Enchanted
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2005
- Messages
- 739
March 20th, 2009: Departure Day!
Theres nothing like waking up in the morning and thinking, Im leaving for Disney World today! Its like being a kid on Christmas morning all over again! All you can think about is walking down Main Street USA for the first time with an entire trip of fun ahead of you.
*sigh* Isnt it beautiful?
On this particular Friday morning, I jumped out of bed, did a short happy dance
, and then did my best to focus. I had a lot to do in a short amount of time, and I was terrified of forgetting to do anything. I was particularly freaked out about forgetting to pack something essential or something that would cost me an arm and a leg once we arrived in Orlando. I had been up really late the night before packing, but I was still convinced I was forgetting something.
Heres a picture of me while I was packing at, like, 1 AM or something ridiculous.
So while I was in the shower and doing my hair and everything that Friday morning, I went over my packing list AGAIN in my head and made sure I had everything important.
Makeup bag? Check.
Camera charger? Check.
Cash and drivers license? Check.
Underwear? Check.
It all seemed to check out. Stop stressing, I told myself. Youve just got pre-trip jitters. Itll be fine!
That morning I had to take my brother (lets just call him Bro) for his driving test. Since Im 21 and hes 19, he didnt need a parent present so my mom went to work for a few hours to finish up a few things and to get the last of her required hours in, while I went with my brother to the DMV. I could tell he was kind of nervous, but I just kept reassuring him that he would be fine. Hes a really good driver, very careful and always sure to obey the speed limits. He waited to get his license for a couple of reasons, mainly financial, but my mom thinks its all for the best because it allowed him to mature and grow up and realize that a car is not a toy for racing or anything. Anyway, Bro passed with flying colors! YAY!
So after he got his brand spankin new license and he called both of our parents in the parking lot to share his good news, we headed back home so that I could finish getting ready to leave.
On the way back home, we had to stop by the grocery store where I work at so that I could get some Diet Rite for my mom. She likes to drink the mini cans so I ran inside to pick some up to stock our cooler with. A couple of my co-workers told me they were going to miss me and gave me hugs and stuff. It was so sweet of them!
Its always nice to know that there will be people back home who will notice that youre gone. 
After Bro and I arrived home, my mom called and said that she was only about ten minutes away from our house and that I should have my luggage ready to load into her van. Now, the original plan had been that my mom was going to have to work until about 3 PM, and we would leave sometime around 3:30 or 4 to head to Aunt Cs house in Tennessee. We then planned on staying the night at Aunt Cs, waking up early on Saturday, and hitting the road, hopefully reaching Orlando by that evening. However, my mom found out that she had put in more hours than she thought she had, and so she could leave work around 11 AM. After chatting with Aunt C, it was decided that we would transfer luggage at Aunt Cs and hit the road again Friday evening, driving as far as we could before we were too tired to go any further. Then, we would spend the night in a hotel and drive the rest of the way to Orlando on Saturday morning, hopefully checking in at the surprise hotel a day early as long as they had a room available. We had also originally planned to take my car to Tennessee, but we had changed our minds (again) and decided to take Moms van just because it would allow more luggage room without us having to cram anything into corners or anything. So I threw a few last minute items into my suitcase and had Bro take it downstairs for me.
Then I realized that I hadnt collected all the DVDs and music CDs that I had wanted to bring and started dashing madly around the house trying to locate them. My mom arrived, ready to hit the road, and immediately started teasing me, mockingly tapping her foot and examining an imaginary watch.
I know, I know! Im coming, I swear!
Mom and Bro threw my luggage in the van while I tried to stifle the feeling that I still didnt have everything. Relax, I told myself. Youre just freaking because you cant find the Pirates 2 soundtrack. Youre not forgetting anything super important. Stop stressing out so much!
My mom came back inside. Im not getting any younger, yknow?
I know! Im sorry!
I grabbed the CD holder with all the CDs and DVDs we were bringing and headed outside. We were saying our goodbyes to Bro, and my mom was lecturing my brother on not using his new license to do anything crazy like drag race through the neighborhood when I remembered there was something important that Id almost forgotten.
WAIT! I exclaimed.
What now? Mom and Bro exclaimed simultaneously, rolling their eyes.
I forgot my second memory card! I hopped out of the van and rushed back inside to get it. I was afraid that I would fill up my new one and not have anything to fall back on so it was essential that I have my first one with me even though it still had a bunch of old photos on it. I wanted all of the memory space possible for even the most mundane pictures. You never know which ones are going to be important on the DIS or for a TR.
