"But Mom, I want to come back to WDW!"

[blue_river]

Let’s see 9 days trapped in a house with my parents or possibly freezing to death….I’ll get back to you on that

It was 13 days and although I complained about feeling trapped it was nice being the baby again.

Seriously I don’t know what I would do with out my parents; they are always there for me and my family no matter how many times I screw up.

I know what you mean. My parents had seven children, 35 grandchildren (some great-grandchildren in that number) and they were always there for any one of them that needed help. I really don't know how my mother did it. She was an amazing woman. My father was in the Army and he was away alot which left my mother alone raising all us kids for months at a time. Gee - I have trouble raising two

I think your Ice Storm beats our Hurricane hands down.

I don't think so. We didn't lose our homes - only had to temporarily move out. Not only that, I don't recall any other disasters in Canada and you guys are having hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes often!

You sound like my wife, when we weren’t with our kids on our last trip she constantly worried about them and they are both Adults.

Mothers are very special people

That's what mothers do best and yes they are very special

Hey! You found Nemo!

So sorry about your mother! I know how hard it must be to get over that.

Yes, I wanted to take Nemo home but they wouldn't let me

Thank you for your kind words. It has been difficult but you do it - you don't have a choice.

My family and I went on our first 3 visits to WDW with my mother. 1990, 1996 and 1998. She passed away summer of 2005. 57 years old. She had cancer and didn't know it until it was too late.

She left me some money, which was hard. What the heck do you do with money you get from losing your mom? I decided to take the family back to the World with it. I just knew she would want that.

So we went at Christmas. Also her favorite time of year. Everytime I went into a stall in a restroom, it would open. She was with me. I just knew it!! Then out of the blue I heard someone calling my name. It was a friend of my mothers. I yelled "NO WAY, NO WAY". Until everyone was looking at me. It was so cool. Drive 1300 miles and run in to someone that lives no more than 20 miles away.

Anyway, your moment at Epcot made me think of my mom and all the good times we had there.

Thanks for sharing!!

I'm so sorry for your loss also. 57 is too young. My mother was 72.

How wonderful for you to have spent time in WDW with your mother. That's very special and thanks for sharing your memories with me.

This is a great report...I have read all of it today...you are the reason none of my house work got done today

I need to know how it turned out!!

Well mom of 3 - I think with a nickname like that you needed a break from housework!

I'm glad you are enjoying it and hopefully it will give you another rest from work when I post my next installment.

I can relate completely to loosing your mother so soon before a vacation. We took our last trip because of my mothers passing (in part) because it was such a bad year with loosing her and my step father a few months later, that we needed to start 2007 somewhere happy. Disney is one of the best medicines I know for a grieving heart, it sure helped us deal with things. I'll miss my mom everyday and I'm sure you do too but we both know that our mom's were watching us on the trips and were glad we had a great time, cause thats what mom's do.

Losing your mother and step father within months of each other must have been very difficult for you. I'm so sorry.

Disney was one of the best medicines for me as is this trip report. It's kept me busy and my mind on happier times.

I do hope my mother was watching us on our trip - I don't know how she couldn't have since it was all I talked about with her before she passed away. She was so excited for us and listened to me blab on and on about our plans.

Wonderful, blue. What beautiful memories you have from your trip. Keep up the good work!

Thanks babyPJ! I'm planning on making some new ones this year

Hope all is well with you

 

[ndelaware]

Great installment Blue!!! Aren't Florida hurricanes fun? We've been chased out of Florida twice by hurricanes. These days we always head down in the winter so we get to avoid them thankfully.

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

Your mom sounds like such an amazing person. I'm so sorry for your loss. I had an emotional moment at EPCOT too. There is a picture of me Buzz took and my eyes are really glassy. I was trying hard not to just break down. The songs from that Illuminations did it to me. They're so touching.

I'm doing some things that are helping me. The past few months, I felt like I was just sinking, but I think I've found something to get me out of my pit of despair. Losing a loved one is shattering. I'll email you about what I've been doing. It's really helped me. It's a little nutty sounding though.

