ET's Pre trip and Trip report. TR pg 6 #87. New 10/14 THE END on pg 19 #271
- Thread starter Eeyore's Tiara
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She LEFT ME!!!!!! 
stinkerbelle's mom
<font color=red>Achooo!<br><font color=teal>Good t
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Eeyore's Tiara
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Okay, here it is the first really LONG installment.
Well guys, the trip started out fine. We decided to stay at a hotel at the airport the night before we left so that we wouldnt have to get up at 5 am. I havent turned back from a pumpkin at 5 am. So off we headed in our little minivan to the hotel. We drove by the hotel 4 times before we finally managed to find the entrance.
I know, youre thinking, are they really that dim witted? Well let me tell you. They hid that entrance on purpose. The only reason we could come up with is that you book the hotel and then you cant figure out how to get to it. Thus, they make a lot of extra money! If you dont show up by 6 am, they get to keep your money
.So imagine all these people driving around the block repeatedly. One of them was us! After we toured the area several times we realized you had to go through the parking lot of another hotel to get to it. (Slap on the forehead) It was a marketing ploy. The hotel parking lot you had to drive through was a much more expensive hotel. We figured they hoped youd give up and just check into the more expensive hotel. That way they get to keep your money for the other hotel and get more out of you for the pricey hotel. Hey, the guy that thought that up was a brainiac! 
We finally managed to get into our hotel rooms, late of course, and rushed to get to sleep. Have you ever tried to force yourself to go to sleep? You know that it doesnt work no matter how hard you try. I got up and repacked our luggage about 5 times while I was supposed to be sleeping. The kids were bouncing off the bed, literally. Finally some sleep and then the alarm went off. Oh, too early to try to get out of bed. Why didnt I plan a later flight? It was pure greed on my part to want to try and make it to a park the first day.
Now heres where I have to say that my husband works for the GOV in the DOT at DFW for the FAA. Yes, hes employed by initials. What that means is, he should know at what terminal a plane is going to take off from. Or at least thats what I thought. You know that saying, Close enough in government work? Well evidently that applies here. My husband told us that we needed to be at terminal D. The really nice man checking our luggage curbside didnt bother to disagree until after he had checked all our bags and gotten his tip!
Then he said, Well, dont you know that your plane takes off from terminal A? WHAT!? If you have been to DFW, you know that it is a long way from one terminal to another let alone 3 terminals away. By this point, my husband had already left us to go park the car and get a ride back. I had his boarding pass and luggage. They wouldnt let me go through security without him present. And, HE didnt have a phone with him. I had to call his work and have them track him down to tell him we were at the wrong terminal. We carted all our carry on luggage back outside and waited to hop on a bus to the correct terminal. Several bags and tips later we ended up at terminal A. We walk into terminal A at our departure gate and my husband is no where to be seen. I just looked at the people with us and said I guess we need to walk to the next security checkpoint because hes not here. My husband is a good guy and I love him, 
but sometimes he can truly frustrate me. There he was several gates down at the next security checkpoint. There was nothing I could say. It would have totally pointless, so I just shook my head, handed him his bag and boarding pass while mentally slapping myself for not having made him take them with him when he went to park the car. 
We had arrived with 30 minutes to spare. We grabbed a snack for the kids, ate what we could and threw most of it away when they started boarding. Did I forget to mention that all three of my girls were dressed as Disney Princesses and the little boy with us was Mr. Incredible? Now take a moment to redo all the above scenes-- in costume . You dont know how many startled looks and smiles we received. I figured the safest way to get the costumes there was to let them wear them. And they wouldnt take up too much space in the suitcase. At least the kids got a kick out of all the attention. They received royal treatment at boarding and on the plane. We even had some other people traveling to Disney stop and ask to take a picture of them! Talk about a small world.
After a very uneventful flight, we landed in Orlando and arrived into the terminal. I had thought the costumes would cause more of a stir in Dallas than in Orlando. But I was wrong. People stopped to talk to the girls, they laughed, they smiled, and their kids came over to talk to us. It was like traveling with royalty! Even the airport workers stopped to chat. Hey, its a great icebreaker!
Onward onto the magical express. They were expecting us. Wow, that was great. It was only a bus after all, but the bus driver made it fun. He played all sorts of old disco tunes. I was kinda expecting Disney, but Freak Out wasnt too bad
Our arrival at the Grand Floridian was perfect. I was such a picture of charm, grace, and elegance. NOT!
The first thing I managed to do was catch my rolling suitcase on the curb and the wheels went the other way and I ended up on my knees staring at the ground. Then I had to get up and walk into the hotel. What an entrance
To their credit, not one of the bellboys or greeters cracked a smile in my presence. 
On to the front desk. We checked taking time to joke with the hotel front service guy while the kids explored the front lobby. There was a wedding in the lobby and we were also trying to make sure no kids ended up in the wedding photos. I can imagine when the pictures came back from the photographers. Hey, theres Aunt Eileen and Uncle Fred, but whos that little kid in the costume?
On to our room. Our room was in Conch Key, (I hope thats right.) We arrived in and planned to just throw our luggage into the room and go to the park or explore the other hotels, but about the time we were leaving, our checked luggage managed to show up. So we stayed and unpacked wasting just enough time until it was dinner. Off to the Concourse Steakhouse. It was great. The kids totally enjoyed the make your own cookies. I was so jealous until I ate the first bite of the crème brulee .Oh, pure heaven.