After I grabbed my memory card, I climbed back into the van, and we were finally able to pull out of the driveway. Bro stood on the front porch and waved us off, yelling things about freedom and fighting for the right to party and stuff. Hes a dork, but we love him anyway.
We stopped by Frischs and grabbed Big Boy burgers and onion rings from the drive thru. Mom and Aunt Cs all time favorite burger is the Big Boy, whose claim to fame is the tartar sauce that comes on it. We eat them whenever Aunt C comes to visit because they dont have Frischs restaurants down south so Aunt C only has a chance to eat them when she comes to Ohio to visit us. So naturally, I called Aunt C to tell her we were on the road and that I was eating her favorite burger. Our family loves to torture one another, what can I say?
When we finally got on the interstate, it was a little after noon. Aunt Cs house is about a five hour drive away depending on traffic, which meant that we would probably arrive sometime around 5 PM.
Heres me being goofy shortly after we got on the road. (Please forgive the lack of makeup. I hardly ever wear makeup on road trips.) Im saying, Mickey, here I come!
After about an hour of driving, my mom cleared her throat and said, I have a little bit of bad news before we get to Aunt Cs, and I dont want you to get upset.
Bad news?
BAD NEWS? On a Disney trip? 
There is no such thing as bad news on a Disney trip! Had someone died or something, and they were waiting to tell me until we were en route to soften the blow?
Whats wrong? I asked, slightly scared of what might be coming.
Nothings wrong per se. Its just
Mom, seriously! Spit it out.
Its just with the economy the way it is and everything, your Aunt C had to cancel the surprise hotel and booked Caribbean Beach instead. Is that okay?
I sighed a huge sigh of relief. I thought it was going to be so much worse! Talk about scaring me for no reason! Sure, I was a bit disappointed about not getting to stay at a surprise deluxe, but hello? I was on my way to Disney World, for cryin out loud! How could I possibly be upset? Besides, Ive always loved CBR so I was psyched to be staying there again, especially since we hadnt stayed there since the rehab with the Nemo rooms and the Pirate pool. I reassured my mom that I wasnt upset at all, that it was fine. Mom said Aunt C had really wanted to make the trip special for me and felt bad about having to cancel the secret reservation but that she hoped she could make it up to me in the future. Silly Mom and Aunt C! Worrying about nothing! They should know by now that Im waaaaay easier to please than that! Haha!
We got off the interstate at Mount Vernon, KY and pulled into a gas station to stretch our legs. I decided I wanted a snack, and my mom asked me to grab a bottle of water for her while I was inside the store. So I went inside and bought two waters, one for Mom and one for me, and a Zebra Cake for myself. (My brothers and I are obsessed with Zebra Cakes. We believe they are literally made of awesomeness.
) When I came back out of the gas station, my mom yelled out, Do you know what I forgot?
What? I asked, my stomach sinking.
My Mickey backpack! she cried, looking panicked.
Oh Bumski I said, jokingly sounding less than concerned.
You see, my mom has this backpack that is literally a 3-D plush version of Mickeys head. Moms been bringing that bag on every trip for as long as any of us can remember so it was pretty substantial that shed forgotten it.
Im serious! Mom exclaimed. I cant believe I forgot it!
I patted her arm as we got re-settled in the van. Itll be okay, Mom.
Call Aunt C, and tell her where we are and that I forgot my bag.
So as we pulled out of the parking lot, I called Aunt C to give her the 411 on our progress and to lament the forgotten backpack.
When Aunt C answered, she was flabbergasted that we were making such good progress.
I hope I make it back to the house before you get there. Im just heading in to get my nails done!
After some mild teasing about Aunt C waiting until the last minute to get her nails done, I told her about the missing Mickey backpack.
Better question, Aunt C responded, Did your mom remember her ticket?
It was a simple question, but I suddenly felt as if I'd been slapped in the face. I broke out into a cold sweat and my stomach started churning terribly. My mouth went dry as I repeated the question to my mom.
Uh, Mom? Did you remember your Annual Passport?
Yep! Mom answered cheerfully. Its in my wallet. I double-checked before we left.
Oh thats good, I murmured. Shes got it with her, Aunt C.
Oh good! Aunt C exclaimed.
