would not be doing this again for at least a year's time...that thought kept cycling through my mind...but it didn't stop me from seeing the tired yet elated smiles on my boys faces. Nobody talked much in those few minutes. We just sat there with big grins and looked out at the dark world of Disney (although I spent equal time looking at my boys looking at Disney). We did talk with the monorail pilot a bit. I told him that tonight was our last night and told him a bit about our vacation and how we didn't want to "wake up" from our dream vacation. While we were riding he didn't say anything out of the ordinary...but as we stepped off on to the platform at the Poly he called out after us "We'll be seeing you soon. Safe travels and best wishes for a quick return." I think that was the NICEST thing anyone has ever said to me before.
Best wishes for a quick return to Disney! 
That was just the best salutation ever! 
As we walked slowly back to our long house I could tell the time was catching up with everyone. Upon our return we entered and saw our first turn down...this surprised me. I had requested turn down service upon check in...but it had not happened previously. **TIP** You can request turn down service in ANY room at any deluxe resort at Disney. They do it automatically for concierge guests but will do it upon request for others as well.** Although we had a bit of a non reaction to that request at the Poly (technically they will provide it if they are able...but in no other instance have we ever requested and not gotten it at WDW) it was a nice touch at the Contemporary. BUT back to the night at hand...as we walked in we saw that our beds had actually been turned down and a small sweet little towel (actually wash cloth
) animal was perched on a pillow...he was the sweetest little rabbit! "Goofy" lay claim to him and the other boys were nice enough to go along with that. After everyone had peeked at our newest friend, we sent the kids in to clean up and then we tucked them into bed.
The snacks we had gotten were still in a big Disney bag (upon seeing the little towel rabbit the boys had forgotten all about a midnight snack and drifted happily off to sleep). Dh and I grabbed a few of the snack bags and took them out on to the balcony. He left his chair facing the now empty and really quiet and serene quiet pool area and I turned mine to the right and faced Cinderella's castle in the distance. It was about 1:00 AM by the time we sat down out there and we had a LONG drive ahead of us in the morning....but we stayed out there holding hands and talking about our family and our vacation for a little over an hour. Finally, eyelids would not remain open and yawns were becoming more and more frequent so (after one last long look at Cinderella's castle changing colors off in the distance) we quietly snuck in off of the balcony (no sense waking a child when you are drop dead tired) and fell asleep almost instantly.
Upon waking the next morning I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach...today I would find the dreaded envelope hanging from my doorknob. And upon opening the door...sure enough, it was there. It was really time to go home (to our other home...the one where they send our mail ). I spent about an hour finishing up the packing while dh and the boys took one last dip in the quiet pool (that volcano pool looks great and would have been awesome had it not been so cold...it was just too cold for comfort). Then we tossed their wet trunks in a ziploc and headed down for one final go at the breakfast platters and tonga toast. We also used up our remaining snack credits as well (we didn't have "that" many left over...but we were all able to get a drink and some sort of snack to bring for the long drive).
Breakfast eaten, dh ran back to the room and lugged our luggage to the car. While he did that, the boys and I did a final quick shop and picked up some last minute "had to have" toys for the drive back. And then all too soon dh walked into the store and told us it was time to hit the road.
So we made our final purchases and walked out...dh and I arm in arm and the boys holding hands. Although we (me especially and dh not at all...he was excited to get home) were sad that it was time to leave...it was more of a subdued sort of feeling...afterall...it's really hard to be down after spending almost three weeks at WDW!! I had just lived my very own dream come true at the place I love most with the people I love most (and some very dear friends thrown in on top of it all).
Our trip home seemed to take ages (in reality it was a little over 14 hours with stops) and although I was happy to drive in our gate, over our bridge and then walk into our very own home and finally lay down in my very own bed...as I started to drift quickly off to sleep...my little mind was already planning ways to get back to WDW ASAP!
TO BE CONTINUED (yes even now...I have a few "final thoughts")...
Being as it was our last night, I didn't want to hurry back. We walked slowly to the monorail platform and for the last time....requested an upfront ride. We had to wait one coming and going...but the boys and I had our final ride up front. It was once again magical...but in a very sad sort of way. We would not be doing this again for at least a year's time...that thought kept cycling through my mind...but it didn't stop me from seeing the tired yet elated smiles on my boys faces. Nobody talked much in those few minutes. We just sat there with big grins and looked out at the dark world of Disney (although I spent equal time looking at my boys looking at Disney). We did talk with the monorail pilot a bit. I told him that tonight was our last night and told him a bit about our vacation and how we didn't want to "wake up" from our dream vacation. While we were riding he didn't say anything out of the ordinary...but as we stepped off on to the platform at the Poly he called out after us "We'll be seeing you soon. Safe travels and best wishes for a quick return." I think that was the NICEST thing anyone has ever said to me before.