After the wonderful dinner, which is under the monorail, we headed back towards our hotel. We, my friend and I, decided to get off at the Polynesian and explore while the guys took the kids back to the room. We toured the lobby and the stores and checked out the artist doing caricatures. Then back on the monorail to our hotel. We were all so tired, that we started to get ready for bed, but I still had a grocery delivery that hadnt arrived yet. So my little angels, aka the kids, dropped off to sleep while my husband and I waited for the groceries. They arrived a little before 10pm and I was finally able to get ready for bed. And this is where it started to go downhill. This is where I realized I had gotten Utahmamas dream trip with problems and chaos. Oh for the love of Pete, what now?
Well guys, the trip started out fine. We decided to stay at a hotel at the airport the night before we left so that we wouldnt have to get up at 5 am. I havent turned back from a pumpkin at 5 am. So off we headed in our little minivan to the hotel. We drove by the hotel 4 times before we finally managed to find the entrance.
I know, youre thinking, are they really that dim witted? Well let me tell you. They hid that entrance on purpose. The only reason we could come up with is that you book the hotel and then you cant figure out how to get to it. Thus, they make a lot of extra money! If you dont show up by 6 am, they get to keep your money
.So imagine all these people driving around the block repeatedly. One of them was us! After we toured the area several times we realized you had to go through the parking lot of another hotel to get to it. (Slap on the forehead) It was a marketing ploy. The hotel parking lot you had to drive through was a much more expensive hotel. We figured they hoped youd give up and just check into the more expensive hotel. That way they get to keep your money for the other hotel and get more out of you for the pricey hotel. Hey, the guy that thought that up was a brainiac! We finally managed to get into our hotel rooms, late of course, and rushed to get to sleep. Have you ever tried to force yourself to go to sleep? You know that it doesnt work no matter how hard you try. I got up and repacked our luggage about 5 times while I was supposed to be sleeping. The kids were bouncing off the bed, literally. Finally some sleep and then the alarm went off. Oh, too early to try to get out of bed. Why didnt I plan a later flight? It was pure greed on my part to want to try and make it to a park the first day.
Now heres where I have to say that my husband works for the GOV in the DOT at DFW for the FAA. Yes, hes employed by initials. What that means is, he should know at what terminal a plane is going to take off from. Or at least thats what I thought. You know that saying, Close enough in government work? Well evidently that applies here. My husband told us that we needed to be at terminal D. The really nice man checking our luggage curbside didnt bother to disagree until after he had checked all our bags and gotten his tip!
Then he said, Well, dont you know that your plane takes off from terminal A? WHAT!? If you have been to DFW, you know that it is a long way from one terminal to another let alone 3 terminals away. By this point, my husband had already left us to go park the car and get a ride back. I had his boarding pass and luggage. They wouldnt let me go through security without him present. And, HE didnt have a phone with him. I had to call his work and have them track him down to tell him we were at the wrong terminal. We carted all our carry on luggage back outside and waited to hop on a bus to the correct terminal. Several bags and tips later we ended up at terminal A. We walk into terminal A at our departure gate and my husband is no where to be seen. I just looked at the people with us and said I guess we need to walk to the next security checkpoint because hes not here. My husband is a good guy and I love him, but sometimes he can truly frustrate me. There he was several gates down at the next security checkpoint. There was nothing I could say. It would have totally pointless, so I just shook my head, handed him his bag and boarding pass while mentally slapping myself for not having made him take them with him when he went to park the car. We had arrived with 30 minutes to spare. We grabbed a snack for the kids, ate what we could and threw most of it away when they started boarding. Did I forget to mention that all three of my girls were dressed as Disney Princesses and the little boy with us was Mr. Incredible? Now take a moment to redo all the above scenes-- in costume . You dont know how many startled looks and smiles we received. I figured the safest way to get the costumes there was to let them wear them. And they wouldnt take up too much space in the suitcase. At least the kids got a kick out of all the attention. They received royal treatment at boarding and on the plane. We even had some other people traveling to Disney stop and ask to take a picture of them! Talk about a small world.
After a very uneventful flight, we landed in Orlando and arrived into the terminal. I had thought the costumes would cause more of a stir in Dallas than in Orlando. But I was wrong. People stopped to talk to the girls, they laughed, they smiled, and their kids came over to talk to us. It was like traveling with royalty! Even the airport workers stopped to chat. Hey, its a great icebreaker!
Onward onto the magical express. They were expecting us. Wow, that was great. It was only a bus after all, but the bus driver made it fun. He played all sorts of old disco tunes. I was kinda expecting Disney, but Freak Out wasnt too bad
Our arrival at the Grand Floridian was perfect. I was such a picture of charm, grace, and elegance. NOT!
The first thing I managed to do was catch my rolling suitcase on the curb and the wheels went the other way and I ended up on my knees staring at the ground. Then I had to get up and walk into the hotel. What an entrance
To their credit, not one of the bellboys or greeters cracked a smile in my presence. On to the front desk. We checked taking time to joke with the hotel front service guy while the kids explored the front lobby. There was a wedding in the lobby and we were also trying to make sure no kids ended up in the wedding photos. I can imagine when the pictures came back from the photographers. Hey, theres Aunt Eileen and Uncle Fred, but whos that little kid in the costume?
On to our room. