After An Entire Year Of Planning We Winged It! May '10 with 1477 pics 3/26/11 update

[Queenofallthings]

Great start...so sorry to hear about your injury!

Can't wait to hear more...you have a beautiful family!

 

[tracisup]

So sorry to hear about your injury, hope it all turns out well.
I am hopping on board to read all about your trip whenever you find the time to post more.

Thanks. We just choose some pics out for an update and Adam is typing it out on his laptop right now as I while I dictate from my chair!

So sorry about your injury--sounds painfull A great start for your trip report--can't wait to read more!!

Feel Better!!

Thanks! It does hurt. I will be glad to have the surgery over with and start the recovery process!

 

[adamsup]

Day 1 - 5/8/10

I had loaded up the car the night before so the morning would go nice and smooth. Our flight left at 6am so Traci and I were showered and dressed by 4am and ready to surprise the kids.

Our plan was for Traci to be downstairs with the camcorder with Max and for me to wake the girls up and pretend we're going to Nanny's, just like any other weekday.

When I woke them up, Brooklyn and Paris noticed that it was unusually dark outside but I kept up my pretense that we were going to Nanny's and they fell for it.

Once we got downstairs Traci had the camcorder going and we told them we're going to DisneyWorld! So fun!

Once the initial excitement was over, we quickly dressed everyone and set off on the 5 minute drive to the airport. The kids had goldfish crackers and milk on the way - Traci and I skipped breakfast - we had the DXDP coming our way so we knew in a few hours we would be stuffed!

At the Airport

We checked in without any problems and went to find our departure gate. The security check was a real hassle for us. We had several carry-ons and two strollers as well as 3 kids to deal with. Another surprise was that we had to unpack our laptops and all take our shoes off! ('m the one bending down, that older guy just couldn't wait for us so he pushed on through!)

Here's a picture taken just before we boarded the plane. Max has a lapbaby vest on - it hooks to the parent's seatbelt to prevent accidents during turbulence.

That whole security check process was a lot to deal with and caused the plane to delay take off slightly because we were so slow

After we boarded the plane, we noticed that everyone else was sitting in their seats (no doubt waiting (im)patiently for take off). Traci went ahead of me with the kids, her purse and a diaper bag. I had 3 carry-ons and was trying desperately not to swing a bag into someone's face as I squeezed down the tightly packed aisle. Everyone was staring which didn't make it any more pleasant.

We settled into our seats as nonchalantly as we could (which wasn't much!) and waited for take off.

This was the kids' first time flying so they were every excited and didn't need any of the things we had packed for them to keep them busy (and quiet)! Max sat and looked out the window saying "whoa" most of the trip.

We landed in Atlanta and our strollers were waiting for us on the blacktop. Max took a second to admire all the planes but we're not sure that he knew we had just flown on one.

Max slept during the second flight from Atlanta to Orlando.

All in all the trip to Orlando went better than we could have expected. The kids didn't fight at all (Not quite how it went on the way home but we'll cover that later!)

Magical Express

Once we landed in Orlando we made our way to the Magical Express area. It was so exciting to see the transition from mostly adults bustling through the airport to families with kids becoming the main crowd as we got closer and closer to the Magical Express area.

Unfortunately, we didn't get on the Magical Express bus that was parked because we had to take a potty break. By the time we finally got on the next bus it was 12:30pm and I was starting to get concerned about our first ADR at Crystal Palace at 1:30pm.

Brooklyn found a lucky penny on the bus so we knew everything was going to be alright!

Our bus driver asked if there was anyone celebrating their birthday during their trip. Traci yelled out that Paris was and then the bus driver and passengers proceeded to sing Happy Birthday to her. Paris is kinda shy and pretended not to notice and just stared out the window Notice the awkward, shy tongue in bottom lip face that she makes! Aww

You can see a short video of it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWcsjGamdXQ

We knew we were getting closer when the bus driver announced that the Welcome sign was coming up! Here's the obligatory Welcome to Disney World sign picture that we all try to take just as we enter Disney World!

