So we cleared out of base housing on September 10th, but weren't checking into OKW until the 12th. As we had pets in tow, we made reservations at the nearest pet friendly hotel and settled in for phase one of our month of transient living (which is still in progress at this point). We watched an alarming amount of HGTV, because it's semi-kid-friendly and not mind numbing for the adults.
My mom's flight was landing around 1:30 so our goal was to get to the resort by 3 o'clock. With three kids, two dogs and a cat - we figured we'd need lots of extra time for pit stops and I suspected the kennel check in would take some time. So we set our alarms for 4AM, intending to be packed up and on the road by 5AM. Surprisingly, we succeeded, even with a long delay at check out because no one was at the desk.
Packed in like sardines.
At this point, the girls still believed we were on the road to Texas and were eager to see the Grandmas. It was sheer luck, and a lot of gullibility on their part, that allowed us to keep this secret beyond the Florida state line. You see, in order to explain why we were in Florida and big Disney arch - we told the kids we'd be visiting the area where Daddy grew up along the way to Texas. Then told them that Mickey Mouse was HUGE in Florida...lol. They bought it without question.
The dogs, chillin' for the ride.
After many stops along the way, we knew we were getting close when these signs came into view.
Now while all my girls can read, they were all completely engrossed in their Kindle Fire and indifferent to the scenery or signage. Thank goodness!
This one, however, caught a little bit of attention. But they were still under the impression that we were no where near WDW...gullible!
And this is the point were the whole Surprise thing was about to deteriorate. I was attempting to give my husband directions to the kennel following my iPhone. Well we missed the turn off and ended up driving right through the Magic Kingdom gates!
Where I got my first Monorail picture.
We got back on course and finally found the kennel, it was about 2PM at this point and I knew the Grandmas had landed and were en route via the Magical Express. When I'd looked up pictures of the kennel online, I'd noticed the various outside decor but had totally missed the Lady and the Tramp theme. I'd even told Robby that it wasn't overly Disney (so little risk of ruining the Disney surprise.) Oops
And here's where things got sticky. As explained before, Jasper has canine epilepsy and is prone to seizures. I'd explained all this over the phone multiple times when making the reservations. I'd called for follow up about it and made alterations to the reservations to satisfy their concerns. I'd been reassured a few weeks before the trip that his medical condition would not be a problem for boarding at the kennel.
And then it was a problem. They were perfectly willing to board Yoshi and Tigerlily but referred us to a vet a few miles away for Jasper. On the day of our check in. I'm usually a very go-with-the-flow sort of person but after talked to several different people about this very issue and accepting all their changes, in spite of the extra costs, I had to fight to get him accepted. Thankfully, the last person I'd spoken to a few weeks before had made plenty of notes in the reservation that backed up exactly what I was saying and they took Jasper on!
In the midst of all this, the Grandmas were on a bus and hopefully having more fun than me.
Sooo, as expected, the kennel situation took a long time to deal with and we pulled up to the Old Key West gate right as the rain began to fall. At least it would help wash some of the bug guts off our car. We took one loop around the Hospitality House parking lot while I tried to reach the Grandmas to see where they were. As we did so, a Magical Express bus pulled in and they texted to say they were pulling up now. What timing!
The kids, still completely unaware of where we truly are by some magical fluke, were only mildly surprised when Grandma Goofy opened the door to say hello to them. They claim to have been "Sooooo surprised" but could have fooled us.
While waiting to complete our check in (I did it online) the kids were given balloon swords and danced around the lobby sword fighting with Grandma Goofy and Daddy (who are big kids at heart).
Finally, with keys in hand, Robby and I drove the van over to our villa on Turtle Pond, while the Grandmas and the kids walked. This allowed me to set up their surprise packs and dresses before they came in.
I wasn't the only one who came with gifts though, the grandmas had bags of their own for the girls and soon the villa looked like it had exploded its Disney guts all over the place.
They still didn't seem to truly grasp that we really and truly were ate Walt Disney World even after opening up everything. Though there was a lot of appreciation for their new toys and clothes! I haven't really looked at the video footage yet but it took us actually telling them for it to "click".
Now for a few confessions: 1) There will be no food pictures in this Trip Report...I know, I know but I didn't even think about it. 2) The pictures of the villa are limited and there had already been a certain amount of destruction because of the surprise.
We were in a two bedroom villa but I either didn't take a picture of the other room or didn't edit it to include it. Probably I didn't like how it came out.
Our first ADR of the trip was not for a couple hours so my Mom and I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things for the villa (yay for Kitchens!) and by the time we got back all the kids had changed into new clothes and were ready to go to dinner!
But there was a small problem...and this is where the TR title really begins. Before leaving, we all grabbed our room keys (and I took the kids). All of us except one...
Robby. My darling husband had already lost his key. *headdesk* I'm not sure how it's possible he lost his key in less than three hours but he did! We never did find it either but since meals were all done on one card anyway - it wasn't a priority, yet.
After accepting that the key was gone, we headed toward to bus stop to catch a bus to the MK. My mom would be annoyed if she knew I was posting this picture but...well I am anyway because it cracks me up. She was making faces with one of the girls across from her.
After hopping off the bus and beginning our walk over to the Contemporary, we got the first call from the kennel about Jasper. Yep - less than 6 hours in their care and he'd had a seizure. Poor pup.
Now if you haven't figured out where we are going for dinner, I'll give you a hint...
During the planning phase, Chef Mickey's seemed like the ideal kick off to the trip to really get the kids excited for being in the Mouse House! And it was!
Character meet and greets in next post.
and unfortunately he didn't get to meet her. A fact which he still grumbles about 
I love your daughter's names! -Amanda 
