Goofmeister
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2003
- Messages
- 213
A few notes:
These are long.
The trip was December 2002.
If you like, you can find the others here. Well, even if you don't, they're still here:
Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7. Part 8. Part 9a. Part 9b. Part 10. Part 11. Part 12.
Cast:
Sam (30) - the Planner, (1985,1987,2000) Trip # 4
Angie (30) - Eeyore nut and researcher, (2000) Trip # 2
Samantha (3.75) (2000) Trip # 2
Day 10, Sunday December, 8th 2002
A day without a plan
Weather: Who cares were leaving tomorrow.
Plan: None, nada, nyet, nothing
The last day is always bittersweet. We were excited that we were still at WDW, but we knew that tomorrow we would have to leave. Reality begins to encroach on the fringes of the mind making the magic a little fuzzy and frayed at times. The last day for me was magical once I forgot that we would be leaving all too soon.
It funny how traditions start. We have a tradition of going to Chef Mickeys first thing after checking in at our resort. And according to the Goofmeister traditions, the MK is the first park we enter. It is also the last. We must visit Epcot on our final day for one last voyage on Spaceship Earth. These are sacred and time honored having been developed over a single previous trip. We dare not challenge our longstanding practices. Who knows what lurks on such a dangerous path? These are but a few of our many varied and splendid ways that we made up out of thin air.
It was a good thing that we had established these traditions though, because I couldnt remember what we did without them (and our video of course
). We started the day at Epcot after another breakfast of champions, which included 6 donuts and a wonderball with milk at 10:05 am.
Our sugar rush gave us plenty of stamina for the surprisingly funny ride on Ellens Energy Adventure. I had a lot of fun, but boy is that a looong show. The girls were hungry and thirsty so we had some snacks before riding on Spaceship Earth. This was Samanthas favorite attraction in Epcot. I tried to film the darn thing, but it so dark that the auto-focus on the camcorder went nuts. Oh well, I guess well just have to come back as soon as we can.
We were basically done with Epcot at this point, and were itching to get to the MK. We took the monorail to the TTC and from there hopped the ferry to the MK. On our boat ride, I took a moment to interview our daughter on what we should do next.
Goofmeister: Are you sure you want to go back to the MK? We could just go back to the Lodge and start packing.
Samantha: (excitedly) I want to ride some rides, no shows, and dont go to the Lodge! First I want to ride Pooh, and then Peter Pan.
Goofmeister: Are you sad that well be leaving tomorrow?
Samantha: No! (and makes a silly face at the camera)
Angie: Look at the parasailers.
That actually looked like a lot of fun, and we talked about maybe doing that next time if we could pry ourselves out of the parks. Of course next time well have two kids. I dont know. It may be a while before we let a jet propelled boat jerk us into the sky. Someday, Someday
The first thing we did was to buy a souvenir photo at the Camera Center taken the last time we were in the MK. 1:20pm
We rode Pooh and Pan, and perhaps the TTA. The TTA is a great ride, but it would be so much better if theyd revive some of the displays along the way. Its a fun ride with a sneak peek at Space Mountain.
Buzz was calling us, and I think we rode it twice. Id list the scores, but itd be too embarrassing for the girls. Suffice to say it was my highest score ever. At Buzzs Star Command Samantha bought a Buzz bendable figure play set. 3:55 pm
Next was the Tomorrowland Speedway. We waited in a short line that took the posted thirty minutes to traverse. We even went to the left! Samantha drove. Youd think it was the biggest thing to happen to her in her whole life. She got to drive a car! We taunted the other drivers and waved at Mommy in the Pit. Samanthas enthusiasm was contagious. We had a lot of fun on this simple diversion.
We went to Toontown and Im sure we rode Samantas favorite roller coaster, Goofys Barnstormer, again. While visiting Toontown Farmers Market snagged some Mickey Mouse gummy bears (mice?) and Eeyore and Pooh plush magnet toys. 5:24 pm
It was time for us to grab a spot in the rose garden for the final fireworks of our trip. I guess Im overly sentimental because I welled up a bit at the end. Everyone was happy, but just a little sad to be leaving. We said goodbye to our stroller first, and parked it in Fantasyland. Samantha was a little sad to see it go. It had been a good friend. It was worn out though, and we didnt have room for it in the car.