Of course, being on a bus makes it a little harder to get a good pic. Zoom helps though

The bus ride took longer than we had expected because we had to stop at AKL, Poly and the GF (even though at some stops no one got off). Concerned about our ADR, Traci called and tried to get a later reservation but nothing was available.

Finally, the CR here we come!

Next up.... will we make it to our first ADR at Crystal Palace??

 

[Queenofallthings]

What a great start!! I sure hope you make it to your ADR at CP....can't wait to hear!!!

 

[Raecheal]

awwww.. such a good update...

I really can't wait to see if you made your first ADR!

 

[camsmomE]

This TR is so well-written, and I LOVE all the pics, and how you can read about the pics' stories and then boom, there it is.

anyway, what I'm saying is "I'm In!" Cant wait to read all about it! (hope Traci's feelin' better

 

[tracisup]

What a great start!! I sure hope you make it to your ADR at CP....can't wait to hear!!!

We're planning to post an update tonight when the kids are in bed. Can't get anything done when they're around!

awwww.. such a good update...

I really can't wait to see if you made your first ADR!

I can't stand being pressed for time and I HATE being late for things! Stay tuned!

This TR is so well-written, and I LOVE all the pics, and how you can read about the pics' stories and then boom, there it is.

anyway, what I'm saying is "I'm In!" Cant wait to read all about it! (hope Traci's feelin' better

Thanks for the well wishes

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We REALLY need to work on chewing gum etiquette!

P.S. When we left the house, these shorts were NAVY BLUE and matched his shirt perfectly! LOL

 

[tracisup]

 

[Sarah84]

Great start and love the photos, your children are such cuties.

Look forward to the next installment

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Joining in! You guys look so organized! We were at WDW from 5/5 to 5/15. We stayed at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary from 5/9 on. We have two boys (% and almost 4) and a baby girl. Maybe we'll be in the background of your pics (or you guys in ours.) Sounds like a great time! Can't wait to read more. I didn't add a link to our TR in my signature, but if you're interested in reading it...It's the one that start with 2400 pictures! blah, blah, blah.

You're kids are adorable! It's so cute your girls wanted to be surprised!

 

[DaPanMan]

Great start and can't wait to read more!!

Sorry about your shoulder. I've been down that path. I tore my labrum and had a bone spur cutting into my rotator cuff. I was out of commission for a total of 3 months. The worst part was not being able to use my dominate arm, right, for a good 3 - 5 days. Tough when you wanna dry off after taking a shower and you're the one armed bandit.

I had to sleep sitting up for the first few weeks in our recliner.

Hope the proceedure goes smoothly. I will say one piece of advice, cause I went through this with 2 other friends and we all agreed. We felt a little nausea after the operation and the recovery. But we all were starving from not eating all day. I got done around 2 pm. I ate something small and light - for me, Subway 6", and felt much better. Just a suggestion.

 

[tarrbear]

Can't wait to hear more! And your observation about the Orlando Airport and families made me giggle. Whenever we go north we fly out of Orlando cause its typically cheaper than Tampa. And when we get on the plane there are very many families all with Disney Bags and Shirts ect. We are typically the only ones who aren't flying home, everyones returning from vacation and were going on it. Haha, people ask how was are vacation and we say "It hasn't happened yet!" And oh the confused looks we get haha!

 

[TokyoDina]

I'm so nervous for you! I hope you made it!!

 

[tracisup]

Great start and can't wait to read more!!

Sorry about your shoulder. I've been down that path. I tore my labrum and had a bone spur cutting into my rotator cuff. I was out of commission for a total of 3 months. The worst part was not being able to use my dominate arm, right, for a good 3 - 5 days. Tough when you wanna dry off after taking a shower and you're the one armed bandit.

I had to sleep sitting up for the first few weeks in our recliner.

Hope the proceedure goes smoothly. I will say one piece of advice, cause I went through this with 2 other friends and we all agreed. We felt a little nausea after the operation and the recovery. But we all were starving from not eating all day. I got done around 2 pm. I ate something small and light - for me, Subway 6", and felt much better. Just a suggestion.

