Consumption Confessions 2001 Day 1: hit PAUSE and resume vacation
Any day that begins at 4:00 AM has both the promise of greatness and the certainty of calamity. This one begins with two quick showers, some bagels funneled into two groggy children (dressed the night before in travel clothes) and a burst of coffee. There is some requisite but genuine excitement, and a forgiving pleasantness as we stumble to our car, but there is also the awareness that we are still in pre-experience mode.
With little commotion or comment, we inch through the USAir check in. Our large purple suitcase is pronounced "overweight" - earning my best 6:00 AM reply, "Yes, and...?" And...we can either take out 15 pounds worth of stuff or pay $75. No contest, offers MassDad -- pay it. I pause for a moment, contemplate the extra bag I neglected to bring, and visualize the potential disarray with me scooping out 15 pounds worth of Capris Suns, and waters. Then I remind myself that it is the bag I NEGLECTED to bring along, so I whip out the credit card.
Foiled by USAir (in cahoots with Disney, no doubt) in our feeble attempt to outwit the $2.50 water system, we at least avoid the airport concession stands and settle in with our carry-on snacks and drinks. An uneventful flight, (piece of cake for a family that flew to Japan and back in June), and we arrive ahead of schedule at 10:50 AM.
We are renting from DOLLAR this year. Our competitive spirit can't help but notice the MUCH longer line at last year's counter - Budget. We are up and out at the Dollar counter in record time. A brown Dodge Neon greets us (hands down beating last year's Hyundai EXCEL).
The deja vu is quite powerful as we head down 417. It has been a full year between trips, and the overriding feeling is one of lesser expectation, greater relaxation. We feel like old pros heading for our "summer home" - as if our vacation is merely continuing from last year.
Of the five or so potential plans for Day 1, the kids quickly limit the options. DS's burning desire EDISNEY QUEST!!!!!, DD's equally intense wish EFWIM IN THE POOL!!!!! So, we drop off the boys at Disney Quest with a 4:30 rendezvous plan, and we girls head for our old friend, HIFS.
It's only 11:00 and the lobby is mobbed, so I don't even try to check in. I've packed our suits in our carry-on bag, (along with rain gear, the boys suits, park outfits -- options 2,3,and 4), so we get changed in the bathroom and head straight to the pool.
Nothing can compare with the joyful feeling of being back in the pool! DD smiles and laughs with absolute delight. She has remembered a great deal about the HIFS -- she quickly requests (and receives) a rental float (the ducky this time), and she hops back and forth between the kiddie pool, climbing structure and big pool. There are some new additions too -- mini golf by the pool, and a set up for a light parade surrounding the pond. Both bring big smiles.
After about an hour or so, DD asks to go to our room. Since check-in isn't until 4:00, I'm surprised and relieved to learn that our room is ready. Friendly "Tim" checks us in quickly -- there's a bit of confusion over the room rate, but thank goodness I've printed out all my confirmations booked through Florida Tourist and Travel. Also helpful -- signing up for Priority Club; we get coupons for two free drinks, and more importantly, a 2:00 check out.
Our room this year is Rainforest Theme, Building 9, 4th floor, overlooking the kiddie pool -- in short, PERFECT! DD explores her room, makes a tent on the bunk bed and nestles under the covers watching Clifford. She glows about our suite, "Mommy, lookit how beautiful your room is!" Beautiful, but most important after a full travel day with my attached extra MOMMY limb -- SEPARATE. I do love the HIFS. By 1:15, I've rested a few minutes and unpacked enough to get going. Ready to go see Minnie and Mickey's house? (Her most talked about destination). "No sanks, Mommy. Maybe after this Clifford is over" Promises, promises.
True to her word, when Clifford ends, we're off. The drive to MK is easy enough, but I forget how involved the tram + ferry/monorail process can be. We opt for the Ferryboat which is a pleasant ride -- it forces us to slow down and take our pace down a notch. DD is so relaxed in her stroller she just gazes quietly at the lake.
