Can I Survive 5 Days in Disney With My MOM - A Mother-Daughter Trip Updated 7/23

[tazdev3225]

Reason for the trip - Do we ever really need one?

I was in Disney in December with my DH and there was a bounceback offer. It was the first time I had ever seen one and I wanted to bounceback. I have wanted to see the Flower and Garden Show and this was my opportunity. I asked Jim, my DH, and he said he couldn't take the time off. He could but really wanted didn't want to. His response - go alone. Um no, I don't do solo. Then a light bulb went off in my head, ask my mom. I called her on the first day; she was interested but had to ask my dad. It took 4 days but she finally called me back. "I can go but under one condition, we have to go on It's A Small World." DUH, that is a must ride for me. The last time my mom and I went on a mother-daughter trip I was 8 y/o and we went to the World's Fair in NYC. We rode IASW and I was in love. So with my mom in I booked the trip.

I came home and told my kids, they laughed. I told my aunt (mom's baby sister), she laughed. I told my friends, they laughed. I was confused, after all what could be so bad taking a trip with my mom. Oh yeah, my mom and I can go for weeks without speaking to each other because we have BIG disagreements.

I am the daughter my mom always wanted and never had. We are very opposite in a lot of ways. My mom loves Victorian literature, not me. That's my SIL. I majored in Medieval lit. My mom loves art, pretty classic art. I like the Scream and Van Gogh. My mom likes science and everything making sense. I like psychology - voodoo medicine in her mind. My mom likes to do crafty things. I hem my pants with a stapler. I love Disney, she looks at me like I have 2 heads. You get the picture, not exactly alike.

Before I go on let me introduce the cast of characters:

Me - Lorrie - the daughter. Lover of Disney, favorite character Grumpy.
Here I am with Grumpy

Mom - Esther - the mother. Doesn't understand Disney
Mom with my grandson

Past trips:
My first trip was in 1988. My baby brother's school organized a trip to Disney. My parents were going and my DH and I took our kids too. Mom didn't get it I was hooked.
I went again in 1992 with my kids and "the babysitter". Let us say it was not a pleasant trip and my kids refer to it as the trip where "mom tried to stab the babysitter with a fork".
We went again in 1997 and my mom came on the trip with us. It was not a fun trip. My son had panic attacks, my mom thought he was faking and I was stuck in the middle. Mom swore that she hated Disney and would never go again.
I have had several trips since then but mom true to her word never went back. I had to make her see the magic.

I planned. I booked the CP before the MK opens so she can see an almost empty MK. I planned what I thought she would like. I asked for her input, she told me to do what I want and tell her how much. This was going to be a tough sell. How do I make her see the magic? Along the 4 months I had to plan the trip my aunt became part of the equation. My dad's sister lives in Florida, about 35 miles from the World and doesn't go there. I began to question if I was really a part of this family. Now I have two non-believers to convert. Can it be done?

I planned, I had my grandkids asking if they could come with me, I worried about who would watch my grandkids while I was gone, I worried that my DH would starve, I worried that my dog would sleep on my furniture. I made sure that my camera had enough batteries and memory cards. Mom informed me she wasn't taking a camera. I worried that my mom was losing her sanity. Then it came time to leave. Would I survive the trip?

Up next DAY 1.

 

[appleorchard]

Great start! I love mother and daughter stories--they're always so full of...fun, and other things.

 

[tazdev3225]

Great start! I love mother and daughter stories--they're always so full of...fun, and other things.

Thank you. This one will be full of fun and other things. I love my mom but she does get to me.

 

[heaven2dc]

Oh boy....a mother/daughter trip - I smell disaster!! Just kidding!! This shoudl be fun and hopefully lots and lots of pixie dust made the trip turn out great after all. (I love my daughter too but she gets to me sometimes )

 

[tazdev3225]

Oh boy....a mother/daughter trip - I smell disaster!! Just kidding!! This shoudl be fun and hopefully lots and lots of pixie dust made the trip turn out great after all. (I love my daughter too but she gets to me sometimes )

You will have to read along to see how things went. I don't want to give anything away. I have always butted heads with my mom. I was a Daddy's girl. I do have 2 grwon daughters now and we can get on each others nerves at times. I think that is just a mother/daughter thing.

