AllyandJack
* Here is where a picture of my girls would be, if
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2001
- Messages
- 4,074
Cast of Characters: Me, 28, multiple trips to Disney as a kid and adult; Scott (DH), 37, multiple trips to Disney with me as an adult; Jen (my bestest friend in the whole world), 28, second trip to disney; Shaun (Jen's DH's), 27, first trip to Disney
Our Dates: 9/24-10/4
Our Location: AKL
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Whenever I'm making a mad dash for my house due to a stomach problem, I always set small goals for myself. I strive to hit certain landmarks instead of thinking about a long trip home. It helps. When I travel, I set goals. Goal Number 1 - Get there alive. Goal Number 2 - My luggage arrives with me. Goal Number 3 - Get the car. Goal Number 4 - Check in.
I am in the process of Goal Number 1. I had never flown Song before. I really enjoyed it. Maybe the Xanax had something to do with it, but I was really relaxed.
I don't know if it's the TV to take your mind off things or if it's the ability to watch the flight on the TV to see where I am and what's happening, but it was a good flight. I focused on the Red Sox game, HGTV, Food Network and the little plane moving closer to FL and I was there in no time at all! 
Goal Number 1 - COMPLETE!!!!
So, now I move to Goal Number 2. The luggage. Geez...tipping the guy $10. really worked. My bags are the first two off the plane. We drag the luggage down to the Emerald Aisle at National. This is the greatest thing ever invented. There was quite a line at the National counter and being able to just walk by it and get my car was fantastic. Those few moments turned into a live saver later in the evening. We get the car - a Chevy Malibu - and proceed to the little booth. There was a huge line here, too! Now is the time I feel it. Anyone with chronic stomach problems knows what IT is. The twinge. The gurgle. Something just isn't quite right. Now I have to make a snap decision! Do I go back to airport or try for the resort. I think, as we're sitting in the National line, how do I even get back in to the airport? I could drive around for 15 minutes before getting back in and then I have to FIND the bathroom.
I make the decision to try for the resort. Five seconds at the little booth with National and I'm off!! 
The sad thing is, I couldn't even enjoy the trip. I usually love the ride and seeing the signs. I couldn't even enjoy the Welcome to Walt Disney World sign. We pull up to AKL and I make a beeline for the lobby. Problem was....I had no idea where I was going. Where was the bathroom?
I ask one CM. "Over there to the right." So, I go right. Nope, not there! I run back to the lobby and ask another CM. "Down there." So, I run to the end of the lobby. Nope, not there! Now, I'm desperate. I find another CM and beg. 
Please, oh, please....where is the BATHROOM?!?!?! "Go to the end of the lobby and down the hall to the right." I'm off again! YAY! There it is!!! Meanwhile, Scott is checking in. This is our first encounter with the CM who we will refer to as The Wet Mop for the rest of the trip. 
I make it to the counter just as Scott is finishing up checking in. She gives us our room number - 2238 - and walks away. Um...hello...WHERE exactly is 2238? Am I supposed to pick a random hallway and hope for the best? She replies, "Oh...I guess you'll want a map then." With a sigh, she sulks off to get the map. Geez....better not ask for one of those resort things that gives you more information!
Luckily, Jen got one, so I used hers for the trip.
So, we're off to the room. I wasn't going to let The Wet Mop put a damper on MY trip. I'm very excited. I booked a Savannah View room. I love giraffes. I heard there are giraffes on every trail, so I'm pretty much guaranteed to see giraffes. I walk into the room, notice our request for a King Sized Bed wasn't met (oh, well....) and run over to the balcony. I pull back the curtains, open the door, step outside and see.....a big, empty fenced in area. It spans for about 50 feet in front of my room. I could see the Savannah...off in the distance. I was very disappointed. When the man came with the luggage (1.5 hours later, by the way), I asked what that big pen was. I still held out hope that it was something animal-related. No such luck. In the event of an emergency, those pens are where the people get evacuated. Great. It's a People Savannah. I have to admit, I was more annoyed at this than I would be if I got a lousy Lagoon View at GF. AKL has a big reputation for upgrading people left and right. So, I knew there was a 90% chance that someone who paid for standard view got a better Savannah View than I did. That bugged me. 
But, it was midnight and the storm was coming in a day or so and The Wet Mop didn't display any hint that she would be helpful, so I just went to sleep.
I was going to MK tomorrow. Jen and Shaun were arriving. There was too much to be excited about to wallow in a lousy view. So, we went to bed (beds, actually, since we have a king at home and the thought of sharing a queen bed didn't appeal to either of us). All of the goals were met. There was nothing left to do but enjoy this trip.
