A Jan 2009 TR... twins, one parent and 103 degree fevers! **UD 11-28 w/ pics**

[cdhale]

Yes, I realize we have been home for nine months. And than I am in the midst of planning out Jan 2010 trip. But, better late than never. Welcome to our 2009 trip report!

Table of Contents:

Day 1, early morning
Day 1, arrival
Day 1, afternoon and evening
Day 2, Akershus
Day 2, afternoon and medical emergencies?
Day 2, after the doctor
Day 2, concluded
Day 3, DHS
Day 3, continued
Day 3, killing time at DHS
Day 3, concluded
Day 4, Animal Kingdom
Day 4, concluded

Disney 2010 Update 1
Update 2
Update 3, ADRs
Update 4, huge change of plans
Update 5

When: Jan 22-27, 2009.

Where: Disney's Wilderness Lodge, room 1004

The particulars: 6 day PH w/ DDP, Flights from BWI to MCO on AirTran (no bag fees for this trip!), ME.

The participants:

Me. Cheryl. Then 33-year old (now 34) single mom, full time attorney, and increasingly becoming obsessed with Disney!

DD Hannah (left). Baby A. Then 6.5 years old. DD Sophia (right). Baby B. Then 6.5 years old, but definitely the baby sister.

Yes, they are twins! Though many do not believe it, they are NOT identical. They were in first grade during this trip and were slated to miss 2.5 days of school (we planned it over a non-holiday long weekend for our school district). As it turns out we left a lot of bad weather in Baltimore and schools were closed the last day of our trip AND the day after we returned. Perfect.

My mom (Gran) and stepdad (Pop) make an appearance later in the trip, as they came to the WL and spent the last 2 days with us.

Some background: I started planning this trip in Sept 2008. The first thing I asked myself (that is, after figuring out whether I could afford to go!) was: can I handle 2 kids in WDW by myself? So I asked the advise of other sage mothers of multiples, and other single parents and determined that yes, I could do it! The last time I had been to Disney was in Feb 2002 on a quick trip I planned for me and my best friend the previous Dec. About 2 hours after we paid for the trip my (now ex) husband and I learned I was pregnant. By the time the trip rolled around I was 13 weeks along and hadn't yet "officially" found out I was having twins. So even though this would be the first trip my girls remember to WDW, they had actually been there before!

This is me at AK in 2002. Do I look like I'm carrying twins??

Next, because I am a completely type-A person, I started to read everything and anything I could... Birnbaum's (useless, IMO, but DDs loved the pictures), Fodor's (borrowed from a friend), The Complete Walt Disney World (borrowed from another friend), and The Unofficial Guide (my favorite), which I pretty much read cover to cover. I made spreadsheets of the park ours, EMH, parade times and fireworks for each day we were there. As I made ADRs they when on the sheet as well. We started planning too late to get an ADR at the Castle, but at some point between planning this trip and actually going my sweet little six-year-old girls decided they were OVER the princesses. So, no harm, no foul, right? We'll see how that went...

Our tentative schedule was as follows:

Thursday (Jan 22)- arrive WL around noon, check our carry-ons and head to MK.
Friday (Jan 23)- breakfast ADR at Akershus (see, we're eating with Princesses!), then a nice day exploring Epcot.
Saturday (Jan 24)- DHS and MK for Spectromagic
Sunday (Jan 25)- my parents arrive, AK, and Hoop Dee Do in the evening (does that have an abbreviation??)
Monday (Jan 26)-MK, dinner at Chef Mickey's, back to MK for EMH
Tuesday (Jan 27)-spend the morning in the park of our choice and depart WL around 2:00.

Completely do-able, right? I didn't count on Sophia waking up with a fever the morning of our departure...

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

YAY I get to be first! Great start! We were there the EXACT same time! At the EXACT same place! We were at WL from January 20th -28th! I wonder if we ever bumped into each other? Please keep writing! You have one fan!

 

[mousebymarriage]

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[mcco5543]

I am on the edge of my seat with this fever businesss....

 

[cdhale]

Because I wanted to make the most out of the first and last day we were in WDW (wishing I could stay longer, but WORK! and SCHOOL!), we were on a 7:00 a.m. flight out of BWI. I only live about 20 minutes from the airport, so I figured we needed to be on the road at 5:15. My DBf (that's boyfriend; is that right?) had spent the night on the couch and was ready to drive us to the airport so I wouldn't have to leave my car there. Now, even though this is suburban Baltimore, it was January and it was cold out! And damp. And what happens when it's cold and damp during flu season? Even kids who got a flu shot get sick.

*Because I have almost no pre-trip pics, I will supplement. Everyone just wants to see the pics, right? Here's H and S picking, um eating, apples the same day they got their flu shots in the fall.*

In Sophia's defense, she started complaining about not feeling well the day before we left. In fact, my DexH (that would be by dear ex-husband. I can think of a lot more accurate adjectives to use than "dear," but we'll go with that), with whom I share custody, had picked her up from school early on Wednesday. By the time I got home from work that day, picked up Hannah from school and Sophia from his house, she looked OK and did NOT have a fever. Home we went to pack (I am a terrible last-minute packer, despite all my other prep), and try to go to bed early. The girls went to bed around 9:30 and me.... um.... I'm not sure I went to bed.

