A fearless trip report- May 12-18th 2011

[amandaw]

That's crazy that y'all couldn't find a playground at either resort. When we went to the whole DVC thing on our trip, we really liked the model of the BLT rooms we went into. If I were to buy into DVC, that's probably where I'd want my home to be.

 

[afwdwfan]

Maybe the Poly and Contemporary are trying to send a message that kids aren't welcome.

I'm envious of your spy mission into BLT. That's just awesome!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Where are the Disney police when you need them?

 

[shan23877]

You're so brave! As a fellow rule follower, I would have been sweating bullets!

I can't believe that you couldn't find a proper playground! I hope that Everett didn't get all rested to raise cane on the flight home though!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Well, we are not moving to Florida

My DH dropped the ball, didn't follow up, and the detailer gave the job to someone else. I am SO, SO, SO angry at DH and at the detailer right now.

So now we get to "choose" between

Japan (which I think would be awesome, but DH won't consider)
Everett, Washington (I didn't know there was a town named after my DS)
San Diego, CA (the thought of driving cross country with two cats and a toddler, no thank you)
Bahrain or Afganistan- for a year deployment
Norfolk, VA (which DH wants to take)

Really, my idea option would be for DH to take the year in Bahrain, and for DS and I to either move back to Florida solo or just live with my parents.

Before you think I'm totally heartless, DH is guaranteed at least one 7-8 month deployment in Norfolk, plus various exercises, which would mean conservatively he would be gone for at least 9 months. Of course, if anything goes wrong anywhere (hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, famine, Libya, etc), he will have to go out again, so he could potentially be gone for LONGER than year.

If we take this job in Norfolk that means we have to commit to two more years of being jerked around by the military, but his commitment is up in May of 2013, so if he does the year in Bahrain we can just be completely done with the military when it is over. That is a very appealing idea to me.

I don't think potentially spending three extra months together is worth having to live in dirty Norfolk, which is extremely high crime and really depressing, with the worst environment military bases have to offer (strip clubs, seedy bars, pawn shops).

If he won't do the year, I can't force him, but I am so, so disappointed. I was really looking forward to moving back into MY house, returning to MY job, spending time with MY friends and enjoying life in MY state. Instead I have to do triage, deciding between the least worst options.

Truthfully, I'm not really even looking forward to my upcoming trips anymore, because it just highlights what I won't be able to enjoy while trapped in Norfolk.

 

[tammy]

Oh sweetie...I have nothing to add but will send you big hugs for whatever the outcome will be...

 

[afwdwfan]

Sorry that Florida fell through. Whatever choice is made, I hope he stays safe in his deployment and hopefully the time will go by quickly and you guys will be on to bigger and better things. Don't let this bad news ruin your excitment about your upcoming trips. You're still going to be going to Disney World... and regardless where you live, you're still going to be a DVC owner.

 

[amandaw]

I'm so sorry to hear that you won't get to make your move to Florida. Hopefully, y'all will pick the best possible location for y'all & it'll go quickly.

Think of the bright side: at least you know he'll have a job. Ed just found out on Monday that he only has one until October 30th. So, we are scrambling trying to find him something else. We're looking anywhere from Texas to North Carolina. We prefer to stay in Louisiana but Florida is our 2nd choice. We'll see what happens. It's just a bad situation. He left a good, stable job with benefits to help someone very close to us start a business. Well, this person hasn't put in the time & effort Ed needed to get things going. And he hash't delivered on promises (such as benefits). He gave Ed a timeline for getting the business to a successful point, which was reasonable. Well, out of the blue, he has cut that timeline in less than half & gave us a 5 week notice. Oh, and he wouldn't have told Ed anything unless I had heard about his shut down plans thru the grapevine.

I'm sorry to take over your rant - I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in crappy husband job stuff. I truly hope everything works out in the best possible way for y'all!

 

[fitgirl36]

Oh man! I am really sorry that your Florida move fell through! It sounds like your options are a bummer for you too, but it's not forever right? I agree with afwdwfan don't let it ruin your trips...it's DISNEY WORLD, the happiest place on earth! The place where you can forget your troubles at least for a little while! Take care!

 

[Disneybrenda]

Enjoyed your trip report very much. We first took our boys when they were 2 and 5 and the Magic Kingdom is all that there was. We now go back with grandparents, children and grandchildren and love all the parks. Next trip December with just dh and me.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Sorry that the move back to Florida fell through.


There are some nicer areas surrounding Norfolk if that is where he ends up. We lived in Virginia Beach in a lovely area for several years.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I'm all caught up.

First off, so sorry that your hopes of moving to FL don't seem very likely right now.

to future trip plans. Especially the Poly with an MK view.

