Tally Isham
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2000
- Messages
- 7
Day 1 - Thursday March 8
Cast:
Me, DH K-man, DS J-boy (age 5), and DS The Beast (age 2, almost 3)
Whew! We got everything packed in only 1 large suitcase -- one very large, mega-suitcase. My feet and legs are achy from walking around Cobo Hall. We have a hard time sleeping. ItâÂÂs just like the WDW commercial where the parents are too excited to sleep.
So far, the kids have no idea that weâÂÂre going anywhere. As I explain over breakfast that weâÂÂre going on a mini vacation,
Me: Guess where weâÂÂre going? (excited voice)
The Beast: The airport!! (equally excited voice)
What could I do?? I told him yes, weâÂÂre going to the airport. It wasnâÂÂt a lie.
Since the rates were best from an airport about 100 miles away, we climb in the car early. ItâÂÂs about a 2 hour drive, all interstate. After about 1/2 hour , âÂÂAre we there yet?â begins and lasts the next 1 1/2 hours or so. Nothing but my deepest respect for those that drive to Florida. That thought gives me the heebies and the jeebies.
We stopped at McDonalds before getting to the airport. I couldnâÂÂt keep a secret any longer, so decide to give the boys clues about our final destination -- after all, weâÂÂre already at the airport.
Me: Do you want a clue?
Boys: Yeah!
Me: Way la. Way la way la. (singing ToN music)
J-Boy: Disney World! That clue was too easy. Why didn't you give me a hard clue? That was too easy.
Both boys took a favorite comfort toy onto the plane. The Beast chose Pluto and J-boy chose Wormy. Wormy is the same age as J-boy, but a bit worse for the wear. Wormy is dirty, but IâÂÂm afraid to wash him. WormyâÂÂs had major surgery.
So, IâÂÂm urging The Beast onto the airplane (the last rows no less!) by saying, âÂÂHurry up Will-da-Beast.â A flight attendant hears, and give me an odd look. After weâÂÂre seated,she notices Wormy and his tattered condition. After a deep conversation with J-boy about WormyâÂÂs merits, she comments, âÂÂWhat an interesting family. Wormy and a Will-da-Beast.âÂÂ
After an uneventful flight, and uneventful pick-up on the Emerald Isle (no vans or SUVs -- bummer). We checked into the YC. We reserved a standard view room, requesting non-smoking and close to elevators. We ended up in room 3152, close to the elevators, and overlooking the wedding gazebo. Very nice. IâÂÂm loving this.
I call mousekeeping immediately to request a bed rail and early clean up. Within 3 or 4 minutes there was a knock on the door. I thought, âÂÂWow, thatâÂÂs fast,â but was in for the first âÂÂmagicalâ surprise of the trip.
At the door was a man in a captainâÂÂs hat, balloons and presents in hand. He introduced himself as âÂÂCaptain Bobâ the Captain of the Hotel. J-boy was a bit overwhelmed, peeking like Kilroy from the far bed. He chatted with J-boy about his birthday and then offered the presents. He received a Mickey Yacht Club Bell Boy Beanie, a WDW picture book, and an character group picture in front of the castle. The photo and the book were personally autographed by the Mick-ster himself.
Since the Beast is afraid of balloons (the kid is petrified when we eat at TGI Fridays -- itâÂÂs pitiful), they were tied to the railing of our balcony. As I shook Captain BobâÂÂs hand to thank him, the most amazing thing happen. I discretely offered a tip. Captain Bob looked offended and refused the tip. His answer was, âÂÂWe just do this because we love kids.â Wow, this was truly free. Something free at Disney World. Wow. Wow.
After we examined the presents, we (including the new Mickey Beanie) toured Storm-Along Bay. Whoo hoo! This is going to be nice.
Then we drove to the Poly to ride the monorail , eat dinner at OhanaâÂÂs and watch fireworks from the beach.
The yellow monorail is arriving just as we enter the platform. We ask a CM if we can ride up front. She points us forward. As another family is exiting the driverâÂÂs compartment, we enter. Ah! Nirvana for a 5-year-old. We just take the resort circuit, taking video and engaging the kids, trying to determine what they remembered from the September-Stress trip.