Best wishes for a quick return to Disney! That was just the best salutation ever! As we walked slowly back to our long house I could tell the time was catching up with everyone. Upon our return we entered and saw our first turn down...this surprised me. I had requested turn down service upon check in...but it had not happened previously. **TIP** You can request turn down service in ANY room at any deluxe resort at Disney. They do it automatically for concierge guests but will do it upon request for others as well.** Although we had a bit of a non reaction to that request at the Poly (technically they will provide it if they are able...but in no other instance have we ever requested and not gotten it at WDW) it was a nice touch at the Contemporary. BUT back to the night at hand...as we walked in we saw that our beds had actually been turned down and a small sweet little towel (actually wash cloth
) animal was perched on a pillow...he was the sweetest little rabbit! "Goofy" lay claim to him and the other boys were nice enough to go along with that. After everyone had peeked at our newest friend, we sent the kids in to clean up and then we tucked them into bed. The snacks we had gotten were still in a big Disney bag (upon seeing the little towel rabbit the boys had forgotten all about a midnight snack and drifted happily off to sleep). Dh and I grabbed a few of the snack bags and took them out on to the balcony. He left his chair facing the now empty and really quiet and serene quiet pool area and I turned mine to the right and faced Cinderella's castle in the distance. It was about 1:00 AM by the time we sat down out there and we had a LONG drive ahead of us in the morning....but we stayed out there holding hands and talking about our family and our vacation for a little over an hour. Finally, eyelids would not remain open and yawns were becoming more and more frequent so (after one last long look at Cinderella's castle changing colors off in the distance) we quietly snuck in off of the balcony (no sense waking a child when you are drop dead tired) and fell asleep almost instantly.
Upon waking the next morning I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach...today I would find the dreaded envelope hanging from my doorknob. And upon opening the door...sure enough, it was there. It was really time to go home (to our other home...the one where they send our mail
). I spent about an hour finishing up the packing while dh and the boys took one last dip in the quiet pool (that volcano pool looks great and would have been awesome had it not been so cold...it was just too cold for comfort). Then we tossed their wet trunks in a ziploc and headed down for one final go at the breakfast platters and tonga toast. We also used up our remaining snack credits as well (we didn't have "that" many left over...but we were all able to get a drink and some sort of snack to bring for the long drive). Breakfast eaten, dh ran back to the room and lugged our luggage to the car. While he did that, the boys and I did a final quick shop and picked up some last minute "had to have" toys for the drive back. And then all too soon dh walked into the store and told us it was time to hit the road.
So we made our final purchases and walked out...dh and I arm in arm and the boys holding hands. Although we (me especially and dh not at all...he was excited to get home) were sad that it was time to leave...it was more of a subdued sort of feeling...afterall...it's really hard to be down after spending almost three weeks at WDW!! I had just lived my very own dream come true at the place I love most with the people I love most (and some very dear friends thrown in on top of it all).
Our trip home seemed to take ages (in reality it was a little over 14 hours with stops) and although I was happy to drive in our gate, over our bridge and then walk into our very own home and finally lay down in my very own bed...as I started to drift quickly off to sleep...my little mind was already planning ways to get back to WDW ASAP!
TO BE CONTINUED (yes even now...I have a few "final thoughts")...
kimwim8
<font color=red>Won't admit to anything<br><font c
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2003
- Messages
- 5,659
What a wonderful, wonderful trip you and your family had! Thanks again for sharing it with us! I love all of the pictures and the details (and tips) you've shared! I had no idea about the green lanyards! 
I'll be sad when your report is over.
Thanks again for sharing it with us! I love all of the pictures and the details (and tips) you've shared! I had no idea about the green lanyards! I'll be sad when your report is over.
Grumpy's Wife
Dollar Tree gal here
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2005
- Messages
- 26,988
Love your pictures Jay and your Pirate Family is just adorable!
jaycns
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 6,953
WOW...it's just about that time frame (anything under 20 days really) and I start to go a bit stir crazy waiting on leaving for an upcoming vacation! I am so glad that you are on your "final countdown"...maybe you will feel led to write a trip report upon your return??!! I sure hope so! I am a sucker for reading trip reports!! Thanks for sticking with me through such a LONG trip report...if there is one thing nobody will accuse me of being...it is a woman of too few words...Great pics and more great installments! Just twiddling my thumbs for 18 more days, so I appreciate the entertainment. Can't wait to read the rest . . .
HAVE FUN ON VACATION!! Enjoy the magic!!
jaycns
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 6,953
Serina you can say that as many times as you want
But seriously...I know I am blessed. I have three wonderful boys, a loving husband AND I got to go to Disney... what more could a girl ask for??!! I treasure those memories beyond anything. I figure, when you "go" you cannot even begin to hope to take anything with you...but the memories and the love....thus, my treasures are my memories and the love I can give and share in. Mush, mush, mush, WHAT is wrong with me??!! I think it's the weepy "it's almost over" feeling that I have been reliving in these last installments. Or that will be my excuse. 
About the Coral Reef dive first make your ADRs...lunch is much easier to get a dive booked for then dinner. This is because (at least from what I was told in planning it for dh) that the diver "goes home" at 6:00 (it may have even been a bit earlier). So, allowing for a wait to be seated and getting to the table and settling in, etc...it might cut it close to try for anything but a very early dinner (ie 4:30 or something very close to that). SO....we chose lunch. Which was just as good (in my opinion).
