"Do You Mind?" - Disney Adventures with Teens August Trip Report

[Grandma Bonnie]

This illness has left me voiceless! But I can still type.

So here's an update.

I did get the return flight for Sunday, but no thanks to Orbitz.

I will NEVER use them again! Well, probably NEVER! I've lived long enough to know that sometimes you have to get over your "mad" to move on.

Anyway, I never received flight confirmation from Orbitz, so I emailed them....twice!!! asking for confirmation. "Twice" because the auto response to my first request said that I would hear from them within 3 hours. NOT!! Thus, the second email. And again, no response.

The Lord works in mysterious ways......my sister called me as I was driving Katie to the airport. Among our many topics of conversation (I HAD a voice yesterday.) was my disgust with Orbitz. Well, she has become wiser with age, too, and said, "Bonnie, you are going to be at the airport anyway, so why don't you check with the airline and see if Orbitz has confirmed your flight." Sometimes, I have to give her a "Bravo, great idea!"

After I got Katie squared away and waved goodbye and threw a kiss across all the dozens of people between us (I was at the beginning of the security line and she was on the other side of the security checkpoint.) I went to the NWA counter. Since they do very little business here in Austin, the agents were sitting on the baggage conveyor belt chatting. I think they were happy to see someone standing at their counter. The nice lady was able to give me assurance that indeed there is a seat with my name on it on the flight I want and gave me the confirmation number.

The ticket is going to be my original return ticket with a change fee. $100 goes to NWA. $30 goes to Orbitz. But I'm going to fight that Orbitz change fee because I've yet to get my confirmation info from them.

OK, Bonnie, enough complaining!

Susan called today and told me that Katie made it to Orlando. She is staying at the Yacht Club with Paxton. It's the only place Make-A-Wish could put them on such short notice. They planned to start at Epcot today.

That's about all I know because Susan and I were having problems communicating. She was walking on Bourbon street (a rather noisy place even before dark) and, of course, all she could hear from me were squeaks and whispers.

That's all for now. I hope everyone on the disboards has a great End of the School Year. I know it is usually full to the brim with activities and deadlines.

 

[dreamer17555]

So sorry about your loss and my prayers and heart go out to Paxton. Its nice that she gets her "wish" trip but my wish is that no child would ever have to go through that. It really is heart breaking.

-Becca-

 

[swwake]

On my way to Memphis from New Orleans now. The funeral is tomorrow.

In the midst of chaos and vacationing and celebrating our anniversary, I have gotten the following done:

Friday I called and reserved our surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon for August 14th. Here's how that went:
CM: What can I help you with today?
Me: I would like to make reservations for Typhoon Lagoon Surf School for Thursday, August 14th.
CM: Ma'am, you need to be there at 5:45 A. M.
Me: Yes, I know. We have researched this.
CM: Well, that would be enough to scare me off.

Nope, not us. We are all set for that one.

This morning, I logged on and got our seat assignments for our return flight to Memphis. I had to wait until 90 days prior to the flight to do this. I got similar seats to the outbound, but on the Left side of the plane, thinking that maybe we'll see WDW out the left side of the plane this time.

We have discussed and decided not to try wakeboarding. At least we won't be making reservations to wakeboard. I guess if we have some extra time and feel up to it, we may add it while we're there. We will see.

 

[Donald is #1]

Wow! I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandmother and Paxton. I will pray for both of them.

That was great that you found a way to get Katie down to WDW so that she can share Paxton's wish trip for a few days. I saw a couple of groups with MAW buttons/tags, etc over the weekend. Maybe one of them was Paxton?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yay for surfing lessons! What a great experience that will be!

 

[swwake]

Sorry about your loss and news of Paxton.
Just said prayers for you and your loved ones.

That is great that Katie gets to go with Paxton on the Make A Wish trip.
We have some good friends who went on their trip last summer.
They said it was fantastic.

Thanks for the prayers. More on Katie's trip coming up...

I am so sorry about your grandmother and Paxton! My prayers are definitely including everyone!

Thanks for the prayers. Paxton needs them most. So keep them coming.

A lot of things tugging at your emotions right now. This will be hard on Katie, knowing the situation, but it is good that she will have these memories to treasure in hard times ahead. We will also keep Paxton in mind in a very special way, as she goes through this difficult time. Prayers will be said for her, those who love her, and all the doctors and nurses who give her the tender care she will need as she goes through this.

