A Disney Family Is Born, Somehow;**Part 5, complete**

[oldkeywestfan]

Let me start out by saying that this was inspired by Twinkiemama and her reporting of trips from a few years back. Reading her reports got me to thinking about the first trip DW and I took together. I had been once in my life in 1981 and DW and been a couple of times, but not since the early 80's. Somehow we ended up back there again in 2001 and this is the story of that trip.

I won't claim to be a great writer, so bear with me, but there is something in this story that I think may make others think back to the days of there 1st trip and laugh at some of the not so good times that come with almost every trip.

Here goes:

May 25,26,27 2001

Why? How? Exactly When? Not sure to tell the truth. I’m pretty sure the dates are right as I remember DW was pretty (but not too) pregnant and generally speaking we planned all getaways at that time around holidays (this would have been Memorial Day).

Anyway, I do know that this was our first internet planned vacation which I suppose has some landmark value that we had “arrived” into the computer age as we know it today. We finally had the faith in the internet to actually put our credit card out there on the “world wide web” (remember when they called it that?) without too much concern that we would find charges for someone else’s trip as well as ours.

As mentioned above I’m not sure why or how the trip came about other than the fact that it was DW's idea and I was lukewarm at best. The only one's that I had known to go were my cousin and her husband but they had 2 kids. We didn’t have any kids. Wasn’t it kind of embarrassing for just grownups to go to Disney? I like to think of myself as a good husband and give DW what she wants to make her happy (no spoil mind you, just dote on a little bit) when it’s reasonable, and even more so at this time, as she was in her “delicate situation” and moody as all get out to boot. Certainly a quick weekend in Florida at a discount hotel isn’t above our means and let’s face it, other than a random camping trip, we haven’t been on a vacation for at least 3-4 years.

In regards to planning, not a whole lot came into play. We needed a place to stay, done, some offsite discount hotel at about $50/night. Transportation? Figured a rental car would be the answer but some concern as we’ll be arriving at night and have no clue as to where we are going. The answer came from a co-worker of mine who told me that when he and his family go the easiest thing to do is to take the bus through this company called MEARS. “They’re right in the airport and you pay for the whole thing up front and have a return trip to the airport as well.” Sounded like a dream, sign me up, transportation handled, done deal, we’re on our way.

I can’t remember exactly which airline we flew on other than it was a discount airline and the rates weren’t bad. I do remember that we flew out of Louisville instead of Cincinnati as the rates were better and an extra ½ drive was more that worth it. It probably should be noted at this point that at the time of the trip we were living in Southeast Indiana about 45 minutes west of Cincinnati, just to give you some idea.

So off we go, I do remember that this is an afternoon or early evening flight as we only took ½ of Friday off of work and arrived in Orlando at around 7:00 or so. No real issues with the flight other than we missed the airport exit the 1st time and had to turn around and try again. Luckily I do this on a fairly regular basis and had planned in the additional “driving around lost” time and no delays were a result.

Arrival at Orlando was exciting. I had not been to Florida in at least 10 years and I’m sure for DW it had been at least the same. There’s that feeling when you step off the plane and can already tell the difference. Even though your in a nice climate controlled airport, you can just tell something is different, almost tropical, at least compared with the Midwest. We were just staying the weekend so had no checked baggage to concern ourselves with so straight to the MEARS desk we headed. I can remember thinking “Man, they’ve got this thing all figured out, no sense in paying a full cab fare when you can get on a bus going the same place, and it’s got to cost less” (doesn’t it?) Anyway, we find the MEARS desk, give them our hotel information and are sent outside to wait where “someone will be with us shortly to direct us to our transportation”. Yeah right…..

 

[TwinkieMama]

Let me start out by saying that this was inspired by Twinkiemama and her reporting of trips from a few years back. Reading her reports got me to thinking about the first trip DW and I took together. I had been once in my life in 1981 and DW and been a couple of times, but not since the early 80's. Somehow we ended up back there again in 2001 and this is the story of that trip.