Anyhoo...first make your ADRs. While you are on the phone making your ADRs ask for the DIRECT PHONE NUMBER for the Coral Reef. When you call...ask to speak to someone about the possibilty of having a diver hold up a sign for you. I have PMed you the name of the person I spoke with. I have once again misplaced something important and can no longer find the direct number for the Coral Reef or I would have PMed ya that too. You see...it really is a disease...I misplace things related to Disney all of the time...vacation photos, park tickets, phone numbers, notes, etc. In real life, I really don't have half as much troulbe!
Make sure you get your ADRs set as soon as you can and then call the Coral Reef. I felt much better getting it on the books and I think I made arrangements about 2 months before we went. It's such a rare oppurtunity and so much fun!
Last tidbit is don't forget to ask if they could also make up a personalized menu for your dh! That is one of my favorite keepsakes of our last vacation (and of our wedding anniversary). It was a really neat thing! I was able to send them pictures and a message that they inserted into the menu! I have to say, the staff at the Coral Reef are second to none when it comes to doing up a special occasion!!
Good luck!!
momoftriplets
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2005
- Messages
- 645
Please, Jay, please!!!!! Say it ain't so!!!! It can't be over!!! I refuse to go away!! I have truly enjoyed your TR!! (I know, go easy on the !!!!.) I'm bummed it's over. Can't wait to hear your final thoughts. Are you planning a Pre-trip report for the next one? Please post a link for us. Thanks so much for posting. I feel as if I've come to know your wonderful family. Have a great day!
Barb
Barb
Oh I have really enjoyed your report, I am sad it is over! Between yours and Cass' they are both just fantastic trips that I'll never do (yours so long and hers so Platinum!), it is nice to live vicariously through you both!
Any new trips booked yet???
Allyson
Any new trips booked yet???
Allyson
MouseTriper
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2006
- Messages
- 1,921
No, no, no! Tell me it isn't true, this trip report can not be over.! It simply can't!!! I have truely enjoyed reading all about your magical adventures at Walt Disney World. Your boys are absolutely adorable, all three of them! You truely are blessed with a wonderful family. After reading your TR I am afraid to write one of my own, not having gotten past my pre-trip report! We got back December 13th and I am working on our 1st ever Disney scrapbook. I remember you mentioning you wanted to have enough pictures of the boy's favorite rides for your scrapbook spreads! Just curious if you are planning on sharing those scrapbook pages with all of us DIS people as well?? Laughing....you know you have all these fans so please say yes!!!
Now one more last thing....please hurry and plan another trip soon so I have another TR to read in the "near future"!!! Your TR has been my favorite of all times!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beth
Now one more last thing....please hurry and plan another trip soon so I have another TR to read in the "near future"!!! Your TR has been my favorite of all times!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beth
jaycns
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 6,953
My final thoughts...
First off...I want to give credit where credit is due...I thank God for the chance our family had. We have been given so very much and I know we are blessed beyond belief to have the chance to live out our dream in real life.
Also, without dh being such a wonderful and giving man (he REALLY is NOT into Disney anywhere NEAR the way the boys and I are) there would be no Disney vacations for this family. So I am thankful for that too.
Last (but not least!) I am thankful for having three such wonderful little guys to take with me to Disney (and everywhere else we go). Without them Disney wouldn't be the same (although I would still love it).
Now that the major credits are given...let me "list" my way through the trip.
The best of the best!!
1. Finding the place that (for our family at least) is truly the gem of WDW, the Contemporary Resort. So magical being in the middle of it all. So peaceful in our room looking out and seeing only trees and water (and the electrical light parade). It was a slice of heaven on earth! If you are thinking about trying the Contemporary...DO IT! I think it would be very hard not to fall head over heels in love!
2.The extra magic that Disney CM's worked to provide us. From the busboy at PVH who brought out a slice of birthday cake to our birthday "Goofy" and took the time to point out a hidden Mickey and really "talk" to our family to the security CM at TL who took the time to provide us with comfort and reassurance and went beyond the extra mile to make sure we found our lost water proof case. From the TL CM who gave us water and sunscreen when we were frying and locked out of our car with no keys, cards or money (thanks to losing the above waterproof case) to the CM at the CR's check in desk who made a big deal about our birthday boy at check in and had special surprises sent up for him. From the CMs at the rides who let us "go again" to the CM who wrote us a special pass for being the "happiest family". From the Chef Mickey's photographer who suggested letting our littlest creature celebrate an unbirthday to the Miyuki at Epcot in Japan...that woman is a wonder! We love Miyuki!!! From Teddy our server on the Magic with all of his attention, jokes and magic tricks to Elsa our stateroom hostess on the Magic who was not only a perfect housekeeper but a sweet and charming person. From Jaimee our favorite photographer who took the time to coax smiles from our "Stitch" even though he was NOT all smiles to just about every CM we passed. The smiles and happy words we exchanged added countless magic moments to our trip!
3. Going in September (okay a few days fell over into October...but you know what I mean). OFF SEASON=AWESOME SEASON! Walking on to rides mid morning. Sleeping in until 9:00 AM and still beating the crowds!! Also, an aside here...TOUR GUIDE MIKE ROCKS!! I think he is SOO worth it. We have used his services 4 times now and I will continue to use them! Less then $20 made a LOT of difference! Even the off season has busier times at certain parks...knowing how to avoid those...priceless!!