Thanks. I am also going to be having the surgery on my dominant arm. Not looking forward to that! As far as sleepng in the recliner, I will be fine with that except that I am worried about how I will pop the leg rest out without being able to use my arm. How did you manage that?

Can't wait to hear more! And your observation about the Orlando Airport and families made me giggle. Whenever we go north we fly out of Orlando cause its typically cheaper than Tampa. And when we get on the plane there are very many families all with Disney Bags and Shirts ect. We are typically the only ones who aren't flying home, everyones returning from vacation and were going on it. Haha, people ask how was are vacation and we say "It hasn't happened yet!" And oh the confused looks we get haha!

hehe - I bet that does confuse people!

 

[sjs314]

I can not even imagine making it thru airport security with 3 lil ones, I have about all I can do to get myself thru the line between pulling out my laptop, taking of my shoes etc...
I hope you made your ressie at CP.....

 

[DaPanMan]

Ours is just a push back recliner, we don't have to use have an arm to use to raise and lower it.

The other bit of advice is practice using your other arm, with everything. Eating, brushing your teeth, and other bathroom things. I'm glad I did that, some of the guys I know didn't and well uh......they had some issues.

 

[firechick139]

Sounds like a start to a great review! I'm in!

 

[adamsup]

Great start and love the photos, your children are such cuties.

Look forward to the next installment

Thanks and welcome!

Joining in! You guys look so organized! We were at WDW from 5/5 to 5/15. We stayed at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary from 5/9 on. We have two boys (% and almost 4) and a baby girl. Maybe we'll be in the background of your pics (or you guys in ours.) Sounds like a great time! Can't wait to read more. I didn't add a link to our TR in my signature, but if you're interested in reading it...It's the one that start with 2400 pictures! blah, blah, blah.

You're kids are adorable! It's so cute your girls wanted to be surprised!

I've been wanting to find people that stayed at the same time we did just to see if we could spot ourselves in their pics!

Will definitely head over to your trip report. We thought 1477 pics was a lot!

I'm so nervous for you! I hope you made it!!

Getting ready to post the next update now so you won't have to be nervous much longer!

I can not even imagine making it thru airport security with 3 lil ones, I have about all I can do to get myself thru the line between pulling out my laptop, taking of my shoes etc...
I hope you made your ressie at CP.....

The security check was nothing compared to trying to squeeze onto narrow planes with 3 kids and a ton of bags! We purposefully waited until the very end to board because we don't move quick, but that made it worse for us really because then everyone is seated and scrutinizing us as we're shuffling down the aisle to our seats!

Sounds like a start to a great review! I'm in!

Welcome!

 

[tracisup]

Ours is just a push back recliner, we don't have to use have an arm to use to raise and lower it.

The other bit of advice is practice using your other arm, with everything. Eating, brushing your teeth, and other bathroom things. I'm glad I did that, some of the guys I know didn't and well uh......they had some issues.

not much time left to practice.

Sounds like a start to a great review! I'm in!

Hes typing it now as I type this. Its fun. We look at all the pics and remember each minute of it as we tell the story.

 

[tracisup]

Great start and love the photos, your children are such cuties.

Look forward to the next installment

Thanks for the compliment about our children. They are fun to photograph!

Joining in! You guys look so organized! We were at WDW from 5/5 to 5/15. We stayed at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary from 5/9 on. We have two boys (% and almost 4) and a baby girl. Maybe we'll be in the background of your pics (or you guys in ours.) Sounds like a great time! Can't wait to read more. I didn't add a link to our TR in my signature, but if you're interested in reading it...It's the one that start with 2400 pictures! blah, blah, blah.

You're kids are adorable! It's so cute your girls wanted to be surprised!

Im going to go look at some of your pics now!

I can not even imagine making it thru airport security with 3 lil ones, I have about all I can do to get myself thru the line between pulling out my laptop, taking of my shoes etc...
I hope you made your ressie at CP.....

I think the trick to traveling with little ones is to give yourself a lot of time. Kids are slow and if you allow extra time for things it takes the stress away.