Dave Dizney's Aug. 14-22 report

[Dave Dizney]

Thanks for such nice comments. I'll start by answering a couple of your questions:

My son is going to college at a University in Iowa -- about 5 hours away. Even as I'm typing, our house is between unpacking from our trip and packing him up to move to his dorm. We bought him one of those multi-windowed frames and put a copy of our latest photo on Main Street in the center. Soak it in you folks with young kids -- it goes by way too fast.

We got on the Travel Channel show by applying, auditioning, and being grilled in an interview. We were selected in March and was flown out in April to shoot the show. Two others from this show are also contributors on this site and are really cool people, too.


Hey, anybody know anything about the crane between RR and TT at MGM?


Well, now it's time to deal with PDD (post-Disney depression). I went to a local restaurant today and had sub-par service. I went to a local Target and the guy behind the register didn't smile. I made the mistake of checking my checking account online today and had to give myself the "every dollar was worth it" speech. I went to work today, but there was no Mayor opening the office and no people waving good-bye from the balcony when the day was over! Reality bites! I've now watched all our videos, drank my Mickey coffee, and made all our kids friends jealous with our stories of having a better time then they did last week. Now it's back to the real world.

Nothing to do now ...but plan the next trip!

Thanks for the space to vent!

 

[Dave Dizney]

Well one more little thing for anyone still reading this thread. For those of you who saw our composed personalities on the Travel Channel show, here's how we usually are:

http://bsc.cards.go.com/cards/dynamic/missionspace/retrieve?card_id=05241A099CD12513821B02CC8E0F637B

Dave

 

[YCFAN]

What a wonderful report! I loved "meeting" you through your trip report. My husband's always picking at me for being such a Disney freak and I now must admit to using you as an example. The last time the travel channel show was on I told him, "look, it could be worse....I could be like that guy"!!!!!! LOL

 

[mousetime]

Hey, anybody know anything about the crane between RR and TT at MGM?

Just got back on Monday and they were replacing roof tiles that blew off, TT was closed on Friday, crane is down now.

 

[UncleKyle]

Originally posted by Dave Dizney


One last comment to anyone out there reading this wondering if a trip to Disney is worth the expense. Now that our first kid is leaving home, I look back at all the trips we've made -- and I find I have these indelible memories I will always cherish. I know how old each kid was when we were at each resort -- memories associated with smells, tastes, sounds, and sights. I remember how a lizard was more interesting in the parking lot than many rides in the park -- I can show you where that lizard was. My son is right now moving out a lifetime of stuff from his room -- in the midst of all the this he's thrown away from his childhood, in his "keep" pile I found an old stuffed Figment, old passes, and silly Disney trinkets he bought with his own money -- he can't part with some of them. Somehow, on this last trip, when I was in the Magic Kingdom standing next to my 18 year old watching "Wishes," I felt the small legs of a 4-year-old on my shoulders watching the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks. Then his large arm went around me and said "Did you see that dad?" just as he said years ago, except with a deeper and nostalgic tone to his voice. I can't put a price on that. I have never regretted a single dollar I've spent on those memories, and look forward to someday feeling another 4-year-olds legs on my shoulders while his dad stands next to me.

Nuff said.

Ok this got me. At age 24, I feel the same way, I can't part with my Disney stuff. Some of my favorite memories is with my family at Disney World. Great times, I'll admit your last paragraph got me choked up as well.

 

[jennymouse]

Bravo! Glad to read one of your trip reports and to see that you're still with us here on the DISboards!

 

[jennymouse]

Bravo! Glad to read one of your trip reports and to see that you're still with us here on the DISboards!

 

[sters]

really touched by your report. My kids are still young, but growing so fast that I long to make some more Disney memories with them. Soon...

Just think... grandchildren... and you may once again feel those little legs on your shoulders. (That reminds me of my oldest sitting on my husbands shoulders when he was about 2 watching the MK parade... his ice cream cone dripping over my husband's scowling face and neck (tee hee hee).)

 

[Ozymoe]

...so I am cying too...

Our "little boy" will be going godknowswhere next fall.

This is the one I had to arrange all our Disney meetings around so he could spend all his time in Innoventions.

This blessed child has been ofered several 4 year scholarships with full tuition, board and room plus expenses.

His dream is to attend MIT but I understand they don't give scholarships since everyone can afford to pay even if they are brilliant. He only has a 3.7 average in high school, but part of that is due to us. We told him he had to try everything he was interested in [which meant some classes were a bust, including some art classes (C's)].

He is a National Merit finalist and made a perfect score on the math side of the ACT. He only scored 30 on the English side but his accumulative score was 34 (out of 36).