I work with kids her age every day, so it touches me in a special way this morning to read this, as they will be coming down the hall in about five minutes. It helps me appreciate and tolerate them more, even with the wildest ones, when I think what another little girl their age is going through.

I hope the girls have the most fabulous trip!!!

The memories will be great, not only for Katie, but also for Paxton and her family. i am really glad she got to go.

That you work with kids her age and therefore it touches you, I completely understand. It was because that Katie was so healthy and fortunate that I did all my hundreds of hours of volunteer work for Make-A-Wish of the Mid-South in the 90s, before we moved to Texas. Fortunately, Katie was able to participate in several wishes back then, so she has a good understanding of what it all means.

Katie had a great time (see my comments coming soon), and Paxton is still enjoying herself at WDW as we type (or maybe she's getting some well-deserved rest).

Sorry about your loss and Paxton.

Thank you so much!

Susan, I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother! Poor little Paxton! Life really isn't fair sometimes! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

I believe there is a purpose in every life. While it doesn't always seem fair, there is usually, if not always, a reason for what we deem as unfair, and it turns out to be fair in the end. Paxton's life, like many others like hers, has had a positive and profound effect on many others around her. She is a special girl.

Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers.

So sorry for your loss, and on top of Paxton's news. (((hugs)))

Thank you for your thoughts also, Irene.

All this took me over 3 hours.

I am not one to advertise for Orbitz. I had an issue once where I booked a trip through them, including air and auto rental. Well, when my (on-time) flight arrived, the rental outlet was closed. I called Orbitz and they refused to help. Why don't they coordinate flight arrivals and auto rentals? Why didn't they at least issue a warning? I avoid Orbitz now. I am sorry for negative advertising. I usually avoid doing that.

 

[swwake]

So sorry about your loss and my prayers and heart go out to Paxton. Its nice that she gets her "wish" trip but my wish is that no child would ever have to go through that. It really is heart breaking.

-Becca-

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers. I agree, my wish is your wish. St Jude is working on cures every day. I am so thankful for Make-A-Wish being there to help families through the tragedies.

Wow! I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandmother and Paxton. I will pray for both of them.

That was great that you found a way to get Katie down to WDW so that she can share Paxton's wish trip for a few days. I saw a couple of groups with MAW buttons/tags, etc over the weekend. Maybe one of them was Paxton?

Thanks so much for your thoughts. We were all happy to get Katie there any way we had to. Were you there? I wonder if you saw them? I have not seen pictures, and Paxton's appearance changes every time I see her, so I can't really describe her to you. Her hair color, length and texture seems to change every time she loses it and it grows back.

Yay for surfing lessons! What a great experience that will be!

Yes! We are very excited about this!

 

[swwake]

So here's the recap of Katie's "Quickie Mickey" last weekend.

I was in touch with Katie all weekend. She gave me the play-by-play via text messages, with a little bit of traditional cell phone calling mixed in there.

Since she was traveling alone and had to change flights and sometimes terminals, she called me every time she landed and each time she got to the next gate.

The best way to explain is to just re-type the text trail.
Sat, 10:26am
Katie: Disney is super expensive. A buffet breakfast for 5 was 90$
Me: That's actually not bad Kate. Hope you're having fun.
Katie: Oh ok well we haven't really left yet

Sat, 1:50pm
Me: So how is it? How is the weather?
Katie: We've been at Epcot all day. The weather is nice about 80 and overcast
Me: What's your favorite so far?
Katie: The car test drive thing
Me: have you done Soarin'? That's supposed to be the best at Epcot.
Katie: Yeah we did that first. It was pretty cool

Sat, 4:19pm
Me: What's the latest?
Katie: We're at magic kingdom and all the rides are like broken down
Me: Oh no I'm sorry.
Katie: Yeah it sucks we're about to go to the haunted mansion

Sun, 12:27pm
Me: are y'all having fun today?
Katie: Yeah we're at Hollywood studios
Katie: We did the Indiana jones show it was awesome and now we're going to the rockin roller coaster and the tower of terror
Me: Very cool

Sun, 2:03pm
Katie: Beach club is super awesome
Me: Really? You love it? What's the best? They say the pool is great.
Katie: Yeah the pool is awesome and the place is really pretty. I didn't go inside but the pool is really big. And the transportation here is really good

That's pretty much it. I can add the following from our phone conversations:
- They didn't get to do Tower of Terror, but Rock N Roller Coaster was her favorite ride.
- They didn't get to Animal Kingdom with Katie (they went Monday)
- She loved the ice cream at the store at the end of Main Street in MK. She said it's the "best ice cream place in the world"

All of this reaction makes me really look forward to our trip! Good thing I will be so busy between now and then.