 

[Tiggeye]

Can't wait to read! We did a mother-daughter trip in January to Disneyland it worked out great.

 

[tazdev3225]

Can't wait to read! We did a mother-daughter trip in January to Disneyland it worked out great.

Thanks for joining. I will be updating with the start of Day 1 soon.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

joining along on this trip report!

 

[tazdev3225]

joining along on this trip report!

Welcome aboard.

 

[JanetMom]

I can't imagine a trip with my mother, so I'm joining in the fun to see how this goes.

 

[tazdev3225]

I can't imagine a trip with my mother, so I'm joining in the fun to see how this goes.

Welcome aboard. I have always said that too. We can't even go to the Jersey shore without arguing and that's only for the day. Yet we stop at the same restaurant and order the same food. I will have a start to the trip sometime tonight.

 

[pipermae]

Just jumping on board! I can't wait to read what could be sitcom-esque stories.

 

[tazdev3225]

Just jumping on board! I can't wait to read what could be sitcom-esque stories.

Welcome aboard. You will have to read along to see how it went. There were some interesting moments though.

 

[tazdev3225]

Days leading up to departure.

We were scheduled to leave on Friday April 30th. That Monday I came down with an ear infection. By wednesday it was worse even though I had been on antibiotics. I went back to the drs. and got a stronger antibiotic. Then I stopped at Target for a few last minute things. I debated getting more memory for my camera but decided that 32 GB would be enough. After dropping my script off at the pharmacy I headed home to start packing. I had new shorts, socks and undies (thank you Victoria's Secret, I love the free coupons). I realized it was getting late and went back to the pharmacy to pick up my meds. My wallet wasn't in my car. Thinking I must have left it home I paid cash for the meds, a whopping $2 love my prescription plan. I went home to locate my wallet and it wasn't there. I began to panic. I went back to the car to search for the wallet and my DH searched the house. It was missing. DH called Target but they said it wasn't there. I began to worry that I would have to cancel the trip. DH being much calmer than me made a phone call and he was off the next day. He would watch the grandkids and I would replace my ID and everything else that I had to have. I canceled my cards on line. I calmed down enough to sleep.

Thursday: My DH and I headed up to my DD's. I had to take her to work and then head off to the DMV. He was watching the grandkids and even started the laundry for me. I do that at my DD's while I watch the kids. I headed straight to the DMV and 10 minutes later I had my license, I could at least get on the plane. I headed back the other way to get my cards replaced. I had to pass Target so I decided to try again and see if my wallet was there. I knew that was where I last had it. The woman at customer service checked the drawer where they would have put it. As she opened it I saw a glimpse of brown. My wallet had been there the wholetime. Everything was in it including my $300. I never found out who the good samaritan was but I knew it was pixie dust. I called my mom. She took the credit because she prayed to St. Anthony. Foolish woman, it was the Disney Fairies that found my wallet. I did have to replace my cards though so I headed to the bank. After I finished all of the little errands I went back to my DD's. I finished the laundry. In no time I was leaving my DD's. I said good-bye to my babies. I would miss them, well for a second or two anyway. I finished packing and had my bags by the door for the morning. My furbaby followed me all over the house. She knew I was leaving. I headed off to bed. The big day was tomorrow and my flight was early.

Friday April 30th - DAY 1

Finally the day was here but way too early. My flight was at 7AM. My DH let me sleep in for a few extra minutes. I showered while he loaded his truck. I left my car with my DD so she could get to work that day. After saying good-bye to my furbabies we were off to pick up my mom. Five seconds from her house she was calling me. She thinks I am still 16 and always late for everything. I tried to tell her that no one is late for Disney. We loaded her one piece of luggage into the truck and we were off. I took pics on the way to the airport. Mom just shook her head.

DH driving

We arrived at the airport and after a quick kiss good-bye my DH was off and it was mom and me. We did curbside check-in and my chariot was brought to me. I have a special needs request for a wheelchair because I have a knee with no cartilage along with some other problems. Mom shook her head. She knows I have a disability but she doesn't accept it. We were quickly on our way to security. Mom went straight through. I loaded the bins with my shoes, carry-on, cameras and coins. I went through the scanner. BEEP. BEEP. I went back and made sure my pockets were empty. BEEP, BEEP. I had to be patted down. My mom pretended not to know me. She gets embarrassed at these type of things. Then it dawned on me what the problem was. I had on shorts with metal, alot of metal. I had metal buttons, grommets and hooks. TSA secure in the knowledge that I wasn't a terrorist just a harmless nitwit sent us on our way.