If any of you can put in a good word for him a MIT let me know. He is a member of the math club and has won several trophies. He is a chess club member. He has a published poem and is a member of the yearbook staff. He loves writing and is very talented at it (but this confuses me as a parent because I want to tell him to go for his computer science/math loves).

We are really up in the air here. Anyone?

 

[Okiamae]

PDD that's what it is ! - we just returned last week, from our (Charley extended) vacation "celebrating" our DD18 graduating high school a valedictorian and moving on to college, maybe it's PDD and the fact that she now is living on-campus
On the plus side, since Charley messed up our plans to see AK we'll have to go back for our 3rd trip sooner

I loved your Disney show on the Travel Channel, it's the best one they've done, much more of a vicarious vacation with families and personal tips!!

 

[castlegirl]

Thank you for your beautiful description of your trip with your son before college...lots of tissues needed over here!

My family also measures time in trips, and when I think back to past vacations with grandparents now gone and also ones watching my child grow...we have never regretted a penny spent on those trips, either.

You can't buy back time once its passed. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[pumpkinfish]

You know, my DH and I watched your show Dave. DH laughed at how you had it all planned out, because everytime DH and I go, it is very relaxed (now that is. I used to be VERY commando!). I began talking to my DH about the family trips my parents had taken us on, how I used to plan the trips along with my father at age 8- who you remind me of very much!! Reading that last bit of your report made me very sad for you, because I know you will miss your son, and will remind yourself of the memories you had at Disney. But those who were able to have the family trips to Disney are VERY fortunate. I often encounter co-workers or passer-bys who never took family vacations, and never had the kind of experiences we do. I know your son is very thankful for the trips!

 

[JulieM96]

Dave,

What a great trip report. Thanks for posting it.

We just returned from our trip (8/16-24) as well. It was great, but I have only one regret...that I didn't introduce myself to you at the Whispering Canyon Cafe on that Monday. I think you checked in for your PS just as we were being led to our table. After we were at our table (out of the way in the overflow room) DH said he thought he saw you checking in, but couldn't get my attention because the ketchup thing was going on. On the way out, just after a horse race, I saw you across the room. But you looked like you were enjoying those ribs, I just hated to bother you in the middle of dinner.

In any case, consider yourself sighted one more time.

Julie

 

[Dave Dizney]

Thanks everyone for such a huge response. Looks like a similar cord has been struck.

JulieM96 -- I wish you would have identified yourself at Whispering Canyons! It's now one of my regrets! I would have loved to have met anyone from these boards. Who did you get as a waiter?

Well, tomorrow we make the drive with a van and car full of oldest son stuff and drop him off at the University. I printed out photos of each of us in various Disney settings to go in his new DW frame. Being able to vent here the last week has made this a little easier. Thanks everyone.

 

[JulieM96]

Our Whispering Canyon Cafe server was Bob. The funny thing about that was I felt like I'd seen him before, but didn't know why. About halfway through the meal I realized I'd seen him in the family photo that another DIS poster has in their signature block. He's the waiter with Tigger on his hat.

Good luck on the trip down to college. I've got a few years left till that event, but I think it strikes a chord with all us parents. What a milestone.

Julie

 

[disneyisfun]

Love your report..thanks

 

[llij]

Dave Dizney,

Thanks for the trip report! I need tissues b/c it brought a tear to my eye! BTW, you and your family were great on the Travel Channel Disney Fan show too!

I have fond memories of being at WDW with my parents when I was little and thankfully, they have joined us on each of our trips with our two daughters. My oldest will be nine in January and I remember taking her when she was two! My how the time flies! We are grateful to be able to go again as an extended family this December. My parents said it will be their last visit to Disney so I will need more tissues then!

Thanks again for your great report and good luck to your son in College!

 

[KristaTX]

I looked you up to see if you were still posting, and came across this great report, Dave. Sounds like you and your family had another wonderful trip . Glad you've decided to stick around here on the DIS .

Krista

 

[KMH1]

Thanks for such a great report Dave! I'm sitting here in tears after reading it, with my 5 month old daughter sleeping next to me in her bouncy seat.

We're taking Alyssa to WDW in 41 days...most of our family and friends think we're crazy to take a baby. They just don't understand how magical WDW is!

Kevin and I can't wait to introduce Alyssa to THE WORLD! We've been there many times just the two of us, but I know this trip is going to seem like our first, watching it through Alyssa's blue eyes!

Hope that you are coping with your oldest son's absence the best you can.

Best wishes,
Amy

 

[kathymc]

thanks for posting dave - while I dont have kids - I have shared many wonderful memories at Disney with the rest of my family (from my parents to brothers to nieces) that are some of my most treasured posessions.

take care and good luck to your son!