Oh my! Moi? an inspiration??? I think I shall swoon.
Anyway I am on board, buckled in, and ready for take off for your real millenial madness tour

Anyway, we find the MEARS desk, give them our hotel information and are sent outside to wait where “someone will be with us shortly to direct us to our transportation”. Yeah right…..

A cliffhanger!?! Ah, grasshopper, I have taught you well...

Excellent job! now keep 'em coming....

 

[OhMari]

That was an excellent cliff hanger-please don't leave us hanging.

 

[oldkeywestfan]

It was mentioned above but should be mentioned again. DW is pregnant, not about to pop or shouldn’t be flying pregnant (we checked with the doctor), but not just a few weeks along either. No, it’s more like belly popped out uncomfortable sweating eating weird stuff at weird times getting sick every morning using that cream to prevent stretch marks pregnant. (Sorry Darlin’) This on top of the fact that it’s the end of May in Florida doesn’t make long waits outside a very desirous situation. At least it was evening and not high noon.

I don’t know exactly how long we waited but suffice it to say it wasn’t short. We considered trying to go find someone to complain to but, well, have you ever seen that Sponge Bob episode where he’s trying to catch the bus and every time he turns his head the bus goes flying by. Hadn’t seen it at that point in my life, but that’s pretty much the fear we had. The minute we get up to go find someone they will certainly come looking for us and we’ll miss each other and miss our ride and be stuck waiting all over again. So we wait like the inexperienced clueless travelers that we were.

We finally are put on to one of those 12 or 15 passenger vans with about 4-5 other groups and were on our way. Not exactly the luxury motor coach with the in-ride movie that I had so gullibly imagined but definitely better than sitting outside in the heat. And hey, at least we had air conditioning! And man did we have it. I’m one of those people who likes the cool air. For my money you just can’t be a nice fall evening in the Midwest. I like to call it football weather or sweatshirt weather. High 40’s sitting under the lights watching high school football is my idea of a good time. Needless to say the a/c was a relief, for a while that is. I understand that they want to keep everyone cool so they crank it up, but there comes a point when you have sufficiently cooled the vehicle and can turn it down to simply maintain the temperature. Our driver did not partake of this philosophy. Instead, he apparently wanted to push the limits and reach the cooling level of an industrial freezer. The colder the better was obviously his mantra. But I’m not one for unnecessary confrontation so we’ll just snuggle up and deal with it. It’s just a short ride to our hotel of course……..

Now the ride wasn’t that bad, at least speaking in terms of a big van full of people and luggage. As we found out, everyone was staying somewhere different so it was going to be crap shoot how long our ride would be. Suffice it so say we crapped out. Now don’t get me wrong, I was not happy at the time, but looking back it was rather entertaining. We drop off the first 2-3 groups and all is well. Remaining on the “coach” is DW and I, another couple, and an older foreign couple. The older gentleman apparently surmised that I was the root of all the travel evil that had befallen him that day and figured I was the one to share all his dissatisfaction with. I don’t recall exactly where he was from but it was not in this hemisphere, so he had clearly had a long day. He started by stating with strong sarcasm “So this is the happiest place on earth? This is the wonderful vacation place everyone talks about?” When I didn’t respond I apparently turned on the green light for his ravings. He went on to let us know about his terrible flying experience, lost luggage, and fill in any other travel hazard that could possibly happen, cause it happened to him. I politely nodded along and I think DW may have even added in a “that’s terrible” or some other empathetic expression. That’s right baby, just fuel the fire!

In the mean time our driver got lost and ended up turning around on some dead end street where the concrete was in chunks and nearly sent us all through the roof from the bouncing of our luxury coach. I was seriously wondering if we would make it out alive. This looked like just the area, street lights out, abandoned strip mall, etc, that some enterprising young fellows may hang out waiting for just such an occasion to free some unsuspecting travelers of their money and valuables. (OK, I’m from a small town, and being lost in a big city in a questionable neighborhood is one of those things that makes me VERY nervous)

Needless to say, this sent our foreign friend into a frenzy. Not once was there a fear of any physical confrontation or anything like that mind you, but our friend was obviously there at his wife’s bidding as all his new comments about the horrendous trip he was experiencing were directed at her. Whew! I’m off the hook. Thankfully, our driver found his bearings again and we were back on our way.