Suddenly, we're here!!! The castle, main street! The music! I look down at still relaxed DD sucking her thumb and realize that I may be more excited than she is. All the traveling, swimming, and ferrying have tuckered her out, and she sits in her stroller, thumb in her mouth, cuddling her blue blankie in "dare to disturb me" mode. She is nonetheless fully capable of requesting STUFF -- the first one is a pink balloon -- easily granted.
We head for Mickey's Toontown and Minnie and Mickey's houses-- our pink balloon bopping into everyone around us -- sorry, excuse me, sorry. We've brought along BIG Minnie, our adopted third child, from last year's trip so that she can revisit her home. It's a brief reunion, including some gleeful moments in the little playground, but soon we're done with Toontown and on the train heading for Frontierland (more pink balloon assaulting -- sorry, excuse me). We have the option of getting off at Main Street and waiting for the parade -- DD passes. "No sanks."
Instead, she asks to see the "jungle thing"
Me: The Jungle Cruise?
DD: Yeah, is that the one where the animals kalk?
Me: Um, I don't think the animals talk in Jungle Cruise. Do you mean the Country Bear's Show -- with the animals singing like in Chuck E Cheese?
DD: NO! I mean the jungle thing!
Me: The Lion King show? The jungle cruise?
DD: NO! Not any of those!!! Hmph.
She turns away. Sucks her thumb. A moment later.
DD: I'm kalking about the fing with the two birds kalking to each other in the jungle. You know what I mean?
Suddenly light dawns - Oh! The Tiki Birds!
Off the train now and heading for the Tiki Birds when IT happens. All of Adventureland stops in its tracks and watches as a screaming DD wails. Factors contributing to the meltdown: 4AM start to the day, lack of nap, 4-hour plane ride and very active swim and play -- and finally, Mommy saying, "Yes" she can pick out something from the Adventureland Glass Cart, but "No" she can't have the $65 ballerina fairy. CLICK -- the switch is pulled, I am suddenly pushing a screeching siren in my stroller.
It's OK folks, good parent here, nothing to see, keep it moving, just a GOOD mother dealing with her unspoiled, reasonable child. Really. Why, we're just looking over here at the Hawaiian lay and flowered dresses; oh, aren't these cute? See? Crisis over. Crowd resumes its business.
Wearing her new bribe, er, dress, we head into the Tiki Birds. We almost have to duck out during the thunder and lightening part but a nice cast member helps out and she stays to the HOT HOT HOT end. The Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room is a source of great entertainment to her. She loves singing the song after.
Since it will take a good 30 minutes to get to Disney Quest, we decide to head out. In the car DD crashes and catches some desperately needed winks. My timing is almost perfect as I approach Downtown Disney only to find Disney Signage suddenly has me heading for Old Key West Resort. My Passporter map helps me loop back around, and I manage to gather up the boys eventually.
Souvenirs in hand, the boys report enthusiastically on their DQ day. The boys are thrilled to see our room is ready and is just like last year's only with rain forest wallpaper. It's as if we just hit pause and came back to resume our vacation!
We enjoy a short respite at the pool including poolside subs as dinner. We cut the pool visit short under protest and the irony is not lost -- stop having fun kids, so we can go have fun.
By 6:30 we're finally out and back to MK. Although DD and I had already gotten a few hours worth on our park hopper, MassDad and DS have only a few hours to make it worthwhile. They manage to make great use of their time with two spins through BuzzLightyear, a walk-on to the Haunted Mansion, and two trips through Space Mountain (a first for DS!). The momentous occasion marks DS's transformation from a "don't-do-roller-coasters" kid to a "totally-love-roller-coasters" kid. Meanwhile, I join DS for one Fast Pass Buzz Lightyear romp -- he beats me by a mere 100,000 points, then I take DD to grab a spot for the evening parade.