Your son is just the cutest. I can totally picture "bite, bite, bite" coming from the stroller outside the Germany treat shop.

Speaking of which, if you ever do a version of the pickle tree, you will have to post it! Do you ever listen to the DIS Unplugged podcast? There was an episode a while back where they basically debunked the whole pickle ornament thing as myth and not a German tradition.

Interesting that Mexico is your favorite Illuminations spot. I don't know that I've settled on a favorite spot yet. I just know it's my favorite fireworks. And I WILL be on the lookout for ducks in October!

Hang in there. Hope all this move stuff works itself out.

 

[DisneyMomma09]

Bummer about the failed playground mission. But at least you got to check out BLT in the process! We stayed there for the long weekend when I ran the Princess 1/2. The pool was awesome! Colby loved the little slide and the fountain! I hope you get to check it out sometime.

What a bummer about not getting to move back to Florida. I hope everything works out for the best for your family! Thank you for the sacrifice you are going to be making in your service. It is greatly appreciated!

 

[MeMom]

Sorry your most wanted move didn't come through. I'm sure you are pretty bummed right now, but as someone else said, these days we can be glad to have a job when so many don't. It may seem long now, but in the whole scheme of things, it's just a short period of time. You guys can write down the pros and cons and see which option works best in the end. If your husband does go off, I bet your parents would love having you and little man around for a long visit.

 

[shan23877]

I'm really sorry to hear about your DH's job situation. I bet that right now, knowing that he has a job is little consolation. I totally understand being angry and disappointed, I would be too.

I know that for me it is often hard to stay positive while you are in a crappy situation, but I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. It may take a while, but I bet that eventually (hopefully sooner rather than later ) you'll look back at this time and think this wasn't too bad at all.

Sorry to be all Pollyanna on you. You're of course entitled to your anger as well. If you'd like, I will send some mean thoughts at your DH too

 

[CandleontheWater]

Episode 37- the update in which we board Magical Depress

At that point we realized we still had some time to kill before we needed to be back at POR for ME, so we headed on to complete the monorail loop and went over to the Grand Floridian.

The Grand Floridian is one of the few Disney resorts I have not stayed at, but I would love to someday. I’ve told DH that for my 40th birthday I want to go and stay at the GF and eat at Victoria and Alberts, but that is some time distant, and hopefully I’ll have him convinced by then.

We browsed around in the shops a little, I love to check out all the little soaps at Basin, but we didn’t purchase anything. We ended up heading over to the counter service place to illicitly fill up our mugs (I guess I didn’t have enough rule breaking with our foray into BLT), and to get mickey bars for a snack.

We sat outside by the marina and even though the view was nice and it was a beautiful afternoon, I was feeling a little mopey since I knew that we were just counting down the hours until we had to board the Magical Depress. I think that from now on I’ll plan on park time for our last day, it is still a little depressing knowing that you are leaving and looking around at all the families who will get to spend the night, but it also is distracting, and there are points that you can forget that you have to leave.

Eventually it was time to really leave and start heading back to the POR. I bid the castle one last goodbye from the beach on the way out, and headed back into the GF to catch the monorail. On the way out we ran into the girls who were participating in the Princess tea. They were doing some sort of parade around the 2nd floor of the lobby with Aurora and they all looked to be in heaven. One of the moms saw me watching and smiling and she came over and told me that it was an incredible experience and well worth the money. She said the girls got a lot of one on one time with Aurora and that it was just priceless to see her daughters reaction.

I used to think that the perfect little girl princess day would be Bibbity-bobbity-boutique followed by breakfast in the Castle, but now I’m thinking that it would be BBB, followed by princess aurora tea, and then dinner at the Castle! I think that would be about princess overload, and you would be lucky to finish off the day under the two thousand dollar mark. If we have a little girl, DH better start saving his pennies (or Benjamins- as the case may be)!

Our monorail trip to MK and then bus ride back to POR was uneventful, and we ended up getting back a little early. Our little sleepy head was awake by this point and we let him run around the lobby a little bit while waiting on the bus. It felt like we were just standing around and waiting forever, but eventually our bus pulled up and we were off, leaving the land of purple road signs and heading back to reality.

We made it to the airport with plenty of time even for my neurotic husband, and we made it through security fairly quickly. I like that Orlando has a separate family lane, it definitely takes the pressure off! I always feel bad at Regan, holding up seasoned business travelers in the security line with my world’s largest diaper bag, stroller, and rambunctious toddler.

We had a completely unmemorable meal at McDonalds in the airport, which would not be my first choice in fast food, but it does serve chicken nuggets, which are about Everett’s speed.