As we were exiting the Contemporary (where they both remembered Chef MickeyâÂÂs), J-boy announced, âÂÂThis has been a perfect day!â That comment made my day just as perfect. He may be whiner, but heâÂÂs a sweet whiner.
OhanaâÂÂs dinner was enjoyable --- except The Beast, who is just developing an imagination, got scared. As the waiter brought our pu-pu plate, he began screaming uncontrollably, âÂÂI scared of this rest-ront.â We never did figure out what scared him. Fire?? Columns carved like Tiki Gods?. ItâÂÂs hard to tell. K-man ate about 60% of his dinner with the Beast clinging to him whimpering, and eating banana bread. He finally got over it enough to eat some meat (drenched in ketchup, of course). J-boy ate mostly the pu-pus. And I ate my body weight in shrimp.
J-boy and the Beast (after he calmed down) participated in coconut races and hula hoop contest. We also learned the hand motions to the song Little Grass Shack. So I considered this dinner an educational experience.
Finding the Poly beach was a bit of an adventure. Even though it was March 8, there were still workmen swarming all over the Volcano Pool construction site. (We got to see forklifts moving full size trees. If youâÂÂre a 3 or 5 year old boy, a fork truck with a tree on it looks like a little bit of heaven) Since we couldnâÂÂt walk straight out of the lobby, we trekked following signs for the marina. Finally we found it, but first overheard these comments from other guests:
1. I hope theyâÂÂre giving great rates with all this construction.
2. When are they going to rename the Contemporary to the Nostalgic?
They amused me. Thought youâÂÂd enjoy them too.
The fireworks were great. WDWâÂÂs pyrotechnic bill must be enormous! I think we even saw Tink flying -- both DH and I saw something lit trawling from high on the castle to the ground near Tomorrow Land. We both thought it must be Tink.
Ah! The weather was great. The YC is great. Birthday magic is beginning. My belly is stuffed with shrimp. Can life get any better??
Cast:
Me, DH K-man, DS J-boy (age 5), and DS The Beast (age 2, almost 3)
Whew! We got everything packed in only 1 large suitcase -- one very large, mega-suitcase. My feet and legs are achy from walking around Cobo Hall. We have a hard time sleeping. ItâÂÂs just like the WDW commercial where the parents are too excited to sleep.
So far, the kids have no idea that weâÂÂre going anywhere. As I explain over breakfast that weâÂÂre going on a mini vacation,
Me: Guess where weâÂÂre going? (excited voice)
The Beast: The airport!! (equally excited voice)
What could I do?? I told him yes, weâÂÂre going to the airport. It wasnâÂÂt a lie.
Since the rates were best from an airport about 100 miles away, we climb in the car early. ItâÂÂs about a 2 hour drive, all interstate. After about 1/2 hour , âÂÂAre we there yet?â begins and lasts the next 1 1/2 hours or so. Nothing but my deepest respect for those that drive to Florida. That thought gives me the heebies and the jeebies.
We stopped at McDonalds before getting to the airport. I couldnâÂÂt keep a secret any longer, so decide to give the boys clues about our final destination -- after all, weâÂÂre already at the airport.
Me: Do you want a clue?
Boys: Yeah!
Me: Way la. Way la way la. (singing ToN music)
J-Boy: Disney World! That clue was too easy. Why didn't you give me a hard clue? That was too easy.
Both boys took a favorite comfort toy onto the plane. The Beast chose Pluto and J-boy chose Wormy. Wormy is the same age as J-boy, but a bit worse for the wear. Wormy is dirty, but IâÂÂm afraid to wash him. WormyâÂÂs had major surgery.