Our favorite park is EPCOT. I loved the snail picture. Your family has no fear of those things! Mine would be freaking out! Me included! I like to look at them, but not really touch them.

We loved the Nemo ride. Where are the dolphins? We missed them!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

That ice storm must have been something! Wow, what a crazy story.

Our kids aren't big on snails or lizards, but then, neither are we. That's pretty neat your husband captured that lizard for the girls. It's too bad they didn't join you at Epcot though. That's our favorite park. My son lives and breathes Test Track and our family favorite (except the boy) is Soarin'.

I've seen Linnie cry once and, like your husband, I knew exactly what the problem was. We were out of wine Actually, my wife is kind of a hard butt and rarely cries. Even when she does cry, she does it in private.

My son is the same way... he rarely cries. My DD, however, breaks out in tears at the drop of hat. She's still my baby

I don't think we've ever seen the dolphins at Epcot for whatever reason but next time down, you HAVE to try the dolphin soup at the Land. It's to die for!!

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

I've seen Linnie cry once and like your husband, I knew exactly what the problem was. We were out of wine Actually, my wife is kind of a hard butt and rarely cries. Even when she does cry, she does it in private.

Yes, he's my soulmate....

I don't think we've ever seen the dolphins at Epcot for whatever reason but next time down, you HAVE to try the dolphin soup at the Land. It's fantastic!!

I gotta apologize for my DH. He's a politically incorrect nut.

 

[blue_river]

Great installment Blue!!! Aren't Florida hurricanes fun? We've been chased out of Florida twice by hurricanes. These days we always head down in the winter so we get to avoid them thankfully.

What do you mean chased out??? But it is cold there in the winter - well coldER.

I understand there is a "hurricane season" - does that mean there are none in the winter?

Your mom sounds like such an amazing person. I'm so sorry for your loss. I had an emotional moment at EPCOT too. There is a picture of me Buzz took and my eyes are really glassy. I was trying hard not to just break down. The songs from that Illuminations did it to me. They're so touching.

I'm doing some things that are helping me. The past few months, I felt like I was just sinking, but I think I've found something to get me out of my pit of despair. Losing a loved one is shattering. I'll email you about what I've been doing. It's really helped me. It's a little nutty sounding though.

Our favorite park is EPCOT. I loved the snail picture. Your family has no fear of those things! Mine would be freaking out! Me included! I like to look at them, but not really touch them.

We loved the Nemo ride. Where are the dolphins? We missed them!

Thanks Linnie

Songs get to me too. Everytime I hear Avril Lavigne's song "Slipped Away" it brings tears to my eyes.

I received your email and will be replying today. I have some news for you also.

Epcot is definately not one of our favourite parks but then again we missed so much there that I shouldn't form an opinion on it yet.

You are right about our family having no fear of creatures - well - we all do fear SPIDERS but we still like to examine them and take pictures of the very big ones that hang around our dock.

We missed the Nemo ride

The dolphins were in the Living Seas building. I'd love to try the diving experience with them.

That ice storm must have been something! Wow, what a crazy story.

Our kids aren't big on snails or lizards, but then, neither are we. That's pretty neat your husband captured that lizard for the girls. It's too bad they didn't join you at Epcot though. That's our favorite park. My son lives and breathes Test Track and our family favorite (except the boy) is Soarin'.

I've seen Linnie cry once and, like your husband, I knew exactly what the problem was. We were out of wine Actually, my wife is kind of a hard butt and rarely cries. Even when she does cry, she does it in private.

My son is the same way... he rarely cries. My DD, however, breaks out in tears at the drop of hat. She's still my baby

I don't think we've ever seen the dolphins at Epcot for whatever reason but next time down, you HAVE to try the dolphin soup at the Land. It's to die for!!

We went back to Epcot on Day 7 - so I will have more on that later, but we still missed a lot.

at your out of wine comment! Linnie a hard butt?? I wouldn't have thunk it I'm a baby and cry much too easily.