The flight home was challenging once again, but at least I wasn’t tempted to jettison him overboad this leg of the journey. He categorically didn’t want to stay seated, which was a big problem during the mandatory sitting portion of the flight. Whenever the seatbelt sign was off we were up, doing laps. I feel like I walked more on that plane flight than I did the whole week at WDW! The woman next to us was very nice, and she told us all about her children and grandchildren, and assured us that Everett couldn’t do anything that she hadn’t seen already.

I was very happy when the flight was over, and even happier when we made it home with no trouble and no traffic.

All in all it was a great trip, I had my fears and my doubts, but everything managed to come together nicely. Each trip seems to get a little easier with Everett, and I think once he turns two and we are forced to buy him a plane ticket, that air travel will also be easier. I will stand by assertion that WDW is the best place to travel with infants and toddlers. I can’t think of once other place where everything is designed to literally make life with children easier, and I also can’t think of another location that is as accommodating to the unique needs that come with traveling with little ones. If you are on the fence about traveling with babies and toddlers, just do it!

Now that I’ve finished this TR, it is time to start another! I just got back from a short but super fun adults only trip, and soon I’ll have the next leg of our adventures up and running. I’ll post the link here when I get started and I hope that you’ll come along!

 

[CandleontheWater]

That's crazy that y'all couldn't find a playground at either resort. When we went to the whole DVC thing on our trip, we really liked the model of the BLT rooms we went into. If I were to buy into DVC, that's probably where I'd want my home to be.

I love the rooms at BLT also! The whole mod vibe is exactly my style, and you can't beat the view! Unfortunately you can beat the point chart and the per point price. But really, the dues are lower, so I guess you'd really be spending less over the lifetime of ownership, so that is something to consider also.

Maybe the Poly and Contemporary are trying to send a message that kids aren't welcome.

I'm envious of your spy mission into BLT. That's just awesome!

It was fun to bend the rules, but I don't think I'll make a habit of it!

Where are the Disney police when you need them?

Seriously! I could have done some time in Mickey Jail!

You're so brave! As a fellow rule follower, I would have been sweating bullets!

I can't believe that you couldn't find a proper playground! I hope that Everett didn't get all rested to raise cane on the flight home though!

He wasn't the best on the flight back, but I don't think it was from lack of playground time, but more from just being an active toddler by nature.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Oh sweetie...I have nothing to add but will send you big hugs for whatever the outcome will be...

Thank you, I'm feeling a little better now that I've had some time to think it through, but I'm still very disappointed.

Sorry that Florida fell through. Whatever choice is made, I hope he stays safe in his deployment and hopefully the time will go by quickly and you guys will be on to bigger and better things. Don't let this bad news ruin your excitment about your upcoming trips. You're still going to be going to Disney World... and regardless where you live, you're still going to be a DVC owner.

Those are some very true words. I know that Disney will always be in our lives, and I do feel very lucky that I have some wonderful trips to look forward to in the future. I was just hoping to move back to Florida because it would have been so much easier. Its one thing to face a deployment while living in a place where you feel comfortable, safe and secure, and where you have a good support system of neighbors and friends; but quite another when you are alone in a strange place and have to build all your relationships from the ground up.

We'll find a way to make it all work, we've done it in the past, and I'm sure we'll be doing it again in the future.

I'm so sorry to hear that you won't get to make your move to Florida. Hopefully, y'all will pick the best possible location for y'all & it'll go quickly.

Think of the bright side: at least you know he'll have a job. Ed just found out on Monday that he only has one until October 30th. So, we are scrambling trying to find him something else. We're looking anywhere from Texas to North Carolina. We prefer to stay in Louisiana but Florida is our 2nd choice. We'll see what happens. It's just a bad situation. He left a good, stable job with benefits to help someone very close to us start a business. Well, this person hasn't put in the time & effort Ed needed to get things going. And he hash't delivered on promises (such as benefits). He gave Ed a timeline for getting the business to a successful point, which was reasonable. Well, out of the blue, he has cut that timeline in less than half & gave us a 5 week notice. Oh, and he wouldn't have told Ed anything unless I had heard about his shut down plans thru the grapevine.

I'm sorry to take over your rant - I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in crappy husband job stuff. I truly hope everything works out in the best possible way for y'all!

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about Ed's trouble with his job. I hope that everything works out for you and that he finds another job ASAP. Please keep us updated!

Oh man! I am really sorry that your Florida move fell through! It sounds like your options are a bummer for you too, but it's not forever right? I agree with afwdwfan don't let it ruin your trips...it's DISNEY WORLD, the happiest place on earth! The place where you can forget your troubles at least for a little while! Take care!