Wdhatter once gave us a great tip on where to sit for the evening parade if we wanted to make a quick escape before the fireworks -- just across from the car barn at the beginning of main street. It was a great spot last year and this year it comes through again -- at 8:30 we're excited to find unclaimed rope space!!! DD even recognizes the spot from last year's MSEP.
The SPECTRO parade is truly wonderful. DD seems a bit unsettled by the mouthless white-faced characters on the first float, but she manages to say nothing and quickly gets over it. The rest of the parade is sheer enjoyment for her (and me). The white lights at the end really tickle us. Then, since we are standing at the very beginning of the parade, we are able to join in just behind the last float and follow the parade all the way up main street. The experience is downright magical.
For DD it is also apparently intensely hypnotic as she drifts off in her stroller. By the time we reach the castle hub she's out cold. MassDad and DS arrive at the hub in time to watch the fireworks with us. They report proudly on their Space Mountain accomplishment. We scope out a spot just under Tinkerbell's wire so that we can watch her fly -- something we missed last year when DD was frightened of fireworks. It's a quick but impressive spectacle, and the fireworks deliver as promised.
DS worries that his sister will be disappointed that she slept through Tinkerbell, and I reassure him that she probably doesn't even know about Tinkerbell's flight. Fast forward to the next day at Universal:
DD: But Mommy, we never saw Tinkerbell fly from the castle!
Never underestimate the Disney knowledge of a 4-year-old.
Me: Oh, um, I'm not sure she does that.
DD: But what's that wire for? Mommy how come we didn't see it?
Me: Um, er yeah, I think it was too windy for Tinkerbell
DD: A-cause when it's too windy then she can't fly?
Me: Exactly.
DD: Hmm.
It will satisfy her as being plausible enough.
Rewind back to the hotel where we collapse in our room from unbelievable exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and fatigue. It is the kind of physical disintegration in which our crumbled bodies still manages to grin. And we decide that after such a full first day, we'll take Day 2 at a more leisurely pace. Although we originally have another full Park Hopper day planned -- AK and MGM, we opt instead for the familiar sights of Universal and fall asleep to the enchanting prospect of a Late Start.
Any day that begins at 4:00 AM has both the promise of greatness and the certainty of calamity. This one begins with two quick showers, some bagels funneled into two groggy children (dressed the night before in travel clothes) and a burst of coffee. There is some requisite but genuine excitement, and a forgiving pleasantness as we stumble to our car, but there is also the awareness that we are still in pre-experience mode.
With little commotion or comment, we inch through the USAir check in. Our large purple suitcase is pronounced "overweight" - earning my best 6:00 AM reply, "Yes, and...?" And...we can either take out 15 pounds worth of stuff or pay $75. No contest, offers MassDad -- pay it. I pause for a moment, contemplate the extra bag I neglected to bring, and visualize the potential disarray with me scooping out 15 pounds worth of Capris Suns, and waters. Then I remind myself that it is the bag I NEGLECTED to bring along, so I whip out the credit card.
Foiled by USAir (in cahoots with Disney, no doubt) in our feeble attempt to outwit the $2.50 water system, we at least avoid the airport concession stands and settle in with our carry-on snacks and drinks. An uneventful flight, (piece of cake for a family that flew to Japan and back in June), and we arrive ahead of schedule at 10:50 AM.
We are renting from DOLLAR this year. Our competitive spirit can't help but notice the MUCH longer line at last year's counter - Budget. We are up and out at the Dollar counter in record time. A brown Dodge Neon greets us (hands down beating last year's Hyundai EXCEL).
The deja vu is quite powerful as we head down 417. It has been a full year between trips, and the overriding feeling is one of lesser expectation, greater relaxation. We feel like old pros heading for our "summer home" - as if our vacation is merely continuing from last year.
Of the five or so potential plans for Day 1, the kids quickly limit the options. DS's burning desire EDISNEY QUEST!!!!!, DD's equally intense wish EFWIM IN THE POOL!!!!! So, we drop off the boys at Disney Quest with a 4:30 rendezvous plan, and we girls head for our old friend, HIFS.