Dolphin soup???? YUCK!!! are you being serious or is that you joking around again?? I never know with you

Yes, he's my soulmate

I know that feeling

I gotta apologize for my DH. He's a politically incorrect nut.

and he enjoys every minute of it

 

[poppinspal]

Having a hurricane hit while I'm at WDW is my biggest fear. Not because I'd be worried about the hurricane itself, more a ruined vacation. Although if I had to weather out a storm my choice of venues would be WDW not Boston.

 

[ndelaware]

What do you mean chased out??? But it is cold there in the winter - well coldER.

I understand there is a "hurricane season" - does that mean there are none in the winter?

We were in West Palm Beach both times that we cut our trip off early due to hurricanes. The second time the big one that hit Tampa then Orlando was just getting to WDW while we were on I-95 just outside of Daytona. We drove all the way up the east coast behind one hurricane (at least what was left of it) and infront of another.

Most times whem we are there in January or Febuary the temps hang around 70-80F. It feels much better to be somewhere 50 degrees warmer is the winter than the summer. For the rest of Florida their "high season" in in the winter not in the summer. When Disney prices start going up as Spring approaches most of the rest of the state is lowering their prices since not alot of people go down after spring break is over. That is how we were in Palm Beach in July/August. The hotel room we stayed in is $500 in January and $100 in August.

Hurricane season is in pretty much August and September.

 

[mlill]

Off Topic: I’m adding this in for my American readers who probably don’t see any Canadian news. The biggest disaster we have experienced living in Canada was the great ice storm of 1998. We had 3 or 4 days in a row of freezing rain in early January. The build up of ice on our trees and hydro lines was disastrous. We lost power to our home on the first day...
Over 4 million Canadians lost power in that storm and some for as long as three weeks. End of off topic story.

WoW! We just had a weekend of ice and freezing rain over here, and we lost power for only one day! I thought that was bad, but I can't even imagine what surviving your big ice storm was like! No wonder the kids were freaked out!

It sounds like you have a great hubby who understands you well. I'm very sorry for your loss. I also get emotional at WDW, and probably always will. I'm glad your DH is there for you...

Can't wait to read more!
Have a great week!
-Michelle

 

[fizz13]

Hi there,
I just got through your whole report and am loving it, the pics of JoJo when she was tiny were so cute You would laugh at us Brits I'm sure, after hearing about that canadian ice storm, we get 2" of snow and go to pieces here, the country shuts down i know you were saying that you couldn't fit it all in, but you obviously did disney right as your girls are so keen to get back soon, great planning. BTW, very jealous of all your shopping time, I'm so busy marching round the parks that i never make enough time for this, so I'm going to take a leaf out of your book next time
Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us, what a great family you have,

 

[sweetpea29488]

Hi Blue,
I'm really enjoying your TR. What dates where you at Disney. We were there in August last year also and I'm thinking we were there at the same time. We also chose Epcot for that same day as well.

 

[blue_river]

Having a hurricane hit while I'm at WDW is my biggest fear. Not because I'd be worried about the hurricane itself, more a ruined vacation. Although if I had to weather out a storm my choice of venues would be WDW not Boston.

I agree with you on this one. We will be returning during hurricane season again this year (if all goes well) and DH has heard that there are supposed to be more this year. We'll just hope for the best.

We were in West Palm Beach both times that we cut our trip off early due to hurricanes. The second time the big one that hit Tampa then Orlando was just getting to WDW while we were on I-95 just outside of Daytona. We drove all the way up the east coast behind one hurricane (at least what was left of it) and infront of another.

Most times whem we are there in January or Febuary the temps hang around 70-80F. It feels much better to be somewhere 50 degrees warmer is the winter than the summer. For the rest of Florida their "high season" in in the winter not in the summer. When Disney prices start going up as Spring approaches most of the rest of the state is lowering their prices since not alot of people go down after spring break is over. That is how we were in Palm Beach in July/August. The hotel room we stayed in is $500 in January and $100 in August.

Hurricane season is in pretty much August and September.

Sounds like you were lucky!

I suppose you are right about the temperature thing during the winter months - especially if you live in Canada like us

I believe when we went in late August the rates were value - but I'm not positive on that.