We needed to pick up a gift for one of our neighbors, and wed put it off as long as possible. We decided to get them some fudge from The Sandy Cove (The gingerbread house at the GF). 6:51 pm
We took the monorail back to the TTC and then the bus back to the WL. This was our first bus trip from the TTC, and it was the first time I felt like I was at a bus stop. The area was not clean, and had the requisite shady characters. After we got seated on the bus several teenager choir people hopped on our bus. They were trying to get to the ASMu resort before 8 pm, and had decided to take whichever bus came first. We told them that you cant get there from the WL, and that theyd have to go to Epcot or Downtown Disney to get the right bus. They were appropriately worried, but that didnt stop them from singing a few Christmas carols. But, luck was with them when we pulled up to the lodge. The bus driver told them that his next stop was DD and they could stay on if they wanted. I hope they made it back in time.
We stopped in the gift shop for some last minute Christmas presents. We purchased a WL picture frame, clothes, Christmas gifts: My Disney Girl doll, Mickey Icon Pasta, Magic Towels, Chocolate Coins, Tigger Plush Magnet, and a game. 8:25 pm
We had dinner at the Roaring forks: Cheeseburger, chicken fingers, cereal and a cup cake. 9:04 pm.
We went up to the room and packed. Later I got some pudding and a fruit cup for one of the girls. 11:43 pm.
Highs: Everything
Lows: the impending departure
Tips: This was a good day, but we were very tired at this point. We took it slow, and had a lot of fun.
============================================================================
The Return Home, Monday and Tuesday December, 9th and 10th 2002
The long slow road of uncomfortableness
Weather: Varied, probably gray and gloomy.
Plan: Drive, then sleep, Drive and then drive some more, followed by more driving.
We were ready to go home, and scrapped our plans for a lunch in the castle. Realistically we were all very tired, and after packing up the car we just wanted to go home. The car was so full of stuff. Angie had to suffer through the 21-hour trip with a giant Tinkerbell balloon at her feet. Pillows and packages surrounded Samantha. I couldnt see out the rear view mirror. How we kept our sanity (and the many Christmas presents secret) was a miracle.
We checked out but not before purchasing some toys and snacks, and the Lilo and Stitch DVD. Yeah we now had two movies to watch. But that didnt matter Samantha was still only interested in Rollie Pollie Olie. On the bright side, we can now recite it verbatim to entertain friends and family.
After leaving Disney we stopped in a very forgettable hotel in Gulf Port, MS. It was so bad Angie refuses to ever stay in Gulf Port again.
We got pulled over by a highway patrolman on the long bridge in LA. He was just standing on the side of the road with his radar gun, and apparently waving people over. I pulled over, and so did the guy behind me. It turned out that we werent speeding (I was just a little), but he really wanted the guy behind me. All righty then, off we went. Coincidentally, when we stopped for gas we ran into the guy who got the ticket. He was very belligerent, and wanted to know if we got a ticket too. When he found out we didnt, he went off the deep end about how he was behind us, and he wasnt speeding. Some locals calmed him down, but I knew he was speeding. I remember at the time thinking, oh boy I need to get in the left lane this car is coming up fast. He freaked us out. We made sure to be well on our way before he was. We stopped in Denton to eat dinner with my sister-in-law, and got back into Oklahoma near mid night. Just for the record, traffic in Dallas was horrible. I know, for those familiar with the area, thats a shocker. I hate driving through the metroplex.
A few closing thoughts:
We wore ourselves out this trip. It was two years in the making, and I think we over-estimated our stamina. It was so bad that we were wondering if wed ever come back. Blasphemy I know. If you learn anything from this trip report, please, please take a break each day.
Our son was born in July 2003. We are planning on going back in October on 2004. We cant wait to expose him to the wonders of the world. This next trip will be interesting. Samantha will be big enough to do a lot more things, but Ryan will be a big question mark. We will probably drive again for our third time in a row, but there is an outside chance that well fly. I like driving. I think the shared experience brings the family closer, and I have a captive audience. Life gives you exciting changes and challenges. Next time we will have the challenges and excitement of Ryan. It will be like seeing it all again for the first time through his eyes.
Trip reports are a lot more work than I anticipated. Once I finally got around to starting, it took me six months to finish. I did it mainly for my family. But I hope that someone will get something out of our experience. I know I do when I read some of the wonderful reports others have written. Writing this has given me a fresh perspective on the trip. We really did have a great time, despite our exhaustion towards the end. Been there done that going back.
Take care, and keep the magic alive.