*Here are the girls Christmas morning opening their "Disney bags" (more about that later). And yes, that is a vintage circa 1983 Barbie townhouse in the background. Thank you ebay!*

Thursday morning. I go into Hannah's room and she wakes up right away. Both girls slept in their traveling clothes, so she was ready to go. I went to wake Sophia up. She was sluggish. She was warm. She opened her eyes and said "Mommy, I don't feel good." Her fever was around 100 degrees. Oh no!

Now I have a dilemma. I want this vacation. This would be the first real vacation I have taken with my children since... ever? Certainly since the big break-up in 2005. They've done a ton of traveling, but it's all been to see out-of-state family members. At this point Sophia doesn't have any other specific complaints... no sore throat, no rash, no headache, no upset tummy, so I do what any other resourceful mother would do upon their child waking up with a not very high fever.

Come on moms (and dads), we've all done it!

So, dosed with Motrin we pack the car and head to the airport. By the time we get there, check the bags and head through security (all three of us, for some unknowable reason, were pre-selected for extra screening, so EVERY pocket and nook and cranny of our carry-ons were searched. And we were patted down. My six-year-olds were actually patted down! But we can't let stuff like this ruin our trip), by the time we had done all this Sophia's fever was under control and she was perky and excited. And ready to eat her BWI airport hard boiled egg. (for you reference, Sophia has bangs. Hannah has longer hair)

Watching our plane come in...

Up next... we arrive at WL! Is the fever at bay?

 

[cdhale]

YAY I get to be first! Great start! We were there the EXACT same time! At the EXACT same place! We were at WL from January 20th -28th! I wonder if we ever bumped into each other? Please keep writing! You have one fan!

Yay! First! So you know how COLD it was at the beginning of that week!

Can't wait to hear more!

Hi! Welcome!

I am on the edge of my seat with this fever businesss....

So was I!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Yay! First! So you know how COLD it was at the beginning of that week!

HEY! Great travel day so far! YES it was VERY cold for a couple of days that week! Still warmer than us at home but definitely colder than what we had hoped! It did warm up though! Can't wait to hear about the rest of that day! Keep it coming please!

 

[yellowtink]

sound like a fun beginning, except you know the whole fever part.

 

[cdhale]

As I said, I'm in the midst of planning our next trip...

Jan 21-26, 2010 (the same Thu-Tues we went this year).

Contemporary Resort!!! I have ALWAYS wanted to stay here... I think this will be a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

Deluxe Dining!!! My girls loved the character meals and they love restaurants, so we're going to give this a try.

Same flights, same PH... oddly, different park hours and EMH hours...

My ADR day is quickly approaching... Oct 23, which is 4 days before they push back to the 180-day window. I better be ready to dial at 7 a.m. because this time we're going to try for Cinderella's Royal Table.

More planning updates to come, as well as the continued TR.

 

[beyondblessed]

Hi Cheryl - I jumped over here from Becky's TR. Your girls are adorable and it looks like your trip was quite an adventure. I can't wait to hear more about it!

 

[BippityBoo]

Coming from Becky's TR too!! I am SO excited to find your TR. We just booked WL today...really excited! Our plans are also to check in, leave our bags and head to MK! Anxious to hear if it worked out for ya. Can't wait for an update

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

As I said, I'm in the midst of planning our next trip...

Jan 21-26, 2010 (the same Thu-Tues we went this year).

Contemporary Resort!!! I have ALWAYS wanted to stay here... I think this will be a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

Deluxe Dining!!! My girls loved the character meals and they love restaurants, so we're going to give this a try.

Same flights, same PH... oddly, different park hours and EMH hours...

My ADR day is quickly approaching... Oct 23, which is 4 days before they push back to the 180-day window. I better be ready to dial at 7 a.m. because this time we're going to try for Cinderella's Royal Table.

More planning updates to come, as well as the continued TR.

Oh Darn! We will just miss you this time! We arrive on the 26th! Perhaps we will pass each other in the airport!

Sounds like a great time! WOW - Deluxe Dining! That is A LOT OF FOOD!!!

I don't think we could ever eat that much! The reg plan was just enough for us last time.

We actually considered the QSDP but my DH is just too fond of his precious Biergarten and I REALLY want to try LECellier and the Kids absolutely have to have their character fixes..... oh well, maybe next time!

Can't wait to hear if your girls were feeling better by the time you arrived in Florida!

 

[cdhale]

sound like a fun beginning, except you know the whole fever part.

We had a great time

Hi Cheryl - I jumped over here from Becky's TR. Your girls are adorable and it looks like your trip was quite an adventure. I can't wait to hear more about it!