Long story short we finally arrived at our hotel at around midnight (told you we were in that van a long time). If you’re a glass half full person, as I try to be, the hotel was modest at best. But hey, what do you expect for such a great rate. This ain’t Park Avenue baby, this is a getaway weekend on a budget. Tomorrow comes a nice continental breakfast (included, free meal and all at our lodging, might as well be a B&B) and a trip to the Magic Kingdom

 

[oldkeywestfan]

The next morning we rose early and went down for the free continental breakfast. Again, my naivety got the best of me and lets just say thank goodness there was a Bob Evans next door. I’ll just say that we opted for Bob’s and headed over for a nice breakfast with no surprises. I do remember that the person at the little desk there in the hotel lobby with the rack of about 943 travel brochures was trying like the devil to sell us some Disney tickets. I know this because we checked with them on the details on our shuttle to the parks. I always have and still do have a funny feeling about this. If I go to a movie, I want to buy the tickets in the movie. Certainly if I’m going to be paying this much for tickets, I’m going right to the source. Can’t take any chances in a place with bookoo tourism. Someone’s always out there to scam you. (OK, it’s not that bad) Get what you wish from this, call me cautious , conservative, or whatever, but I’m still this way and probably always will be. I will not let anyone get anything over on me if I can help it, at least not yet, keep reading.

Anyway, we finished our breakfast and went back over to hop the free shuttle to the parks, another perk of our little Shang Ri La. We actually paid a little more to stay here for this very perk. Sure beats the prices of those Disney hotels! I mean sure they offer the busses and all, but we have that right here at our “off property” hotel. And although it didn’t meet the, let’s say unique, palate of my wife with child, I knew I could have a hard bagel with jelly in the morning if I so desired. And it was included! Those folks at Disney can’t get nothing over on me!

Day 1 would be the Magic Kingdom and we would wrap our trip up with a day at Epcot. Since DW was expecting, this was going to be more sight seeing and show watching than hardcore mountain conquering. We hopped on the shuttle and were dropped off at the Magic Kingdom. Purchased our 2 day tickets and headed on in. Don’t recall much about the day itself other than we rode all the “pregnant lady safe” rides (Dumbo, It’s a Small World, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc). The most important thing I remember from this day was that one of our traditions was established by total accident.

As I mentioned above, not a whole lot of planning was put into this. We had a way to get to Orlando, a place to stay, and a way to get to/from the parks. What more could you need? Well, we found out. FOOD! Don’t get me wrong, we planned on eating in the parks and budgeted accordingly, but who would have thought that we would have to have reservations to eat in a theme park? Unbelievable! Sure we went on the Disney web site, but to be honest we found out the cost of tickets and that was it. I guess research can pay off from time to time. Anyway, the only sit down restaurant we had any luck getting into was Tony’s, and table service was a must. (Remember that DW is……..well……….large, and with that in the heat comes sweat, and the grumpiness, you get the general idea, a sit down in air conditioning was a must). Now don’t get me wrong, Tony’s is not 5 star by any stretch but good food for a fair price (at lunch anyway). Lunch/Dinner (late lunch) at Tony’s for some reason is now a tradition that has carried with us for every trip from that time onward (although with reservations now).

Day 1 ended rather uneventfully. We stayed for the parade and fireworks and headed back to our bargain of a hotel located just off of Disney property. As we were to find out, just far enough off of Disney property to cause a pretty serious problem.

 

[TwinkieMama]

and then what??

he is now an oldkeywestfan so we are safe in assuming that Something is Going to Happen....

thanks for the jaunt down memory lane- you are still ahead of me, I am up to June of 2000

 

[smwf71]

subbing as a fellow Ohioan and a follower of twinkiemama!