4. The dining plan...more food then we could eat!! It was nice to have it for free....but I would even *gasp* pay for it out of pocket! It was a very nice addition to our vacation!! I am hooked!!
5. Using DIS board tips such as how to rack up the points on Buzz Lightyear and MANY others. I gleaned so much GREAT info from the DIS that I cannot even begin to list it all!! THANK YOU DIS!!
6. Ordering gift baskets to be in our staterooms at the start of the cruise. Shirley at the Perfect Gift is flat out AMAZING at pulling together great gift baskets!! She is also just a sweetheart of a woman as well!! Here is her contact info: phone number is 1-800-950-4559 or take a look at her website http://www.theperfectgift.cc/
7.Taking many pictures on the Magic and buying a package so we could take almost all of them home with us! It was a great chance for many family pictures!! And not a bad deal in comparison to the normal prices.
8.The kids getting free t-shirts and graduation Mickey ears at the Disney Sea University graduation show. It was a very neat thing for them to be up on stage with Mickey Mouse himself (and Minnie too).
9.Well...this list would go on and on if I didn't cut if off....Disney is the number one customer service organization in the world! I LOVE Disney!
The bad
1.That roach infested motel in Valdosta...never again will I EVER stay at a Day's Inn (I know, I am unfairly judging them all based on one...but after that night...I am NOT willing to give it another go...ish...skin crawling still ISH
!! Don't go by website information for motels you have never seen...I should have asked for a DISer approved place to stay If we ever feel the need to stop along the way again...I WILL!!
2. Losing some of our photographs. LEARN from our mistakes. ALWAYS double check that you have your cds...don't just click "burn to cd and then erase your media card assuming they have been copied. Also...don't misplace those cd's once they are burned. I promise it is one of the worst post trip discoveries to find out you are missing pictures. UGH!!
3.WATERPROOF CASES AT WATER PARKS (or anywhere for that matter). DO NOT use them! Those suckers do not stay on. Especially in the wave pool at TL. SKIP THEM! Pop for the locker (which is cheaper anyway) and skip it all together. Find a way to carry your key to the world card in a zipped pocket...something...anything other then the dreaded waterproof case!! And if you do use one....don't put anything you would mind losing in it!! Once again, learn from our bad!
4. "Aladdin" getting sick (land and sea ). Having a sick little guy is never any fun...but having one on vacation is even more worrisome...not your normal doctors...not knowing what it will do to his vacation time. Just NOT fun. However, the clinic where dh and "Aladdin" were directed by the concierge desk was wonderful. They patched him up and did a fine job of ensuring he was okay. In a pinch, you can feel comfortable using them!!
5.????? I know I must have "been unhappy" about something else...but really, I cannot place anything else at all!
Our top 25 most treasured vacation memories!
1.Watching the electrical light parade from our room at the Contemporary, eating birthday cake. Just sitting there, everyone being so happy and our dream of a vacation having only just begun.
2.The boys playing on the beach late at night. Playing pirates, building sandcastles, running like bandits. Dh and I swinging on the hammocks and dragging our toes through the white sand. Ahh....those were some mighty fine moments!!
3.Surprising dh at the Coral Reef with personalized menus and a diver holding up a sign...and on top of celebrating our anniversary there...the wonderful CM thinking (on her own) of including a sign for "Goofy's" birthday on the back of our anniversary sign! It was a most magical meal!!
4.Chip giving "Stitch" a Chip pin after he saw his Chip and Dale pin collection. That was SWEET magic that could never be bought but was worth more then we could have paid!! Our little "Stitch" smiled from ear to ear and then some! It was his moment and he shined (with happiness that is).
5. A silly yet awesome memory is just being flat our soaked to the bone while riding Splash Mountain. It was amazing how much water fell from the sky and into our log! We all felt like fish...but the fun of laughing so hard it hurt at the soaking we were getting...that is a great memory!!
6. Another top of the trip memory (actually one of the tops of my LIFE) is standing in the rain watching Wishes at the flagpole (wondering how they were shooting off fireworks in such a rain) with dh's warm arms wrapped around me and seeing the boys with their arms all linked around each other heads leaned on each other's shoulders. It was like time stopped and we were in our own little world. It was a moment out of time for sure. One memory I will ALWAYS treasure!!
7. "Stitch" and Figment spending about 5 minutes playing together. And although the real picture was lost....I will never forget the two of them touching noses together. Just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.
8. Watching the MNSSHP fireworks from the fire escape stairway at the Contemporary. Thanks for the great tip DIS boards!! It felt like Disney was putting those on for our family alone! It was a GREAT time! And once again, sitting here in the quiet, I can still here the booms and the music filtering up to us from the viewing deck below. I can still feel dh's arms wrapped tight and feel how sweet it felt to put my arms around the boys' shoulders.
9. Sitting on the top deck watching as people on shore waved us farewell as we headed out of Port Canaveral aboard the Disney Magic. Big huge arms over heads waves...a drink in my hand...my feet up on the railing. Surrounded by my family and very good friends. In that moment...I knew life was sweeter then ever!!