 

[swwake]

This will be a little off-topic. I am reflecting on my Grandmother's death and the events surrounding it.

Thank you to everyone for all of your kind thoughts and prayers. It is amazing to me that people who we don't even know will think about our family. The support here is incredible.

That said, I do not intend to offend anyone. I just have some commentary on all of the apologies. I think that our culture needs to find a better way to offer condolences. All any of us know to say is "I'm sorry", "sorry for your loss", etc. What else can we say?

The truth is that, in this case, there is no real need for apologies. All of us who know and love my grandmother are assured that she is so much better off now. Grandma Shelby was one of those people you meet in life who was vivacious and full of life. At her funeral, she was described as a shining star from the time she was an infant and up to now, as we have dedicated a star in the Andromeda galaxy to her.

In the early 90's, Vertigo, and later Parkinson's began to take their toll on her. This slowly took the lady who enjoyed playing golf and chatting with her best girlfriends on a daily basis down to the level of needing a cane, to a wheelchair, and eventually to being bedridden and unable to speak or even use her hands to communicate.

It was painful for all of us to see her in this condition, trapped in her body. We all believe that inside that body that betrayed her, Grandma was still as spritely and vivacious as ever, just itching to get up and dance, tell a joke, share her stories and smiles, and again be the life of the party.

I would not want to live like that, and I am sure she didn't want to either. This, my friends, is why I am glad that this fighter, this tough chick, finally let go. She was ready, and so were we.

So, in summary, there is no need to apologize, or to be sorry. We should all rejoice and dance here on Earth as she is now dancing in the skies. My Grandma Shelby is with her beloved mother and father, her Brother, her infant son, and both of the husbands who will love her eternally. She is loved and remembered here in this life, and we are all looking forward to joining her in her dance when we are ready.

Now that I have learned to play golf, I am hoping she has reserved a tee time for herself and me, on the gorgeous fairways in the sky, far into the future...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Very eloquently put, Susan! I am sure that your grandmother is nodding her head in agreement in the great fairway in the sky!

 

[brewzoo5]

So tonight maybe a little pixie dust or disney magic could heal a broken heart.

Here is what my sweet, sweet, sentimental Tyler went through as his night progressed.
He would have periodic moments of sadness and reflection from just experiencing his first family death and funeral yesterday. He mentioned that outside of fish, he has never seen anyone or anything die. So tears followed as the night progressed. He would reflect on how he would miss his grandma Shelby and how things are "just not going to be the same". He says, "I am just going to miss her sooo much". With encouragement, I explained how she is now in such a better place now, where she can move, and laugh, and play like she used to. So, eventually Tyler made his way to bed (promptly at 9:30 - those who know him, know that is a given) and he took a picture that I brought home today and tacked it to the wall next to his bed. It is a picture of his Grandma Shelby holding him when he was a baby. In her arms, she is hugging and kissing his sleeping infant body. Through tears, Tyler looks at me and says, "I am putting this here to remind me that Grandma is watching me, loving me, and hugging me as I sleep now from heaven".

I have the sweetest, most sentimental son in the world!!!!

Jo

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

So here's the recap of Katie's "Quickie Mickey" last weekend.

I was in touch with Katie all weekend. She gave me the play-by-play via text messages, with a little bit of traditional cell phone calling mixed in there.

"traditional" cell phone? I remember when only businessmen and the mafia had cell phones

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

So tonight maybe a little pixie dust or disney magic could heal a broken heart.

Here is what my sweet, sweet, sentimental Tyler went through as his night progressed.
He would have periodic moments of sadness and reflection from just experiencing his first family death and funeral yesterday. He mentioned that outside of fish, he has never seen anyone or anything die. So tears followed as the night progressed. He would reflect on how he would miss his grandma Shelby and how things are "just not going to be the same". He says, "I am just going to miss her sooo much". With encouragement, I explained how she is now in such a better place now, where she can move, and laugh, and play like she used to. So, eventually Tyler made his way to bed (promptly at 9:30 - those who know him, know that is a given) and he took a picture that I brought home today and tacked it to the wall next to his bed. It is a picture of his Grandma Shelby holding him when he was a baby. In her arms, she is hugging and kissing his sleeping infant body. Through tears, Tyler looks at me and says, "I am putting this here to remind me that Grandma is watching me, loving me, and hugging me as I sleep now from heaven".

