On March 15th at 8:54 p.m. we got a call on our cell phone that my dhs step-dad had passed away.
We were standing in a special roped-off viewing area in front of Italy at Epcot waiting for Illuminations to begin. Reflections had many meanings as we watched the beautiful fireworks that night. Having been raised (after the death of his birth father at 18 months) by a single mom until he was eleven, I know dh was reflecting on the love and inspiration this proud WWII veteran had given him for all of his teen and adult life.
I was reflecting on the joy our dds had given us, starting 17 years ago this night with the birth of our oldest daughter. We were all reflecting on the love, joy and memories shared with the special loved ones in our lives and celebrating the Circle of Life. To us, joy and memories are what WDW is all about!
This was the beginning of the end of our trip. A lot of sadness all around. DH was worried about his mom and this was dds first experience with the loss of a loved one. The next morning was spent getting flight arrangements made to return home, checking out of our rented villa at SSR, making a trip to the outlet mall to pick up an extra piece of luggage to cart home our Disney treasures. (Discovered a Sonic drive-in on the way & had a little comfort food for lunch.)
Managed to make it to one final PS at Artist Point our favorite Disney restaurant. No EMH for us that evening as planned, but we did catch just a glimpse of Wishes as we left the Wilderness Lodge. Leaving was made easier because we did take a little time and do something at WDW that I have wanted to do for years we joined DVC! We know there are many more magical WDW trips in our future.
But no trip report should be about sadness & our trip had lots of Magic so lets Flashback to the beginning!
The cast of characters for this adventure were me (Rascalmom), DH, DD#1 - having her 17th birthday during this trip, and DD#2 (aka as Tigger, age 12). Our trip started with a very late arrival at WL on March 11th. Well, really it was March 12th at about 2:30 a.m.! Our flight was VERY late, we should have arrived in Orlando at about 11:00 p.m. We were all tired, but exhilarated to finally be at the World.
DH & the girls stayed with the car to deal with the luggage & parking the rental car while I went inside to get us checked-in. I approached the front desk what luck! No line hehe. But no castmembers either. I kind of walked from one end of the desk to the other, thinking where is that little bell Ive always wanted to ring one of those when a cheerful, but slightly azed looking CM appeared from the office behind the desk. I was wondering if he had a cot back there. He looked a little sleepy, but quickly got the ball rolling getting us registered.
As the CM looked me up in his computer, I asked if we would be able to get a non-smoking room & if the bunk beds we had requested in our ressie would be available. Sure, thats what weve got you down for was his response. Yeah! That would make my dds happy my youngest has always wanted bunk beds in her room, so this was a treat for her.
A little typing in the computer & the CM asks what kind of bed did you want? I replied that at this hour, if we were in non-smoking & the dds were getting their bunk bed, I would take anything horizontal. The CM slyly remarked, ya know we charge extra for people checking in in the middle of the night. I ribbed right back & said but I thought there was a special discount for people who only get to use their room for half of the night! He chuckled & excused himself, then stepped back into the office behind the desk. When he came out he announced that he was so sorry, but they were all sold out of standard rooms with bunkbeds. Pause I started thinking do I sacrifice the non-smoking room preferred by dh & I and flair up the allergies or do we sacrifice the bunk beds the dds were hoping for? CM says with a completely sorrowful face, Were going to have to upgrade you to concierge.
WOW! I was so excited Im a bargain hunter at heart & we have never stayed in concierge on any vacation. This was going to be a real treat. I thanked the CM profusely. The CM explained that our room keys would give us access to the 7th floor via the elevator, what the concierge perks were & off we went to our room.
DH & dds werent as excited as I was about the upgrade, but we were all happy to settle into our room & get tucked in for the night... with visions of a week at WDW dancing in our heads!
(Flashback Day 1 coming soon)
We were standing in a special roped-off viewing area in front of Italy at Epcot waiting for Illuminations to begin. Reflections had many meanings as we watched the beautiful fireworks that night. Having been raised (after the death of his birth father at 18 months) by a single mom until he was eleven, I know dh was reflecting on the love and inspiration this proud WWII veteran had given him for all of his teen and adult life.
I was reflecting on the joy our dds had given us, starting 17 years ago this night with the birth of our oldest daughter. We were all reflecting on the love, joy and memories shared with the special loved ones in our lives and celebrating the Circle of Life. To us, joy and memories are what WDW is all about!
This was the beginning of the end of our trip. A lot of sadness all around. DH was worried about his mom and this was dds first experience with the loss of a loved one. The next morning was spent getting flight arrangements made to return home, checking out of our rented villa at SSR, making a trip to the outlet mall to pick up an extra piece of luggage to cart home our Disney treasures. (Discovered a Sonic drive-in on the way & had a little comfort food for lunch.)
Managed to make it to one final PS at Artist Point our favorite Disney restaurant. No EMH for us that evening as planned, but we did catch just a glimpse of Wishes as we left the Wilderness Lodge. Leaving was made easier because we did take a little time and do something at WDW that I have wanted to do for years we joined DVC! We know there are many more magical WDW trips in our future.
But no trip report should be about sadness & our trip had lots of Magic so lets Flashback to the beginning!
The cast of characters for this adventure were me (Rascalmom), DH, DD#1 - having her 17th birthday during this trip, and DD#2 (aka as Tigger, age 12). Our trip started with a very late arrival at WL on March 11th. Well, really it was March 12th at about 2:30 a.m.! Our flight was VERY late, we should have arrived in Orlando at about 11:00 p.m. We were all tired, but exhilarated to finally be at the World.
DH & the girls stayed with the car to deal with the luggage & parking the rental car while I went inside to get us checked-in. I approached the front desk what luck! No line hehe. But no castmembers either. I kind of walked from one end of the desk to the other, thinking where is that little bell Ive always wanted to ring one of those when a cheerful, but slightly azed looking CM appeared from the office behind the desk. I was wondering if he had a cot back there. He looked a little sleepy, but quickly got the ball rolling getting us registered.
As the CM looked me up in his computer, I asked if we would be able to get a non-smoking room & if the bunk beds we had requested in our ressie would be available. Sure, thats what weve got you down for was his response. Yeah! That would make my dds happy my youngest has always wanted bunk beds in her room, so this was a treat for her.
A little typing in the computer & the CM asks what kind of bed did you want? I replied that at this hour, if we were in non-smoking & the dds were getting their bunk bed, I would take anything horizontal. The CM slyly remarked, ya know we charge extra for people checking in in the middle of the night. I ribbed right back & said but I thought there was a special discount for people who only get to use their room for half of the night! He chuckled & excused himself, then stepped back into the office behind the desk. When he came out he announced that he was so sorry, but they were all sold out of standard rooms with bunkbeds. Pause I started thinking do I sacrifice the non-smoking room preferred by dh & I and flair up the allergies or do we sacrifice the bunk beds the dds were hoping for? CM says with a completely sorrowful face, Were going to have to upgrade you to concierge.
WOW! I was so excited Im a bargain hunter at heart & we have never stayed in concierge on any vacation. This was going to be a real treat. I thanked the CM profusely. The CM explained that our room keys would give us access to the 7th floor via the elevator, what the concierge perks were & off we went to our room.
DH & dds werent as excited as I was about the upgrade, but we were all happy to settle into our room & get tucked in for the night... with visions of a week at WDW dancing in our heads!
(Flashback Day 1 coming soon)