10. Holding "Goofy's" hand and eating pizza up on deck at midnight on the first night of our cruise...just sitting there together and talking about all that was still to come. It was great!!
11. Watching "Match Your Mate" and seeing Gary DeLena's stand up comedy show with dh on the Disney Magic. Those shows had me in tears I was laughing so hard. And my sides HURT...but I will never forget sharing a cocktail with dh and both of us laughing so hard we could barely breathe and just holding hands and slapping knees. It was a great time.
12.Having tea with Wendy Darling (well...mostly I cared about being with my boys). Iced tea and tasty cookies were huge hit with all of us and having mom/son time in such a fun way...well, that is one tea party that was tops with me!!
13.Watching the sunset during a quick dinner break one night on the Magic. Watching the sunrise from our room at the Contemporary. Both of those sights took my breath away!!
14.Our entire day at Grand Cayman. The limestone spires in Hell. BEAUTIFUL!! WOW!!! The snorkeling with dh. What fun we had together!! What colorful fish we saw! Watching our boys each get the chance to hold a real live sea turtle in their little hands. WOW! That was amazing (so was holding one myself too).
15.The Captain's Gala dinner aboard the Magic. LOBSTER and Chocolate Lava Cake....oh oh oh oh oh!! SOOOO good!
16.The time we spent at Paradise Beach in Cozumel, Mexico. The food, the fun, the view, the water. It was all well, simply put paradise!!
17.Being right up front for the Pirates IN the Caribbean Party. Dancing the night away with my little pirates. That was so much fun!!
18.An afternoon spent watching the flying fish jump out of the ocean, glide and then fall back into the brilliant blue waters.
19. The "Goofy" and mom sting ray snorkel (and feeding) at Castaway Cay. We were the only two members at our station. It was amazing to feed the gentle gliding creatures. It was also a whole lot of fun to snorkel out among them without "Goofy". He is a snorkeling fool! It was also fun to see him touch a sting ray and a starfish!! That was an afternoon to remember!! "Goofy" and I had so much fun together!!
20.Meeting up with family for a surprise afternoon of fun at Epcot...and while there...looking like the queen of all Disney knowledge thanks to way toooooooo much time spent DISing!!
21."Aladdin" and the talking tree. Watching your son have so much fun and laugh so hard with a talking tree is just memorable in it's own funky yet funny way!
22.Having our very own "Year of a Million Dreams" small dreams granted. We had the free snack and fast pass that came with little dinosaur finger puppets for the kids and special YoMD tinkerbell pins for dh and I. We had our little musical interlude outside of Mickey's Philharmagic. And we had our free late night snacks on our very last night at MK. All of those things were attributed to the YoMD by the cast members gracing us with them. And we were oh so happy! Imagine if we would have been given a big dream! I think we might have all passed out!!
23.The special night I had with "Aladdin" at the Magic Kingdom during late night EMH. That was a highlight of the entire year for me. I felt like I gained a glimpse into his world and I liked what I saw. I also felt like a kid again and felt so enraptured with my "date" and the place we were that I still swear in remembering it that we must have floated through the night.
24.Dressing up as the "pirate family" for MNSSHP. The entire time we had there...the parade (best one at WDW), the empty lines for rides, the creepy costumes at the Haunted Mansion, "Stitch" finding his own Jack Skellington doll, just all of it. Holding "Goofy's" hand as we walked. Seeing the fireworks go off all around us. Watching the ghosts float over the castle. We loved this night!! Riding BTMRR with our friends in the dark and also riding Splash Mountain as the clock struck midnight and for that one second pausing at the top of the last big drop on Splash and seeing the castle lit up and the lights and knowing we were living our dream! It was pure magic. No two ways about it!!
25.Sitting on our balcony at the Poly watching the colors wash over Cinderella's castle and holding dh's hand and talking about our life, our family and the fun we had this vacation. Ahhhh 
First off...I want to give credit where credit is due...I thank God for the chance our family had. We have been given so very much and I know we are blessed beyond belief to have the chance to live out our dream in real life.
Also, without dh being such a wonderful and giving man (he REALLY is NOT into Disney anywhere NEAR the way the boys and I are) there would be no Disney vacations for this family. So I am thankful for that too.
Last (but not least!) I am thankful for having three such wonderful little guys to take with me to Disney (and everywhere else we go). Without them Disney wouldn't be the same (although I would still love it).
Now that the major credits are given...let me "list" my way through the trip.
The best of the best!!
1. Finding the place that (for our family at least) is truly the gem of WDW, the Contemporary Resort. So magical being in the middle of it all. So peaceful in our room looking out and seeing only trees and water (and the electrical light parade). It was a slice of heaven on earth! If you are thinking about trying the Contemporary...DO IT! I think it would be very hard not to fall head over heels in love!