Yeah I said, feeling more and more ill as the seconds passed. Small problem though I think I might have forgotten mine .
Theres nothing like waking up in the morning and thinking, Im leaving for Disney World today! Its like being a kid on Christmas morning all over again! All you can think about is walking down Main Street USA for the first time with an entire trip of fun ahead of you.
*sigh* Isnt it beautiful?
On this particular Friday morning, I jumped out of bed, did a short happy dance
, and then did my best to focus. I had a lot to do in a short amount of time, and I was terrified of forgetting to do anything. I was particularly freaked out about forgetting to pack something essential or something that would cost me an arm and a leg once we arrived in Orlando. I had been up really late the night before packing, but I was still convinced I was forgetting something.Heres a picture of me while I was packing at, like, 1 AM or something ridiculous.
So while I was in the shower and doing my hair and everything that Friday morning, I went over my packing list AGAIN in my head and made sure I had everything important.
Makeup bag? Check.
Camera charger? Check.
Cash and drivers license? Check.
Underwear? Check.
It all seemed to check out. Stop stressing, I told myself. Youve just got pre-trip jitters. Itll be fine!
That morning I had to take my brother (lets just call him Bro) for his driving test. Since Im 21 and hes 19, he didnt need a parent present so my mom went to work for a few hours to finish up a few things and to get the last of her required hours in, while I went with my brother to the DMV. I could tell he was kind of nervous, but I just kept reassuring him that he would be fine. Hes a really good driver, very careful and always sure to obey the speed limits. He waited to get his license for a couple of reasons, mainly financial, but my mom thinks its all for the best because it allowed him to mature and grow up and realize that a car is not a toy for racing or anything. Anyway, Bro passed with flying colors! YAY!
So after he got his brand spankin new license and he called both of our parents in the parking lot to share his good news, we headed back home so that I could finish getting ready to leave.On the way back home, we had to stop by the grocery store where I work at so that I could get some Diet Rite for my mom. She likes to drink the mini cans so I ran inside to pick some up to stock our cooler with. A couple of my co-workers told me they were going to miss me and gave me hugs and stuff. It was so sweet of them!
Its always nice to know that there will be people back home who will notice that youre gone. After Bro and I arrived home, my mom called and said that she was only about ten minutes away from our house and that I should have my luggage ready to load into her van. Now, the original plan had been that my mom was going to have to work until about 3 PM, and we would leave sometime around 3:30 or 4 to head to Aunt Cs house in Tennessee. We then planned on staying the night at Aunt Cs, waking up early on Saturday, and hitting the road, hopefully reaching Orlando by that evening. However, my mom found out that she had put in more hours than she thought she had, and so she could leave work around 11 AM. After chatting with Aunt C, it was decided that we would transfer luggage at Aunt Cs and hit the road again Friday evening, driving as far as we could before we were too tired to go any further. Then, we would spend the night in a hotel and drive the rest of the way to Orlando on Saturday morning, hopefully checking in at the surprise hotel a day early as long as they had a room available. We had also originally planned to take my car to Tennessee, but we had changed our minds (again) and decided to take Moms van just because it would allow more luggage room without us having to cram anything into corners or anything. So I threw a few last minute items into my suitcase and had Bro take it downstairs for me.
Then I realized that I hadnt collected all the DVDs and music CDs that I had wanted to bring and started dashing madly around the house trying to locate them. My mom arrived, ready to hit the road, and immediately started teasing me, mockingly tapping her foot and examining an imaginary watch.
I know, I know! Im coming, I swear!
Mom and Bro threw my luggage in the van while I tried to stifle the feeling that I still didnt have everything. Relax, I told myself. Youre just freaking because you cant find the Pirates 2 soundtrack. Youre not forgetting anything super important. Stop stressing out so much!
My mom came back inside. Im not getting any younger, yknow?
I know! Im sorry!
I grabbed the CD holder with all the CDs and DVDs we were bringing and headed outside. We were saying our goodbyes to Bro, and my mom was lecturing my brother on not using his new license to do anything crazy like drag race through the neighborhood when I remembered there was something important that Id almost forgotten.
WAIT! I exclaimed.
What now? Mom and Bro exclaimed simultaneously, rolling their eyes.
I forgot my second memory card! I hopped out of the van and rushed back inside to get it. I was afraid that I would fill up my new one and not have anything to fall back on so it was essential that I have my first one with me even though it still had a bunch of old photos on it. I wanted all of the memory space possible for even the most mundane pictures. You never know which ones are going to be important on the DIS or for a TR.