It worked out well for us because of the free dining otherwise a winter trip would be our preference I guess.

WoW! We just had a weekend of ice and freezing rain over here, and we lost power for only one day! I thought that was bad, but I can't even imagine what surviving your big ice storm was like! No wonder the kids were freaked out!

It sounds like you have a great hubby who understands you well. I'm very sorry for your loss. I also get emotional at WDW, and probably always will. I'm glad your DH is there for you...

Can't wait to read more!
Have a great week!

Thanks Michelle

I have read a few of the times you were emotional at WDW in your trip report and it reminded me so much of myself.

Sounds like you also have a wonderful husband

Hi there,
I just got through your whole report and am loving it, the pics of JoJo when she was tiny were so cute You would laugh at us Brits I'm sure, after hearing about that canadian ice storm, we get 2" of snow and go to pieces here, the country shuts down i know you were saying that you couldn't fit it all in, but you obviously did disney right as your girls are so keen to get back soon, great planning. BTW, very jealous of all your shopping time, I'm so busy marching round the parks that i never make enough time for this, so I'm going to take a leaf out of your book next time
Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us, what a great family you have

at your comment about going to pieces after 2" of snow. You are definately not alone in that - there are lots of places like that

Shopping time is a must on our list of things to do - I'm just lucky I have two daughters who feel the same way and a husband who doesn't mind going off and doing his own thing while we do shop!

I appreciate your comments

Hi Blue,
I'm really enjoying your TR. What dates where you at Disney. We were there in August last year also and I'm thinking we were there at the same time. We also chose Epcot for that same day as well.

We went from August 26 - September 2 and back in time to have a weekend rest before the kids started school for the year.

We may have seen each other! Maybe we're in each others pictures - wouldn't that be a hoot!!!

Thanks for reading and posting.

 

[RunDanceSkate]

I've read through your report and I'm ready for more. Our trip was Aug 23rd to Sept 3rd. On the day of the hurricane that wasn't, they opened AK early to replace the evening hours, We rode EE several times by ourselves at 7am, with freezing cold rain hitting our face, it was a blast.

We lived through the ice storm as well, our home was near VKH at that time. We had a month without power. DD was only a year old, luckily she was still nursing because supplies were so hard to get. We lived at the DS elementary school. I would definily take an ice storm over a hurricane.

Cindy

 

[blue_river]

I've read through your report and I'm ready for more. Our trip was Aug 23rd to Sept 3rd. On the day of the hurricane that wasn't, they opened AK early to replace the evening hours, We rode EE several times by ourselves at 7am, with freezing cold rain hitting our face, it was a blast.

We lived through the ice storm as well, our home was near VKH at that time. We had a month without power. DD was only a year old, luckily she was still nursing because supplies were so hard to get. We lived at the DS elementary school. I would definily take an ice storm over a hurricane.

Cindy

Hey - nice to see you here!

I remember that they opened early that day - it was supposed to be extra magic hours in the evening. I'm glad you had a blast!

A MONTH without power?? and I thought 13 days was bad.

I'm in agreement with you on the ice storm over the hurricane.

Did you spot yourself anywhere in the pictures????

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

blue, this is from my cell phone in Orlando with only one bar! am I dedicated or what? anyway, we'll catch up next week.

 

[fizz13]

can we some more please? ......please?

 

[mas6010]

I started reading your TR last night and just caught up and finished today. Loved it. That is funny about JoJo hating disney and then loving it. I have one like that also only he is 6. We are going back this Sept. and he is soooo excited. Soory about your Mother, My mother passed away on my son's 1st birthday and it is hard to even celebrate that. But you must go on.

Looking forward to more on your TR

 

[jojo05]

well my gosh mother, whats the hold up. we're waiting to hear the rest.
even though i lived through it,i like to be reminded of what happend. =]
hurry and get typing.

 

[blue_river]

MDF: That's really cool - posting from your cell phone!

fizz, mas & jojo: I am going to try and wrap it up by next week.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

If you can drag it out a little, I'll finish two in the time it took you to finish ONE