Yes, it is not forever, and I just need to keep telling myself that. I think what we might be able to do is have DH choose a ship that will deploy right when we move, and then he can just go ahead and get his deployment over with so it is not hanging over our heads.

It will also work out well for me because then I can just put our stuff in storage and go and live with my parents for the eight months he will be gone. That way I won't have to be alone in a strange city, and my parents would be thrilled to have DS with them for the good part of a year. It would definitely be nice to have the help.

Enjoyed your trip report very much. We first took our boys when they were 2 and 5 and the Magic Kingdom is all that there was. We now go back with grandparents, children and grandchildren and love all the parks. Next trip December with just dh and me.

Awww, I think it so wonderful that you keep going back to Disney and making more memories! I remember going with my Mom back when there was just the MK, and now she is taking her grandchild. We are all very lucky to have something so timeless in our lives.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Sorry that the move back to Florida fell through.


There are some nicer areas surrounding Norfolk if that is where he ends up. We lived in Virginia Beach in a lovely area for several years.

DH has been talking to some of his friends that have been stationed in Norfolk and they all say to live in Virginia Beach as well. What section of the town did you live in? I'm really anxious to find someplace that is safe and family friendly.

I'm all caught up.

First off, so sorry that your hopes of moving to FL don't seem very likely right now.

to future trip plans. Especially the Poly with an MK view.

Your son is just the cutest. I can totally picture "bite, bite, bite" coming from the stroller outside the Germany treat shop.

Speaking of which, if you ever do a version of the pickle tree, you will have to post it! Do you ever listen to the DIS Unplugged podcast? There was an episode a while back where they basically debunked the whole pickle ornament thing as myth and not a German tradition.

Interesting that Mexico is your favorite Illuminations spot. I don't know that I've settled on a favorite spot yet. I just know it's my favorite fireworks. And I WILL be on the lookout for ducks in October!

Hang in there. Hope all this move stuff works itself out.

Thanks, we are working it all out. It just would have been so nice to move back into our house and I was really looking forward to going back to work part time. My old boss was always so accommodating, and was really looking forward to getting me back. He completely understood my situation, and would have let me work part time, and would have understood that it was only temporary until we moved again. I'm doubtful I'll be able to find that kind of work situation in Norfolk. I know it sounds silly to be so hung up on little things, but after living there for 6 years, and owning a home there, Jacksonville really feels like home to me, and I think we all can agree that home is were the heart is.

I'm sure that I will make the most of the situation, and we'll do just fine in Norfolk, but I don't think it is going to feel like home.

Bummer about the failed playground mission. But at least you got to check out BLT in the process! We stayed there for the long weekend when I ran the Princess 1/2. The pool was awesome! Colby loved the little slide and the fountain! I hope you get to check it out sometime.

What a bummer about not getting to move back to Florida. I hope everything works out for the best for your family! Thank you for the sacrifice you are going to be making in your service. It is greatly appreciated!

It must have been really nice to stay at BLT, I hope we get the chance someday!

Sorry your most wanted move didn't come through. I'm sure you are pretty bummed right now, but as someone else said, these days we can be glad to have a job when so many don't. It may seem long now, but in the whole scheme of things, it's just a short period of time. You guys can write down the pros and cons and see which option works best in the end. If your husband does go off, I bet your parents would love having you and little man around for a long visit.

Yes, you guys are all right! I do thank you all for listening and giving me a "safe" place to vent. DH does feel really bad about the whole situation, so I didn't want to make him feel worse venting about how disappointed and angry I was, so thank you for listening.

I'm really sorry to hear about your DH's job situation. I bet that right now, knowing that he has a job is little consolation. I totally understand being angry and disappointed, I would be too.

I know that for me it is often hard to stay positive while you are in a crappy situation, but I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. It may take a while, but I bet that eventually (hopefully sooner rather than later ) you'll look back at this time and think this wasn't too bad at all.

Sorry to be all Pollyanna on you. You're of course entitled to your anger as well. If you'd like, I will send some mean thoughts at your DH too

Thank you, it does help to be able to talk about it, with people who aren't vested in the situation, if you know what I mean. I was just very hurt, and disappointed and it isn't the best feeling to know that you don't really have control or choice over where you have to move your family. I guess I should be used to it by now, and in some ways I am, but it still is hard.

 

[DisneyMomma09]

Magical Depress!! I love it!

I haven't decided which is better...having the last flight out of the day, so you can spend time at the parks and squeeze in some last minute fun, or a mid-day flight, so we just have time to get up, pack, and check-out. Either way, leaving is terrible.

From our most recent experience, I can say that Colby having his own seat was sooooo much easier! We did not even take his car seat, but he sat in his seat with his seat belt buckled for (almost) the whole flight!

Can't wait to hear about your adults only trip!!