Sam.
These are long.
The trip was December 2002.
If you like, you can find the others here. Well, even if you don't, they're still here:
Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7. Part 8. Part 9a. Part 9b. Part 10. Part 11. Part 12.
Cast:
Sam (30) - the Planner, (1985,1987,2000) Trip # 4
Angie (30) - Eeyore nut and researcher, (2000) Trip # 2
Samantha (3.75) (2000) Trip # 2
Day 10, Sunday December, 8th 2002
A day without a plan
Weather: Who cares were leaving tomorrow.
Plan: None, nada, nyet, nothing
The last day is always bittersweet. We were excited that we were still at WDW, but we knew that tomorrow we would have to leave. Reality begins to encroach on the fringes of the mind making the magic a little fuzzy and frayed at times. The last day for me was magical once I forgot that we would be leaving all too soon.
It funny how traditions start. We have a tradition of going to Chef Mickeys first thing after checking in at our resort. And according to the Goofmeister traditions, the MK is the first park we enter. It is also the last. We must visit Epcot on our final day for one last voyage on Spaceship Earth. These are sacred and time honored having been developed over a single previous trip. We dare not challenge our longstanding practices. Who knows what lurks on such a dangerous path? These are but a few of our many varied and splendid ways that we made up out of thin air.
It was a good thing that we had established these traditions though, because I couldnt remember what we did without them (and our video of course
). We started the day at Epcot after another breakfast of champions, which included 6 donuts and a wonderball with milk at 10:05 am.Our sugar rush gave us plenty of stamina for the surprisingly funny ride on Ellens Energy Adventure. I had a lot of fun, but boy is that a looong show. The girls were hungry and thirsty so we had some snacks before riding on Spaceship Earth. This was Samanthas favorite attraction in Epcot. I tried to film the darn thing, but it so dark that the auto-focus on the camcorder went nuts. Oh well, I guess well just have to come back as soon as we can.
We were basically done with Epcot at this point, and were itching to get to the MK. We took the monorail to the TTC and from there hopped the ferry to the MK. On our boat ride, I took a moment to interview our daughter on what we should do next.
Goofmeister: Are you sure you want to go back to the MK? We could just go back to the Lodge and start packing.
Samantha: (excitedly) I want to ride some rides, no shows, and dont go to the Lodge! First I want to ride Pooh, and then Peter Pan.
Goofmeister: Are you sad that well be leaving tomorrow?
Samantha: No! (and makes a silly face at the camera)
Angie: Look at the parasailers.
That actually looked like a lot of fun, and we talked about maybe doing that next time if we could pry ourselves out of the parks. Of course next time well have two kids. I dont know. It may be a while before we let a jet propelled boat jerk us into the sky. Someday, Someday
The first thing we did was to buy a souvenir photo at the Camera Center taken the last time we were in the MK. 1:20pm
We rode Pooh and Pan, and perhaps the TTA. The TTA is a great ride, but it would be so much better if theyd revive some of the displays along the way. Its a fun ride with a sneak peek at Space Mountain.
Buzz was calling us, and I think we rode it twice. Id list the scores, but itd be too embarrassing for the girls. Suffice to say it was my highest score ever. At Buzzs Star Command Samantha bought a Buzz bendable figure play set. 3:55 pm
Next was the Tomorrowland Speedway. We waited in a short line that took the posted thirty minutes to traverse. We even went to the left! Samantha drove. Youd think it was the biggest thing to happen to her in her whole life. She got to drive a car! We taunted the other drivers and waved at Mommy in the Pit. Samanthas enthusiasm was contagious. We had a lot of fun on this simple diversion.
We went to Toontown and Im sure we rode Samantas favorite roller coaster, Goofys Barnstormer, again. While visiting Toontown Farmers Market snagged some Mickey Mouse gummy bears (mice?) and Eeyore and Pooh plush magnet toys. 5:24 pm
It was time for us to grab a spot in the rose garden for the final fireworks of our trip. I guess Im overly sentimental because I welled up a bit at the end. Everyone was happy, but just a little sad to be leaving. We said goodbye to our stroller first, and parked it in Fantasyland. Samantha was a little sad to see it go. It had been a good friend. It was worn out though, and we didnt have room for it in the car.