2.The extra magic that Disney CM's worked to provide us. From the busboy at PVH who brought out a slice of birthday cake to our birthday "Goofy" and took the time to point out a hidden Mickey and really "talk" to our family to the security CM at TL who took the time to provide us with comfort and reassurance and went beyond the extra mile to make sure we found our lost water proof case. From the TL CM who gave us water and sunscreen when we were frying and locked out of our car with no keys, cards or money (thanks to losing the above waterproof case) to the CM at the CR's check in desk who made a big deal about our birthday boy at check in and had special surprises sent up for him. From the CMs at the rides who let us "go again" to the CM who wrote us a special pass for being the "happiest family". From the Chef Mickey's photographer who suggested letting our littlest creature celebrate an unbirthday to the Miyuki at Epcot in Japan...that woman is a wonder! We love Miyuki!!! From Teddy our server on the Magic with all of his attention, jokes and magic tricks to Elsa our stateroom hostess on the Magic who was not only a perfect housekeeper but a sweet and charming person. From Jaimee our favorite photographer who took the time to coax smiles from our "Stitch" even though he was NOT all smiles to just about every CM we passed. The smiles and happy words we exchanged added countless magic moments to our trip!
3. Going in September (okay a few days fell over into October...but you know what I mean). OFF SEASON=AWESOME SEASON! Walking on to rides mid morning. Sleeping in until 9:00 AM and still beating the crowds!! Also, an aside here...TOUR GUIDE MIKE ROCKS!! I think he is SOO worth it. We have used his services 4 times now and I will continue to use them! Less then $20 made a LOT of difference! Even the off season has busier times at certain parks...knowing how to avoid those...priceless!!
4. The dining plan...more food then we could eat!! It was nice to have it for free....but I would even *gasp* pay for it out of pocket! It was a very nice addition to our vacation!! I am hooked!!
5. Using DIS board tips such as how to rack up the points on Buzz Lightyear and MANY others. I gleaned so much GREAT info from the DIS that I cannot even begin to list it all!! THANK YOU DIS!!
6. Ordering gift baskets to be in our staterooms at the start of the cruise. Shirley at the Perfect Gift is flat out AMAZING at pulling together great gift baskets!! She is also just a sweetheart of a woman as well!! Here is her contact info: phone number is 1-800-950-4559 or take a look at her website http://www.theperfectgift.cc/
7.Taking many pictures on the Magic and buying a package so we could take almost all of them home with us! It was a great chance for many family pictures!! And not a bad deal in comparison to the normal prices.
8.The kids getting free t-shirts and graduation Mickey ears at the Disney Sea University graduation show. It was a very neat thing for them to be up on stage with Mickey Mouse himself (and Minnie too).
9.Well...this list would go on and on if I didn't cut if off....Disney is the number one customer service organization in the world! I LOVE Disney!
The bad
1.That roach infested motel in Valdosta...never again will I EVER stay at a Day's Inn (I know, I am unfairly judging them all based on one...but after that night...I am NOT willing to give it another go...ish...skin crawling still ISH
!! Don't go by website information for motels you have never seen...I should have asked for a DISer approved place to stay If we ever feel the need to stop along the way again...I WILL!!2. Losing some of our photographs. LEARN from our mistakes. ALWAYS double check that you have your cds...don't just click "burn to cd and then erase your media card assuming they have been copied. Also...don't misplace those cd's once they are burned. I promise it is one of the worst post trip discoveries to find out you are missing pictures. UGH!!
3.WATERPROOF CASES AT WATER PARKS (or anywhere for that matter). DO NOT use them! Those suckers do not stay on. Especially in the wave pool at TL. SKIP THEM! Pop for the locker (which is cheaper anyway) and skip it all together. Find a way to carry your key to the world card in a zipped pocket...something...anything other then the dreaded waterproof case!! And if you do use one....don't put anything you would mind losing in it!! Once again, learn from our bad!
4. "Aladdin" getting sick (land and sea
). Having a sick little guy is never any fun...but having one on vacation is even more worrisome...not your normal doctors...not knowing what it will do to his vacation time. Just NOT fun. However, the clinic where dh and "Aladdin" were directed by the concierge desk was wonderful. They patched him up and did a fine job of ensuring he was okay. In a pinch, you can feel comfortable using them!!5.????? I know I must have "been unhappy" about something else...but really, I cannot place anything else at all!
Our top 25 most treasured vacation memories!
1.Watching the electrical light parade from our room at the Contemporary, eating birthday cake. Just sitting there, everyone being so happy and our dream of a vacation having only just begun.
2.The boys playing on the beach late at night. Playing pirates, building sandcastles, running like bandits. Dh and I swinging on the hammocks and dragging our toes through the white sand. Ahh....those were some mighty fine moments!!
3.Surprising dh at the Coral Reef with personalized menus and a diver holding up a sign...and on top of celebrating our anniversary there...the wonderful CM thinking (on her own) of including a sign for "Goofy's" birthday on the back of our anniversary sign! It was a most magical meal!!
4.Chip giving "Stitch" a Chip pin after he saw his Chip and Dale pin collection. That was SWEET magic that could never be bought but was worth more then we could have paid!! Our little "Stitch" smiled from ear to ear and then some! It was his moment and he shined (with happiness that is).
5. A silly yet awesome memory is just being flat our soaked to the bone while riding Splash Mountain. It was amazing how much water fell from the sky and into our log! We all felt like fish...but the fun of laughing so hard it hurt at the soaking we were getting...that is a great memory!!