It's only 11:00 and the lobby is mobbed, so I don't even try to check in. I've packed our suits in our carry-on bag, (along with rain gear, the boys suits, park outfits -- options 2,3,and 4), so we get changed in the bathroom and head straight to the pool.
Nothing can compare with the joyful feeling of being back in the pool! DD smiles and laughs with absolute delight. She has remembered a great deal about the HIFS -- she quickly requests (and receives) a rental float (the ducky this time), and she hops back and forth between the kiddie pool, climbing structure and big pool. There are some new additions too -- mini golf by the pool, and a set up for a light parade surrounding the pond. Both bring big smiles.
After about an hour or so, DD asks to go to our room. Since check-in isn't until 4:00, I'm surprised and relieved to learn that our room is ready. Friendly "Tim" checks us in quickly -- there's a bit of confusion over the room rate, but thank goodness I've printed out all my confirmations booked through Florida Tourist and Travel. Also helpful -- signing up for Priority Club; we get coupons for two free drinks, and more importantly, a 2:00 check out.
Our room this year is Rainforest Theme, Building 9, 4th floor, overlooking the kiddie pool -- in short, PERFECT! DD explores her room, makes a tent on the bunk bed and nestles under the covers watching Clifford. She glows about our suite, "Mommy, lookit how beautiful your room is!" Beautiful, but most important after a full travel day with my attached extra MOMMY limb -- SEPARATE. I do love the HIFS. By 1:15, I've rested a few minutes and unpacked enough to get going. Ready to go see Minnie and Mickey's house? (Her most talked about destination). "No sanks, Mommy. Maybe after this Clifford is over" Promises, promises.
True to her word, when Clifford ends, we're off. The drive to MK is easy enough, but I forget how involved the tram + ferry/monorail process can be. We opt for the Ferryboat which is a pleasant ride -- it forces us to slow down and take our pace down a notch. DD is so relaxed in her stroller she just gazes quietly at the lake.
Suddenly, we're here!!! The castle, main street! The music! I look down at still relaxed DD sucking her thumb and realize that I may be more excited than she is. All the traveling, swimming, and ferrying have tuckered her out, and she sits in her stroller, thumb in her mouth, cuddling her blue blankie in "dare to disturb me" mode. She is nonetheless fully capable of requesting STUFF -- the first one is a pink balloon -- easily granted.
We head for Mickey's Toontown and Minnie and Mickey's houses-- our pink balloon bopping into everyone around us -- sorry, excuse me, sorry. We've brought along BIG Minnie, our adopted third child, from last year's trip so that she can revisit her home. It's a brief reunion, including some gleeful moments in the little playground, but soon we're done with Toontown and on the train heading for Frontierland (more pink balloon assaulting -- sorry, excuse me). We have the option of getting off at Main Street and waiting for the parade -- DD passes. "No sanks."
Instead, she asks to see the "jungle thing"
Me: The Jungle Cruise?
DD: Yeah, is that the one where the animals kalk?
Me: Um, I don't think the animals talk in Jungle Cruise. Do you mean the Country Bear's Show -- with the animals singing like in Chuck E Cheese?
DD: NO! I mean the jungle thing!
Me: The Lion King show? The jungle cruise?
DD: NO! Not any of those!!! Hmph.
She turns away. Sucks her thumb. A moment later.
DD: I'm kalking about the fing with the two birds kalking to each other in the jungle. You know what I mean?
Suddenly light dawns - Oh! The Tiki Birds!
Off the train now and heading for the Tiki Birds when IT happens. All of Adventureland stops in its tracks and watches as a screaming DD wails. Factors contributing to the meltdown: 4AM start to the day, lack of nap, 4-hour plane ride and very active swim and play -- and finally, Mommy saying, "Yes" she can pick out something from the Adventureland Glass Cart, but "No" she can't have the $65 ballerina fairy. CLICK -- the switch is pulled, I am suddenly pushing a screeching siren in my stroller.