I have the sweetest, most sentimental son in the world!!!!

Jo

From the "mouths of babes".......
This is why I spent so many years working in elementary schools AND why I try to spend as many hours as possible with my grandchildren. They are sooooo pure!!!!
I don't think anyone has mentioned on this site that the twins were asked to be pall bearers. They looked so precious in their suits and white shirts ...... and sunglasses! Mini Blues Brothers!!
And Haley was a "vision to behold" in her black and white dress.
Can anyone tell I'm a proud grandma?

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Well, it seems that my last two trips to Austin were each cut short due to Susan's grandmother's stroke and eventual death. So I am going to try once again to go visit in my favorite part of the country.

I had originally planned to drive down just before Susan and Chris' dance exposition anyway, but now Jo and her family want to go at the same time. So we are all packing ourselves into their van and driving to Austin Saturday.

I have a little surprise for Susan (which won't be a surprise when she reads this). I found the pictures of our very first trip to WDW when the girls were very young and all that was in that vast area was The Magic Kingdom.

When she was here for the funeral, she found my scrapbook of the second trip we took to WDW. She had many comments as she went through the album.

I'll let her share them with you on one of her future postings.

 

[swwake]

Either we lost all of our subscribers or everyone is just lurking. Maybe we're just boring, or maybe we just don't update often enough. I have plenty of Disney planning on the agenda, just very little time to do it! I will try to post an update this Sunday (that is the soonest I think I'll be able to get to it).

I need to update on:
Lessons learned from Katie's Mini-Mickey
Trip Binder
Clothes
and more!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Well, it seems that my last two trips to Austin were each cut short due to Susan's grandmother's stroke and eventual death. So I am going to try once again to go visit in my favorite part of the country.

I had originally planned to drive down just before Susan and Chris' dance exposition anyway, but now Jo and her family want to go at the same time. So we are all packing ourselves into their van and driving to Austin Saturday.

I have a little surprise for Susan (which won't be a surprise when she reads this). I found the pictures of our very first trip to WDW when the girls were very young and all that was in that vast area was The Magic Kingdom.

When she was here for the funeral, she found my scrapbook of the second trip we took to WDW. She had many comments as she went through the album.

I'll let her share them with you on one of her future postings.

I am a sucker for old WDW pictures -- can't wait to see them!

Either we lost all of our subscribers or everyone is just lurking. Maybe we're just boring, or maybe we just don't update often enough. I have plenty of Disney planning on the agenda, just very little time to do it! I will try to post an update this Sunday (that is the soonest I think I'll be able to get to it).

I need to update on:
Lessons learned from Katie's Mini-Mickey
Trip Binder
Clothes
and more!

Oh, I am totally still here!!!

 

[NMAmy]

Oh, Susan, I am so far behind here. Between work and my mom's health issues, I haven't had as much time as I'd like for trip report reading. Mom is fine--but she had surgery and I am what we call her "beck and call girl." Last night I took her to Rite Aid to get a table and chairs for the back yard that she absolutely could not wait until this weekend to purchase. I've spent several weeks doing this kind of thing along with the shopping, laundry, and cleaning at her house. She put up with me when I was a teenager so I owe her big time.

Anyway, I was going to say I was so sorry for your loss but now I know that I need to say here's a pinch of pixie dust to send your grandmother off in style. She sounds like a wonderful woman.

I have to do some more reading to catch up but wanted to let you know I was thinking of you.

 

[Donald is #1]

I have a little surprise for Susan (which won't be a surprise when she reads this). I found the pictures of our very first trip to WDW when the girls were very young and all that was in that vast area was The Magic Kingdom.

When she was here for the funeral, she found my scrapbook of the second trip we took to WDW. She had many comments as she went through the album.

I'll let her share them with you on one of her future postings.

Hmmm, vacation pictures from your childhood can be very embarassing. My sisters and I were looking at some of the pictures from when were were kids and our thoughts were: "Gee, we really looked like dorks!"

Either we lost all of our subscribers or everyone is just lurking. Maybe we're just boring, or maybe we just don't update often enough. I have plenty of Disney planning on the agenda, just very little time to do it! I will try to post an update this Sunday (that is the soonest I think I'll be able to get to it).

I need to update on:
Lessons learned from Katie's Mini-Mickey
Trip Binder
Clothes
and more!

I'm still here!

 

[stagemomx3]

I'm here, sorry to have fallen into lurker mode, I'll do better I promise!

 

[dddisrunner]

I am still here!