6. Another top of the trip memory (actually one of the tops of my LIFE) is standing in the rain watching Wishes at the flagpole (wondering how they were shooting off fireworks in such a rain) with dh's warm arms wrapped around me and seeing the boys with their arms all linked around each other heads leaned on each other's shoulders. It was like time stopped and we were in our own little world. It was a moment out of time for sure. One memory I will ALWAYS treasure!!
7. "Stitch" and Figment spending about 5 minutes playing together. And although the real picture was lost....I will never forget the two of them touching noses together. Just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.
8. Watching the MNSSHP fireworks from the fire escape stairway at the Contemporary. Thanks for the great tip DIS boards!! It felt like Disney was putting those on for our family alone! It was a GREAT time! And once again, sitting here in the quiet, I can still here the booms and the music filtering up to us from the viewing deck below. I can still feel dh's arms wrapped tight and feel how sweet it felt to put my arms around the boys' shoulders.
9. Sitting on the top deck watching as people on shore waved us farewell as we headed out of Port Canaveral aboard the Disney Magic. Big huge arms over heads waves...a drink in my hand...my feet up on the railing. Surrounded by my family and very good friends. In that moment...I knew life was sweeter then ever!!
10. Holding "Goofy's" hand and eating pizza up on deck at midnight on the first night of our cruise...just sitting there together and talking about all that was still to come. It was great!!
11. Watching "Match Your Mate" and seeing Gary DeLena's stand up comedy show with dh on the Disney Magic. Those shows had me in tears I was laughing so hard. And my sides HURT...but I will never forget sharing a cocktail with dh and both of us laughing so hard we could barely breathe and just holding hands and slapping knees. It was a great time.
12.Having tea with Wendy Darling (well...mostly I cared about being with my boys). Iced tea and tasty cookies were huge hit with all of us and having mom/son time in such a fun way...well, that is one tea party that was tops with me!!
13.Watching the sunset during a quick dinner break one night on the Magic. Watching the sunrise from our room at the Contemporary. Both of those sights took my breath away!!
14.Our entire day at Grand Cayman. The limestone spires in Hell. BEAUTIFUL!! WOW!!! The snorkeling with dh. What fun we had together!! What colorful fish we saw! Watching our boys each get the chance to hold a real live sea turtle in their little hands. WOW! That was amazing (so was holding one myself too).
15.The Captain's Gala dinner aboard the Magic. LOBSTER and Chocolate Lava Cake....oh oh oh oh oh!! SOOOO good!
16.The time we spent at Paradise Beach in Cozumel, Mexico. The food, the fun, the view, the water. It was all well, simply put paradise!!
17.Being right up front for the Pirates IN the Caribbean Party. Dancing the night away with my little pirates. That was so much fun!!
18.An afternoon spent watching the flying fish jump out of the ocean, glide and then fall back into the brilliant blue waters.
19. The "Goofy" and mom sting ray snorkel (and feeding) at Castaway Cay. We were the only two members at our station. It was amazing to feed the gentle gliding creatures. It was also a whole lot of fun to snorkel out among them without "Goofy". He is a snorkeling fool! It was also fun to see him touch a sting ray and a starfish!! That was an afternoon to remember!! "Goofy" and I had so much fun together!!
20.Meeting up with family for a surprise afternoon of fun at Epcot...and while there...looking like the queen of all Disney knowledge thanks to way toooooooo much time spent DISing!!
21."Aladdin" and the talking tree. Watching your son have so much fun and laugh so hard with a talking tree is just memorable in it's own funky yet funny way!
22.Having our very own "Year of a Million Dreams" small dreams granted. We had the free snack and fast pass that came with little dinosaur finger puppets for the kids and special YoMD tinkerbell pins for dh and I. We had our little musical interlude outside of Mickey's Philharmagic. And we had our free late night snacks on our very last night at MK. All of those things were attributed to the YoMD by the cast members gracing us with them. And we were oh so happy! Imagine if we would have been given a big dream!
I think we might have all passed out!! 23.The special night I had with "Aladdin" at the Magic Kingdom during late night EMH. That was a highlight of the entire year for me. I felt like I gained a glimpse into his world and I liked what I saw. I also felt like a kid again and felt so enraptured with my "date" and the place we were that I still swear in remembering it that we must have floated through the night.
24.Dressing up as the "pirate family" for MNSSHP. The entire time we had there...the parade (best one at WDW), the empty lines for rides, the creepy costumes at the Haunted Mansion, "Stitch" finding his own Jack Skellington doll, just all of it. Holding "Goofy's" hand as we walked. Seeing the fireworks go off all around us. Watching the ghosts float over the castle. We loved this night!! Riding BTMRR with our friends in the dark and also riding Splash Mountain as the clock struck midnight and for that one second pausing at the top of the last big drop on Splash and seeing the castle lit up and the lights and knowing we were living our dream! It was pure magic. No two ways about it!!
25.Sitting on our balcony at the Poly watching the colors wash over Cinderella's castle and holding dh's hand and talking about our life, our family and the fun we had this vacation. Ahhhh
Blueeyes101817
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2004
- Messages
- 24,415
Thank you SO Much for sharing this! i loved reading this entire report!
jaycns
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 6,953
Last but not least...I was asked repeatedly if I would chose the cruise or the land part of the vacation....my final answer on that one?? I cannot chose between the two!!