So, IâÂÂm urging The Beast onto the airplane (the last rows no less!) by saying, âÂÂHurry up Will-da-Beast.â A flight attendant hears, and give me an odd look. After weâÂÂre seated,she notices Wormy and his tattered condition. After a deep conversation with J-boy about WormyâÂÂs merits, she comments, âÂÂWhat an interesting family. Wormy and a Will-da-Beast.âÂÂ
After an uneventful flight, and uneventful pick-up on the Emerald Isle (no vans or SUVs -- bummer). We checked into the YC. We reserved a standard view room, requesting non-smoking and close to elevators. We ended up in room 3152, close to the elevators, and overlooking the wedding gazebo. Very nice. IâÂÂm loving this.
I call mousekeeping immediately to request a bed rail and early clean up. Within 3 or 4 minutes there was a knock on the door. I thought, âÂÂWow, thatâÂÂs fast,â but was in for the first âÂÂmagicalâ surprise of the trip.
At the door was a man in a captainâÂÂs hat, balloons and presents in hand. He introduced himself as âÂÂCaptain Bobâ the Captain of the Hotel. J-boy was a bit overwhelmed, peeking like Kilroy from the far bed. He chatted with J-boy about his birthday and then offered the presents. He received a Mickey Yacht Club Bell Boy Beanie, a WDW picture book, and an character group picture in front of the castle. The photo and the book were personally autographed by the Mick-ster himself.
Since the Beast is afraid of balloons (the kid is petrified when we eat at TGI Fridays -- itâÂÂs pitiful), they were tied to the railing of our balcony. As I shook Captain BobâÂÂs hand to thank him, the most amazing thing happen. I discretely offered a tip. Captain Bob looked offended and refused the tip. His answer was, âÂÂWe just do this because we love kids.â Wow, this was truly free. Something free at Disney World. Wow. Wow.
After we examined the presents, we (including the new Mickey Beanie) toured Storm-Along Bay. Whoo hoo! This is going to be nice.
Then we drove to the Poly to ride the monorail , eat dinner at OhanaâÂÂs and watch fireworks from the beach.
The yellow monorail is arriving just as we enter the platform. We ask a CM if we can ride up front. She points us forward. As another family is exiting the driverâÂÂs compartment, we enter. Ah! Nirvana for a 5-year-old. We just take the resort circuit, taking video and engaging the kids, trying to determine what they remembered from the September-Stress trip.
As we were exiting the Contemporary (where they both remembered Chef MickeyâÂÂs), J-boy announced, âÂÂThis has been a perfect day!â That comment made my day just as perfect. He may be whiner, but heâÂÂs a sweet whiner.
OhanaâÂÂs dinner was enjoyable --- except The Beast, who is just developing an imagination, got scared. As the waiter brought our pu-pu plate, he began screaming uncontrollably, âÂÂI scared of this rest-ront.â We never did figure out what scared him. Fire?? Columns carved like Tiki Gods?. ItâÂÂs hard to tell. K-man ate about 60% of his dinner with the Beast clinging to him whimpering, and eating banana bread. He finally got over it enough to eat some meat (drenched in ketchup, of course). J-boy ate mostly the pu-pus. And I ate my body weight in shrimp.
J-boy and the Beast (after he calmed down) participated in coconut races and hula hoop contest. We also learned the hand motions to the song Little Grass Shack. So I considered this dinner an educational experience.
Finding the Poly beach was a bit of an adventure. Even though it was March 8, there were still workmen swarming all over the Volcano Pool construction site. (We got to see forklifts moving full size trees. If youâÂÂre a 3 or 5 year old boy, a fork truck with a tree on it looks like a little bit of heaven) Since we couldnâÂÂt walk straight out of the lobby, we trekked following signs for the marina. Finally we found it, but first overheard these comments from other guests:
1. I hope theyâÂÂre giving great rates with all this construction.
2. When are they going to rename the Contemporary to the Nostalgic?
They amused me. Thought youâÂÂd enjoy them too.
The fireworks were great. WDWâÂÂs pyrotechnic bill must be enormous! I think we even saw Tink flying -- both DH and I saw something lit trawling from high on the castle to the ground near Tomorrow Land. We both thought it must be Tink.
Ah! The weather was great. The YC is great. Birthday magic is beginning. My belly is stuffed with shrimp. Can life get any better??