After I grabbed my memory card, I climbed back into the van, and we were finally able to pull out of the driveway. Bro stood on the front porch and waved us off, yelling things about freedom and fighting for the right to party and stuff. Hes a dork, but we love him anyway.
We stopped by Frischs and grabbed Big Boy burgers and onion rings from the drive thru. Mom and Aunt Cs all time favorite burger is the Big Boy, whose claim to fame is the tartar sauce that comes on it. We eat them whenever Aunt C comes to visit because they dont have Frischs restaurants down south so Aunt C only has a chance to eat them when she comes to Ohio to visit us. So naturally, I called Aunt C to tell her we were on the road and that I was eating her favorite burger. Our family loves to torture one another, what can I say?
When we finally got on the interstate, it was a little after noon. Aunt Cs house is about a five hour drive away depending on traffic, which meant that we would probably arrive sometime around 5 PM.
Heres me being goofy shortly after we got on the road. (Please forgive the lack of makeup. I hardly ever wear makeup on road trips.) Im saying, Mickey, here I come!
After about an hour of driving, my mom cleared her throat and said, I have a little bit of bad news before we get to Aunt Cs, and I dont want you to get upset.
Bad news?
BAD NEWS? On a Disney trip? There is no such thing as bad news on a Disney trip! Had someone died or something, and they were waiting to tell me until we were en route to soften the blow?Whats wrong? I asked, slightly scared of what might be coming.
Nothings wrong per se. Its just
Mom, seriously! Spit it out.
Its just with the economy the way it is and everything, your Aunt C had to cancel the surprise hotel and booked Caribbean Beach instead. Is that okay?
I sighed a huge sigh of relief. I thought it was going to be so much worse! Talk about scaring me for no reason! Sure, I was a bit disappointed about not getting to stay at a surprise deluxe, but hello? I was on my way to Disney World, for cryin out loud! How could I possibly be upset? Besides, Ive always loved CBR so I was psyched to be staying there again, especially since we hadnt stayed there since the rehab with the Nemo rooms and the Pirate pool. I reassured my mom that I wasnt upset at all, that it was fine. Mom said Aunt C had really wanted to make the trip special for me and felt bad about having to cancel the secret reservation but that she hoped she could make it up to me in the future. Silly Mom and Aunt C! Worrying about nothing! They should know by now that Im waaaaay easier to please than that! Haha!
We got off the interstate at Mount Vernon, KY and pulled into a gas station to stretch our legs. I decided I wanted a snack, and my mom asked me to grab a bottle of water for her while I was inside the store. So I went inside and bought two waters, one for Mom and one for me, and a Zebra Cake for myself. (My brothers and I are obsessed with Zebra Cakes. We believe they are literally made of awesomeness.
) When I came back out of the gas station, my mom yelled out, Do you know what I forgot? What? I asked, my stomach sinking.
My Mickey backpack! she cried, looking panicked.
Oh Bumski I said, jokingly sounding less than concerned.
You see, my mom has this backpack that is literally a 3-D plush version of Mickeys head. Moms been bringing that bag on every trip for as long as any of us can remember so it was pretty substantial that shed forgotten it.
Im serious! Mom exclaimed. I cant believe I forgot it!
I patted her arm as we got re-settled in the van. Itll be okay, Mom.
Call Aunt C, and tell her where we are and that I forgot my bag.
So as we pulled out of the parking lot, I called Aunt C to give her the 411 on our progress and to lament the forgotten backpack.
When Aunt C answered, she was flabbergasted that we were making such good progress.
I hope I make it back to the house before you get there. Im just heading in to get my nails done!
After some mild teasing about Aunt C waiting until the last minute to get her nails done, I told her about the missing Mickey backpack.
Better question, Aunt C responded, Did your mom remember her ticket?
It was a simple question, but I suddenly felt as if I'd been slapped in the face. I broke out into a cold sweat and my stomach started churning terribly. My mouth went dry as I repeated the question to my mom.
Uh, Mom? Did you remember your Annual Passport?
Yep! Mom answered cheerfully. Its in my wallet. I double-checked before we left.
Oh thats good, I murmured. Shes got it with her, Aunt C.
Oh good! Aunt C exclaimed.
Yeah I said, feeling more and more ill as the seconds passed. Small problem though I think I might have forgotten mine .