It's OK folks, good parent here, nothing to see, keep it moving, just a GOOD mother dealing with her unspoiled, reasonable child. Really. Why, we're just looking over here at the Hawaiian lay and flowered dresses; oh, aren't these cute? See? Crisis over. Crowd resumes its business.
Wearing her new bribe, er, dress, we head into the Tiki Birds. We almost have to duck out during the thunder and lightening part but a nice cast member helps out and she stays to the HOT HOT HOT end. The Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room is a source of great entertainment to her. She loves singing the song after.
Since it will take a good 30 minutes to get to Disney Quest, we decide to head out. In the car DD crashes and catches some desperately needed winks. My timing is almost perfect as I approach Downtown Disney only to find Disney Signage suddenly has me heading for Old Key West Resort. My Passporter map helps me loop back around, and I manage to gather up the boys eventually.
Souvenirs in hand, the boys report enthusiastically on their DQ day. The boys are thrilled to see our room is ready and is just like last year's only with rain forest wallpaper. It's as if we just hit pause and came back to resume our vacation!
We enjoy a short respite at the pool including poolside subs as dinner. We cut the pool visit short under protest and the irony is not lost -- stop having fun kids, so we can go have fun.
By 6:30 we're finally out and back to MK. Although DD and I had already gotten a few hours worth on our park hopper, MassDad and DS have only a few hours to make it worthwhile. They manage to make great use of their time with two spins through BuzzLightyear, a walk-on to the Haunted Mansion, and two trips through Space Mountain (a first for DS!). The momentous occasion marks DS's transformation from a "don't-do-roller-coasters" kid to a "totally-love-roller-coasters" kid. Meanwhile, I join DS for one Fast Pass Buzz Lightyear romp -- he beats me by a mere 100,000 points, then I take DD to grab a spot for the evening parade.
Wdhatter once gave us a great tip on where to sit for the evening parade if we wanted to make a quick escape before the fireworks -- just across from the car barn at the beginning of main street. It was a great spot last year and this year it comes through again -- at 8:30 we're excited to find unclaimed rope space!!! DD even recognizes the spot from last year's MSEP.
The SPECTRO parade is truly wonderful. DD seems a bit unsettled by the mouthless white-faced characters on the first float, but she manages to say nothing and quickly gets over it. The rest of the parade is sheer enjoyment for her (and me). The white lights at the end really tickle us. Then, since we are standing at the very beginning of the parade, we are able to join in just behind the last float and follow the parade all the way up main street. The experience is downright magical.
For DD it is also apparently intensely hypnotic as she drifts off in her stroller. By the time we reach the castle hub she's out cold. MassDad and DS arrive at the hub in time to watch the fireworks with us. They report proudly on their Space Mountain accomplishment. We scope out a spot just under Tinkerbell's wire so that we can watch her fly -- something we missed last year when DD was frightened of fireworks. It's a quick but impressive spectacle, and the fireworks deliver as promised.
DS worries that his sister will be disappointed that she slept through Tinkerbell, and I reassure him that she probably doesn't even know about Tinkerbell's flight. Fast forward to the next day at Universal:
DD: But Mommy, we never saw Tinkerbell fly from the castle!
Never underestimate the Disney knowledge of a 4-year-old.
Me: Oh, um, I'm not sure she does that.
DD: But what's that wire for? Mommy how come we didn't see it?
Me: Um, er yeah, I think it was too windy for Tinkerbell
DD: A-cause when it's too windy then she can't fly?
Me: Exactly.
DD: Hmm.
It will satisfy her as being plausible enough.
Rewind back to the hotel where we collapse in our room from unbelievable exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and fatigue. It is the kind of physical disintegration in which our crumbled bodies still manages to grin. And we decide that after such a full first day, we'll take Day 2 at a more leisurely pace. Although we originally have another full Park Hopper day planned -- AK and MGM, we opt instead for the familiar sights of Universal and fall asleep to the enchanting prospect of a Late Start.
inkbounc