Jen and I figured this is the Trip of a Lifetime for us. This could be our last vacation together before we have kids. This could be our last vacations with our husbands before we have kids. I couldn't wait to get started....even with the impending hurricane.
Our Dates: 9/24-10/4
Our Location: AKL
**************************************************
Whenever I'm making a mad dash for my house due to a stomach problem, I always set small goals for myself. I strive to hit certain landmarks instead of thinking about a long trip home. It helps. When I travel, I set goals. Goal Number 1 - Get there alive. Goal Number 2 - My luggage arrives with me. Goal Number 3 - Get the car. Goal Number 4 - Check in.
I am in the process of Goal Number 1. I had never flown Song before. I really enjoyed it. Maybe the Xanax had something to do with it, but I was really relaxed.
I don't know if it's the TV to take your mind off things or if it's the ability to watch the flight on the TV to see where I am and what's happening, but it was a good flight. I focused on the Red Sox game, HGTV, Food Network and the little plane moving closer to FL and I was there in no time at all! Goal Number 1 - COMPLETE!!!!So, now I move to Goal Number 2. The luggage. Geez...tipping the guy $10. really worked. My bags are the first two off the plane. We drag the luggage down to the Emerald Aisle at National. This is the greatest thing ever invented. There was quite a line at the National counter and being able to just walk by it and get my car was fantastic. Those few moments turned into a live saver later in the evening. We get the car - a Chevy Malibu - and proceed to the little booth. There was a huge line here, too! Now is the time I feel it. Anyone with chronic stomach problems knows what IT is. The twinge. The gurgle. Something just isn't quite right. Now I have to make a snap decision! Do I go back to airport or try for the resort. I think, as we're sitting in the National line, how do I even get back in to the airport? I could drive around for 15 minutes before getting back in and then I have to FIND the bathroom.
I make the decision to try for the resort. Five seconds at the little booth with National and I'm off!! The sad thing is, I couldn't even enjoy the trip. I usually love the ride and seeing the signs. I couldn't even enjoy the Welcome to Walt Disney World sign. We pull up to AKL and I make a beeline for the lobby. Problem was....I had no idea where I was going. Where was the bathroom?
I ask one CM. "Over there to the right." So, I go right. Nope, not there! I run back to the lobby and ask another CM. "Down there." So, I run to the end of the lobby. Nope, not there! Now, I'm desperate. I find another CM and beg. Please, oh, please....where is the BATHROOM?!?!?! "Go to the end of the lobby and down the hall to the right." I'm off again! YAY! There it is!!! Meanwhile, Scott is checking in. This is our first encounter with the CM who we will refer to as The Wet Mop for the rest of the trip. I make it to the counter just as Scott is finishing up checking in. She gives us our room number - 2238 - and walks away. Um...hello...WHERE exactly is 2238? Am I supposed to pick a random hallway and hope for the best? She replies, "Oh...I guess you'll want a map then." With a sigh, she sulks off to get the map. Geez....better not ask for one of those resort things that gives you more information!
Luckily, Jen got one, so I used hers for the trip. So, we're off to the room. I wasn't going to let The Wet Mop put a damper on MY trip. I'm very excited. I booked a Savannah View room. I love giraffes. I heard there are giraffes on every trail, so I'm pretty much guaranteed to see giraffes. I walk into the room, notice our request for a King Sized Bed wasn't met (oh, well....) and run over to the balcony. I pull back the curtains, open the door, step outside and see.....a big, empty fenced in area.
It spans for about 50 feet in front of my room. I could see the Savannah...off in the distance. I was very disappointed. When the man came with the luggage (1.5 hours later, by the way), I asked what that big pen was. I still held out hope that it was something animal-related. No such luck. In the event of an emergency, those pens are where the people get evacuated. Great. It's a People Savannah. I have to admit, I was more annoyed at this than I would be if I got a lousy Lagoon View at GF. AKL has a big reputation for upgrading people left and right. So, I knew there was a 90% chance that someone who paid for standard view got a better Savannah View than I did. That bugged me. But, it was midnight and the storm was coming in a day or so and The Wet Mop didn't display any hint that she would be helpful, so I just went to sleep. I was going to MK tomorrow.
Jen and Shaun were arriving. There was too much to be excited about to wallow in a lousy view. So, we went to bed (beds, actually, since we have a king at home and the thought of sharing a queen bed didn't appeal to either of us). All of the goals were met. There was nothing left to do but enjoy this trip. Jen and I figured this is the Trip of a Lifetime for us. This could be our last vacation together before we have kids. This could be our last vacations with our husbands before we have kids. I couldn't wait to get started....even with the impending hurricane.