 

[oldkeywestfan]

and then what??

he is now an oldkeywestfan so we are safe in assuming that Something is Going to Happen....

thanks for the jaunt down memory lane- you are still ahead of me, I am up to June of 2000

YES! Something Good will happen, but in all honesty it may not be quite as exciting as you may be hoping for. I should have the remainder of the report up by tomorow or Saturday at the latest. I think a couple more installments will wrap it up.

By the way TM, thanks for the inspiration for this. I've always wanted to put in a trip report but everytime I get back and try to write it, it's rather boring. Your report gave me the idea to look back to this 1st trip and realize all the odd things that happened.

Hopefully when it's all done you'll see where I'm coming from...

smwf71...glad your aboard. Lived down around Cincy for a while so I'm familiar with your area. Now we're up north around Findlay. Hope you stick around for the conclusion

 

[UtahMama]

Enjoying your trip report! We stayed off site the first time to WDW now we like the resorts,busses, and FREE disney dining. Love your comments and descriptions of your um preggie wife!!! At no time should you ever use the word "large" when describing your DW!!!!! I hope she popped you, hahahahaha!!!
You're doing a great job! Keep it up!

 

[oldkeywestfan]

Day 2. Epcot it is. The big golf ball. The land of well, the Land, and the Living Seas, and the World Showcase, and all the other good stuff. The grown up Disney as I thought of it then. We wake up and get our breakfast at Bob’s. We do notice that it’s awful foggy and there aren’t many cars on the road. Seems odd for a weekend morning, especially a holiday weekend, but you know, these Florida folks can be different. Come to find out it wasn’t fog, it was smoke from apparently nearby wildfires. This could throw a wrench in our plans.....

The more we listen, the more we begin to throw our arms up in disbelief. The fires are spreading and the smoke is blowing toward Disney? and the freeway along with a handful of other roads are closed? and the shuttle from the hotel to Disney is not running? This can’t be, don’t they know I’ve already bought our tickets for today! Don’t they know this is the only day we can go since our plane leaves tomorrow morning? (Paging Mr Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow, your party has arrived) Sorry, I just think of that every time I see or here the word tomorrow. Anyway, back to our predicament. What’s wrong with this place? Are we cursed? Is this karma? Have we done something to deserve this? Was my sarcastic friend on the motor coach right? Is this (sarcastically now) the happiest place on earth?

We speak to the tourist trap desk at our hotel and are told that we are pretty much out of luck. They confirm what we have heard, there’s really no way to get to Disney today unless we have a car of our own. After a little more hanging around a refusing to leave without a solution, we finally find someone who lets us know that they might know of an enterprising cab driver who could set us up with a ride. Now this is all that is said, but in those few seconds before we give the OK the dollar signs and tourist trap schemes are running through my head. I convince myself that this will cost more than it should, that our wonderful “concierge” at the tourist desk will be getting a nice kickback from the cab driver and so on and so on…..but with no other feasible options, we give the OK and the cab is called.

Some time later (we’ll call it an hour) our savior arrives. He lets us know that not only can he take us but he will pick us up as well. He gives us a slip with his cell number and tells us to give him a call about ½ before we’re ready to leave and he’ll pick us up. Yeah, they get you coming and going down here in this place. Wherever anyone can turn a buck…..

I honestly don’t remember how much the cab ride to Epcot was, probably because I had no idea how much it should have been (again, lack of planning) but I had convinced myself it was more than it should be and reserved myself to suck it up and move on.

Epcot is a big blur for the most part. I remember hitting the nice slow rides and looking at the Innoventions and parts of the World Showcase. The one thing I do remember is that there was NO ONE THERE. I guess the wild fires do have some advantage.

At the end of the day we decide to forego the fireworks (yes, we never saw Illuminations until our second trip) to beat the traffic so we go ahead and give our enterprising young cab driver a call. “Sure, I remember you from this morning, I can be there to get you in about 1½ hours, just be waiting……” I don’t remember the rest as I was speechless. I guess I should have expected it at this point. What happened to your directions Mr Cab Driver? We were screwed. We had no ride back when we were ready to go, it had been a long day and both DW and I were cranky and ready to call it a day.