Right now (being as I have finally put the finishing chapter on this trip report) I am starting my new pre-trip report...I would welcome you all along for this trip as well. I have a poll up and would welcome opinions...my mind is spinning and I am looking for some feedback. THANKS!!! And THANK YOU....for reading this trip report that turned into a book. I fear I cannot find a way to make the next one shorter...long winded...that's just me...but I want you to know...you (all of you that posted and "relived" it with me are now good parts of my vacation memories. I am going to be printing out this thread and I am honored to be able to include your posts as part of our families scrapbook of memories from this past trip!
You can find my new pre-trip report by following this link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1313733
THANKS AGAIN!! I look forward to reading about all of YOUR upcoming or recent trips as well!
Right now (being as I have finally put the finishing chapter on this trip report) I am starting my new pre-trip report...I would welcome you all along for this trip as well. I have a poll up and would welcome opinions...my mind is spinning and I am looking for some feedback. THANKS!!! And THANK YOU....for reading this trip report that turned into a book. I fear I cannot find a way to make the next one shorter...long winded...that's just me...but I want you to know...you (all of you that posted and "relived" it with me are now good parts of my vacation memories. I am going to be printing out this thread and I am honored to be able to include your posts as part of our families scrapbook of memories from this past trip!
You can find my new pre-trip report by following this link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1313733
THANKS AGAIN!! I look forward to reading about all of YOUR upcoming or recent trips as well!
PrincessAlways
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2006
- Messages
- 2,379
Well, all good things come to an end. Your TR was such a joy to follow! Thanks for sharing your vacation memories with us!
Your TR was such a joy to follow! Thanks for sharing your vacation memories with us!
SoonerGirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2006
- Messages
- 4,850
OH NO!! Is it really over? 
Thanks so much for sharing your vacation with us. You have a beautiful family and such wonderful memories - Disney really should put you on the payroll, I wanna go NOW, and we just went in October! I enjoyed every minute of your TR, now I better hop over and check out the new pre-trippie!
Thanks so much for sharing your vacation with us. You have a beautiful family and such wonderful memories
- Disney really should put you on the payroll, I wanna go NOW, and we just went in October! I enjoyed every minute of your TR, now I better hop over and check out the new pre-trippie!
Grumpy's Wife
Dollar Tree gal here
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2005
- Messages
- 26,988
Jay your trip report was wonderful. I especially loved the ending with your favorite memories. I look forward to your next one. Keep up the good work.
tommygirl79
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2005
- Messages
- 810
BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it's over!!!!!
Is it possible to get PDSS (Post-Disney Stress Syndrome) from SOMEONE ELSE'S trip being over??????
Let me tell ya, that was hands down the most informative and fun trip report I have ever read. The mixture of great pictures, descriptive writing and fun you put into it was great! I felt your emotions through every chapter and truly felt a bit of the magic along with you! Thanks for putting so much time and effort into your writing!!! It's appreciated and I'm sure your boys will appreciate it in years to come when they can read through it....
You have done me proud - I am moving in 24 hours and you carried me through. I'm sure that was your goal, right??? I will most DEFINITELY be on board for the next trippie. After the move we are hoping to put our deposit down for a vacation in September or October. It's been a year almost to the day since we were there last year and I can't take it anymore - I GOTTA GO BACK!!!!!!! 
God Bless you and your family as He has done already.
Oh, and by the way, we love Indianapolis too - that's why we are moving there. We lived there for 3 1/2 years after we got married and are moving back!!! Isn't the Children's Museum the BEST!!!!
See ya soon!!!
Rachel
I can't believe it's over!!!!!Is it possible to get PDSS (Post-Disney Stress Syndrome) from SOMEONE ELSE'S trip being over??????
Let me tell ya, that was hands down the most informative and fun trip report I have ever read. The mixture of great pictures, descriptive writing and fun you put into it was great! I felt your emotions through every chapter and truly felt a bit of the magic along with you! Thanks for putting so much time and effort into your writing!!! It's appreciated and I'm sure your boys will appreciate it in years to come when they can read through it....
You have done me proud - I am moving in 24 hours and you carried me through. I'm sure that was your goal, right???
I will most DEFINITELY be on board for the next trippie. After the move we are hoping to put our deposit down for a vacation in September or October. It's been a year almost to the day since we were there last year and I can't take it anymore - I GOTTA GO BACK!!!!!!! God Bless you and your family as He has done already.
Oh, and by the way, we love Indianapolis too - that's why we are moving there. We lived there for 3 1/2 years after we got married and are moving back!!! Isn't the Children's Museum the BEST!!!!
See ya soon!!!
Rachel
DisneyObsession
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2006
- Messages
- 1,492
You had me laughing and crying while reading this TR!
I got teary eyed with your final thoughts/memories and really feel as though I have taken this trip with you!
Now to check your pre-trip reprt! (Are you really goping back that soon?!?)
I am looking forward to future TR's from you!
God Bless!
and crying while reading this TR!I got teary eyed with your final thoughts/memories and really feel as though I have taken this trip with you!
Now to check your pre-trip reprt! (Are you really goping back that soon?!?)
I am looking forward to future TR's from you!
God Bless!
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