We needed to pick up a gift for one of our neighbors, and wed put it off as long as possible. We decided to get them some fudge from The Sandy Cove (The gingerbread house at the GF). 6:51 pm
We took the monorail back to the TTC and then the bus back to the WL. This was our first bus trip from the TTC, and it was the first time I felt like I was at a bus stop. The area was not clean, and had the requisite shady characters. After we got seated on the bus several teenager choir people hopped on our bus. They were trying to get to the ASMu resort before 8 pm, and had decided to take whichever bus came first. We told them that you cant get there from the WL, and that theyd have to go to Epcot or Downtown Disney to get the right bus. They were appropriately worried, but that didnt stop them from singing a few Christmas carols. But, luck was with them when we pulled up to the lodge. The bus driver told them that his next stop was DD and they could stay on if they wanted. I hope they made it back in time.
We stopped in the gift shop for some last minute Christmas presents. We purchased a WL picture frame, clothes, Christmas gifts: My Disney Girl doll, Mickey Icon Pasta, Magic Towels, Chocolate Coins, Tigger Plush Magnet, and a game. 8:25 pm
We had dinner at the Roaring forks: Cheeseburger, chicken fingers, cereal and a cup cake. 9:04 pm.
We went up to the room and packed. Later I got some pudding and a fruit cup for one of the girls. 11:43 pm.
Highs: Everything
Lows: the impending departure
Tips: This was a good day, but we were very tired at this point. We took it slow, and had a lot of fun.
============================================================================
The Return Home, Monday and Tuesday December, 9th and 10th 2002
The long slow road of uncomfortableness
Weather: Varied, probably gray and gloomy.
Plan: Drive, then sleep, Drive and then drive some more, followed by more driving.
We were ready to go home, and scrapped our plans for a lunch in the castle. Realistically we were all very tired, and after packing up the car we just wanted to go home. The car was so full of stuff. Angie had to suffer through the 21-hour trip with a giant Tinkerbell balloon at her feet. Pillows and packages surrounded Samantha. I couldnt see out the rear view mirror. How we kept our sanity (and the many Christmas presents secret) was a miracle.
We checked out but not before purchasing some toys and snacks, and the Lilo and Stitch DVD. Yeah we now had two movies to watch. But that didnt matter Samantha was still only interested in Rollie Pollie Olie. On the bright side, we can now recite it verbatim to entertain friends and family.
After leaving Disney we stopped in a very forgettable hotel in Gulf Port, MS. It was so bad Angie refuses to ever stay in Gulf Port again.
We got pulled over by a highway patrolman on the long bridge in LA. He was just standing on the side of the road with his radar gun, and apparently waving people over. I pulled over, and so did the guy behind me. It turned out that we werent speeding (I was just a little), but he really wanted the guy behind me. All righty then, off we went. Coincidentally, when we stopped for gas we ran into the guy who got the ticket. He was very belligerent, and wanted to know if we got a ticket too. When he found out we didnt, he went off the deep end about how he was behind us, and he wasnt speeding. Some locals calmed him down, but I knew he was speeding. I remember at the time thinking, oh boy I need to get in the left lane this car is coming up fast. He freaked us out. We made sure to be well on our way before he was. We stopped in Denton to eat dinner with my sister-in-law, and got back into Oklahoma near mid night. Just for the record, traffic in Dallas was horrible. I know, for those familiar with the area, thats a shocker. I hate driving through the metroplex.
A few closing thoughts:
We wore ourselves out this trip. It was two years in the making, and I think we over-estimated our stamina. It was so bad that we were wondering if wed ever come back. Blasphemy I know. If you learn anything from this trip report, please, please take a break each day.
Our son was born in July 2003. We are planning on going back in October on 2004. We cant wait to expose him to the wonders of the world. This next trip will be interesting. Samantha will be big enough to do a lot more things, but Ryan will be a big question mark. We will probably drive again for our third time in a row, but there is an outside chance that well fly. I like driving. I think the shared experience brings the family closer, and I have a captive audience. Life gives you exciting changes and challenges. Next time we will have the challenges and excitement of Ryan. It will be like seeing it all again for the first time through his eyes.
Trip reports are a lot more work than I anticipated. Once I finally got around to starting, it took me six months to finish. I did it mainly for my family. But I hope that someone will get something out of our experience. I know I do when I read some of the wonderful reports others have written. Writing this has given me a fresh perspective on the trip. We really did have a great time, despite our exhaustion towards the end. Been there done that going back.
Take care, and keep the magic alive.
Sam.
And congratulations on Ryan. 