Now I’m not sure whether we called the hotel or ran into someone else who was staying where we were or what, but somehow we found out that the shuttle was running and we were back in business. (Don't ask me why we didn't just hail a cab out front) All we had to do was go to the pre-designated area in the parking lot and the shuttle would be there. There would certainly be some wait but at least it's a ride home and it couldn't be that long.

Let’s re-hash the situation a bit: my wife is pregnant, not a little pregnant or a lot pregnant but enough to be uncomfortable and grumpy, we’re in Florida at the end of May, there are wild fires burning which haven’t let the humidity burn off and for all I know have burned down our hotel by now, and now here we are sitting, yes sitting, on the hot blacktop parking lot surround by running busses throwing off additional heat and Lord knows what kind of unhealthy fumes waiting for our shuttle to arrive and take us back to, let’s face it the glass is now half empty, our flea bag motel for a miserable final night before our return flight home the next morning.

Next: The final installment

 

[oldkeywestfan]

Utah: Thanks for following along. I appreciate the advice on DW, but it is agreed by both of us that this was the most miserable time in both of our lives as her pregnancy was terrible. I know there's a lot of ladies out there so I won't dare say I understand it, (I may be a man but I'm not stupid) but I will say I know what it feels like to live with it, and I'm just glad it's something I won't have to go through.

 

[oldkeywestfan]

I’ll leave the final details to your imagination. We made our flight, got home with no real problems and were back to work on Tuesday. Overall a pretty crappy trip, but something happened. Something that I can’t explain happened in all this misery that made me do something I never would have expected. About a year or so later DW thought that now that we had a little one it would be nice to go back, and I didn’t argue, didn’t complain, didn’t even give a funny look or a momentary pause to make her sweat just a little. Something happened on this trip that made me simply say “OK honey, let do it, but lets stay in a Disney hotel this time, and we’ll stay a little longer, and we’ll be sure this time to….”

So this is how my fascination with the Mouse came to be. 12 trips later (thanks to DVC, trip 3) I am a trip planning geek that checks airfares literally every day, whether there’s a trip planned or not, just in case. You never know when the airfare might just make it worth borrowing a few of next years points or putting up a little cash on a passholder discounted room for the weekend.

I end with a question: Why is this? What it is about this place that can have such an effect on someone? Why is it that at least 3 or 4 nights a week our family conversation in the evening is around our next trip, or our next next trip, or when our next trip on the Wonder will be? Everyone has an opinion, “it’s something in the water”, “it’s in the piped in air”, or even “it’s just the happiest place on earth”. I guess I don’t really care what it is, just as long as it doesn’t go away, just as long as my now 4 about to be 5 year old son can enjoy it and his children can enjoy it and on and on and on. As long as it’s there, we’ll be there as well, and we’ll be converting folks along the way. We make it a point every year to try to introduce someone to Disney for the 1st time. I guess we’re probably trying to make sure that noone goes through the 1st trip that we did, cause maybe we’re the only one’s who can bounce back from something like that and still become fanatics. OK, probably not, but any excuse to go back is good enough for me!

Thanks to those of you who followed along. Like I stated earlier, I'm not a writer nor do I claim to me. But, thanks to a little inspiration the memories came flooding back and I thought I'd share a little bit of the magic that got into us somehow and in some way during our first trip to WDW.

THANKS!

 

[glo]

I can't believe the hotel cancelled there shuttle, but could call you a cab? That does ring kickback to me too. Love the descriptions of your wife too. We too stayed off property for our first few trips, and didn't think anything of it, til we finally stayed in the parks. WOW what a difference!

Love your trip report!

 

[TwinkieMama]

Thanks so much Oldkeywestfan.
I cried happy tears when you mentioned bringing back your son- the one your wife lugged through the World on that first trip. I think big part of the allure or magic or whatever for our family is that it is something we discovered together in a way. That part of your trip report spoke to me. I really enjoyed it. Thanks.

 

[smwf71]

Great job, Oldkeywestfan. We have some relatives in Findlay! While we haven't done DVC, we love to go to the world often and our daily conversations always include something about the world, too! Thanks again!