Hi! Thanks for joining!

Coming from Becky's TR too!! I am SO excited to find your TR. We just booked WL today...really excited! Our plans are also to check in, leave our bags and head to MK! Anxious to hear if it worked out for ya. Can't wait for an update

Argh! I'm stealing Becky's fans!!

 

[cdhale]

Oh Darn! We will just miss you this time! We arrive on the 26th! Perhaps we will pass each other in the airport!

Sounds like a great time! WOW - Deluxe Dining! That is A LOT OF FOOD!!!

I don't think we could ever eat that much! The reg plan was just enough for us last time.

We actually considered the QSDP but my DH is just too fond of his precious Biergarten and I REALLY want to try LECellier and the Kids absolutely have to have their character fixes..... oh well, maybe next time!

Can't wait to hear if your girls were feeling better by the time you arrived in Florida!

Man! I saw your counter and figured we would just miss each other! I love love love Disney in January, though!

On Deluxe Dining... I agree, it is WAY TOO MUCH food! If Disney did a 2 TS/day plan, it would be perfect. We're not much for fast food, but the quantity you get at a TS meal means you really only need to eat twice a day. But I really like how the food is all paid in advance on the DP, so I don't feel like I have to encourage the girls to get the cheapest thing on the menu, or sell myself short. Plus, crunching the numbers, all the savings are in their meals, not mine. I think the fact that I only have to buy one adult plan and 2 kids plans also makes it a lot more worth while. I'm planning on 2 TS meals a day, and we'll figure out what to do with our other credit along the way. And, since we're doing the early arrival and late departure, we have almost 6 days to burn through... 45 credits and 30 snacks. Okay, it's a TON of food. I'll be lining my luggage with Mickey Mouse Rice Krispie treats!

See, this is how I justified the extra $250 to myself when I upgraded!

 

[jessily]

Great report so far Can't wait to read more. I love Disney in January!

 

[cdhale]

Just a quick update before bed. I need to turn off the football (my Ravens are KILLING me this season) and turn in! Work tomorrow!

Our flight was uneventful. Sophia was somewhat subdued. Hannah was completely hyper, as you can see

Temp in Orlando upon landing (at a little after 9 a.m.)... 39 degrees. WHAT?

The ME area at MCO was completely deserted. We were at the front of the line for our bus, and ended up sharing it with only 2 other families. But on the bus it was clear that the Motrin was wearing off and the fever was coming back. Sophia was fading fast and needed a rest. And for some reason I had packed the Motrin in my checked suitcase, not in my carry-on (oh wait, it was more than 3 oz and would not have survived the strip-search at BWI anyway).

Sophia looking cold and sleepy...

Hannah looking happy and ready to go...

We arrived at the WL and headed to check-in a little before noon. Hannah and Sophia hung out in the waiting area with the TV (Sophia practically asleep) while I found out that there were NO rooms ready, that there wouldn't be any rooms ready for at least an hour, but I could feel free to go to the store and buy some more Motrin. Not very magical.

So we proceeded to hang out in the lobby (I had scrapped all plans of dropping the bags and heading to MK immediately at this point. Sophia was just not up to it) ... for almost two hours until we got our room. In the meantime, Sophia got another dose of Motrin and was perky enough to explore the amazing WL lobby.

A note on my pics... I have a ton of pics of the kids, and not much else. I was so preoccupied with their enjoyment, I never stopped to take pictures of things like our hotel room, our food, the rides, etc... So you'll be seeing a lot of H and S in this TR!

Up next... do we make it to MK?? And why is it so COLD??

 

[ladybugmom]

I'm here Cheryl!! GREAT TR--your girls are adorable!! I hope Sophia's fever goes away and you can head to MK!! Can't wait to read more!!

 

[BippityBoo]

BOOOO for being sick on vacation!! Hope she starts to feel better soon!! The WL looks amazing..can't wait to see it in person

 

[cdhale]

I'm here Cheryl!! GREAT TR--your girls are adorable!! I hope Sophia's fever goes away and you can head to MK!! Can't wait to read more!!

Hi Becky! Your TR was really my inspiration to get this one done, so thank you.

This is totally me this morning, though

BOOOO for being sick on vacation!! Hope she starts to feel better soon!! The WL looks amazing..can't wait to see it in person

The WL is wonderful and I would recommend it to anyone. I wish I had a pic of our room. We were in an awesome location... first floor in the same wing as Roaring Forks, but far enough away that we had no noise. Almost right across the hall was an exterior door towards the pool that was also the closest exit to the boat dock, but being a small door didn't get a lot of traffic. Not much view (woods), but I didn't pay for a view.

Even though it costs more, I don't think I'm going to like CR nearly as much.

 

[ladybugmom]

Hi Becky! Your TR was really my inspiration to get this one done, so thank you.

This is totally me this morning, though

Aww! Thanks! No problem, Cheryl!! I feel ya!! I'm not quite awake this morning!