A totally un-entertaining trip report

[maxiesmom]

There. You can't say you weren't warned.

I've only been back 2 whole days from 4 day/ 5 night trip to the World, and I miss it already. I want to go back! Actually, I didn't really want to leave, and my sis was game for staying on too. But no matter how hard I looked at my airline ticket, the date on it didn't change. And as I didn't have a live chicken to sacrifice, we were forced to board the DME bus and head back to reality. Which is Michigan in November. And Michigan in November tends to be cold and snowy. Luckily the gods are smiling on us for a couple of days and the temps have actually been up in the 60's, but there is some of that ugly white stuff in the forcast for this weekend. And here I am, sitting at my computer, wishing I was where I was 1 week ago now. And that is on a plane, on my way to my most favorite place. With some of my most favorite people. Now that I have most likely either bored or confused you, I guess I should get on with my trip reporting. Ready?

THE PLAYERS

Me-Kim, age 41. Soon to be 42. I answer to many names, mostly Kim, Aunt Kim, or Chucky. Yes Chucky. Not like the doll, more like the Charlie Brown comic strip. It was a nickname given to me long ago, and what can I say, it stuck. But it is only used by family members. No one else has dared try it.

Bobbi-age 44. My only sibling. My older sis. And I never let her forget it. You are older than me!!!!!!!! Hah!!!

Kev-age 45. My sis's long suffering hubby. He is the very picture of patience, until it is all gone. It takes a lot to get this man riled up, which is a good thing, considering what we all put him thru.

Brandon-age 17. My sis's oldest, and my handsome nephew. He was the most mellow baby on the face of the earth when he was born, and he is still that way as a young adult.

Bethany-age 13. Also known as Beth, B, and Sparky. A whirlwind of a child. The girl has been moving sense the day she was born. It is nearly impossible to get this child to sit still and relax. As high strung as her brother is mellow. How can 2 children from the same parents be so different? Seriously.

Kailey-age 8. Also goes by KK or Princess. A total girly girl. Loves to dress up and have her every wish granted. As she said one day "I know Aunt Kim spoiles me, but I like it!" But she is not a brat! So don't even think it!

The planning

Well, this trip was kind of sorta planned during our trip this past May. Darn that Disney for putting bounceback offers in the room! How dare they entice us to return yet again? But there it was, a little flyer that looked like a clock, and what can I say? I just had to book 2 rooms for a return trip this October. Well, my b-i-l Kev didn't think I had to, but my sis thought it was a good idea, so we booked. Two rooms at POR for October 28-Nov 2. Those were the dates we were guessing would work. And it was a total guess, and it would be a new and different school year, and who could tell what would be going on then? Brandon plays viola, and is involved in a few different groups, and Bethany plays basketball, so the dates were a total shot in the dark guess at what be doable.

I was warned at that point that the trip may not happen. That a lot of things could come up that would keep us from all making another trip this year. But I was not discouraged! I knew that where there is a will, there is a way. Especially if sis was on board. Her and her hubby have a pretty good give and take in their relationship, but if one of them really really wants something, the other will usually end up giving in. And my sis is almost as into Disney as I am. So I knew that even if Kev didn't think a trip would happen, that he could be persuaded otherwise. So I was hopeful.

Coming up--So what are our plans, really?

 

[DebbyLof428]

Ok Kim, let's get this show on the road

 

[maxiesmom]

So, what are the plans again?

When I left off, we had made plans to bounceback this October at POR. I've got to say, I love POR. It is one of my most favorite Disney resorts. Right behind the Poly and the Contemporary. And it is the one I can more readily afford, so I was all for having my 4th stay at POR. My sis's kids have all been there, but they don't remember it too much. Our last stay there together was as a legal 6 in a room, and that was tiggggggght! I wouldn't recommend it really. We were all happy when we moved to our offsite suite hotel that trip. But anyway, that was the plan. Four nights at POR. We even made some dining ADRs too. However, for some reason, that plan just didn't feel right.

Have you ever had that? You make plans for a big trip, or even just a day trip, but something feels off. That is what this was. I had some great ADRs made, and my fave resort booked, but something was just wrong. And it didn't help that my bil was already saying that they couldn't afford to go to Disney again this fall. It was just not in their budget, what with basketball camps, soccer camps, and class trips. Big baby! Doesn't he know that money grows on trees? Anyway, even though he was complaining, I still had hope. Sis was still on board. She would say that yeah, they were broke, but then in the next minute e-mail me some great airfare deals she had found. So the trip was still very much up for discussion. And then...

the package discount came out. And after doing some math (which is NOT my strong suit) and checking it twice, I e-mailed my sis. Seems we could downgrade our resort to a value, get the package, and be paying only a couple hundred dollars over what just the park passes would usually cost! Holy cow! A great deal! One even my bil could hardly pass up, though he did try. But then, the knock-out blow for him. I found a great deal on airfare! Our local airport has, quite frankly, stunk for airfare lately. It is a good day when I can find a ticket to Orlando for under $400 a person. No way am I paying that! But luckily there are quite a few other aiports within driving distance. So by driving only an hour and a half away from home, we can fly to Orlando for $160 per person. Round trip. Taxes included. Score!

So I see that my sis is on line at that time, and we start to chat. What are the flight times, how big are the planes, what are the layovers. Yadda, yadda, yadda. That is how our planning works. I find the deals, and then we both discuss. And then when we are happy, we bring her hubby into the loop. So she asks her hubby his opinion on layover times. For the price we have found, we could have either a 41 minute layover both ways, or layovers of around 3 hours each way. Her hubby says he would rather have the short layovers. Fine by me, I will just pick those flights. I think I forgot to say that knowing money was a little tight, I asked her kids if they would like plane tickets to Disney to be the bulk of their Christmas gifts this year. They all were good with that idea, so I was the one putting the tickets on her credit card. So I check the flights, check them again, and then enter in my credit card info and hit the button. That is when I am told "Wait! Kev is not sure now." Ummm, a little too late there people. I already hit the commit button. We are going now, wether you like it or not. You can't sit there and discuss flight times and such, and then after I enter my cc info tell me to wait!

So that is how our first plan morphed into what became our final, real plan. We booked 2 preferred rooms at the All Star Sports for Oct 29- Nov 3. Seems it was much cheaper to fly back on Monday than on Sunday. And this time, the plan felt good! The kids have a day off of school on Oct 31, so with our late flight out, they will only miss 2 days. Plus, Bethany will have her final baskeball game the week before, and Brandon will not be missing any orchestra concerts. So now all we have to do is sit and wait for October 29 to roll around. And to wait for my bil to get accustomed to the idea of paying for another trip to the World so soon after the last one.

On deck: We arrive! Finally! And the burning question of is Magical Express really ever magical or express will be answered.

 

[t1lersm0m]

i'm in!!!!!!