We made it to our gate to sit and wait. We were early. I passed the time taking pictures. Mom shook her head and looked away. I got our luggage and plane.

The plane boarded around 6:30 and I got a window seat. I took more pics. I was really happy with them. The air was very clear.

The captain announced our descent into Orlando, twenty minutes early. We whizzed through ME and got right onto our bus. Some pics from the airport

Soon I was seeing the happiest sight in the world

First stop

I have never stayed there but it looks like a fun resort. Next

Our resort. We were the only ones getting off so check-in was a breeze. My aunt was joining us the next day so I made those arrangements. Our room wasn't ready - but wait, some more pixie dust. The CM switched us to a room that was. Not an upgrade but I was really happy. I picked up my scooter and we were off to Aruba. I opened the door to the room and I think I gave a little shout of joy. I had a towel animal. Mom at this point thought I was insane. It was a towel with paper stick on eyes. I took a picture.

Then I really got excited. There was a hidden Mickey on the spread. I tried to tell her what that meant. She just shook her head. She was going to be a hard sell. We used the rest room, dropped off the carry-ons and were headed to the bus stop. It was only 11:00, we were really ahead of my projected
schedule. The bus was there within minutes and we were off to our first park.

What park was first? That will be answered soon.

 

[heaven2dc]

I love your excitement! It would be so much fun traveling with you - we must have been separated at birth I have the same excitement whenever I visit WDW. (My kids don't share my enthusiasm either - wonder if they are related to your mom )

I'm going to guess Magic Kingdom as your first park!

 

[GaRain]

On board for what might make to be a very interesting ride!
I too bet you head to the Magic Kingdom.

(still in shock that people just "don't get it" at Disney! )

 

[tazdev3225]

I love your excitement! It would be so much fun traveling with you - we must have been separated at birth I have the same excitement whenever I visit WDW. (My kids don't share my enthusiasm either - wonder if they are related to your mom )

I'm going to guess Magic Kingdom as your first park!

Thanks. I don't get how anyone couldn't be excited at Disney. My kids don't get it as much either. I guess they must take after her. SHH - don't tell them, they might no agree.

On board for what might make to be a very interesting ride!
I too bet you head to the Magic Kingdom.

(still in shock that people just "don't get it" at Disney! )

Welcome aboard. It was an interesting ride as you will see. I don't understand the people that don't get it. I often wonder if I was adopted.

The first day will continue soon so I will keep you all hanging for a little longer.

 

[tazdev3225]

When I left off we were headed to our first park. The winner is

I always go to MK first but we had a short trip and no PH's. My mom didn't even know this park existed so it was a good first choice. I had a mission when we entered the park but did get a few pics. I have to remember to make a note of what the animals are.

Never noticed this before

When I took this pic I was excited. I love the move Madagascar. I really love King Julian, he cracks me up. I was showing the pics to my DGS who is 11. He looked at me as if I was ready for a retirement village, and in a way only a tween boy could said, "Grandmom, You're crazy. That's Timon." He now points to the strangest things and says, "Grandmom, look King Julian." He's lucky I love him. Some more pics from along the way to my quest

I have no idea who this is but I had never seen him before

Them my quest was over. The first thing I wanted my mom to see

I saw my mom smile. She was impressed, Was the magic starting to take hold? We were off to a good start. Up next was Kilimanjaro Safari. I love this ride. I try to get really good shots of the animals. It is a mission for me. When we got there the wait time said 30 minutes. I really don't thonk we waited more than 15 or 20 minutes. The wait went by really quickly. I will continue in another post as I don't want to break up the ride. Up next Kilimanjaro Safari and some interesting views.

 

[heaven2dc]

Oh....My.....Gosh! You saw your mom smile - could this be the beginning of Magical trip after all??!! (j/k I'm glad she enjoyed seen Devine. How did you know where to find her?)

 

[Kelrykengab]

Hi! I am enjoying your TR so far. Very funny! I have not seen that "tree person" before. How cool! I think we were there at the same time staying in the same resort. We did CBR May 1-9. I look forward to hearing about more mother and daughter time.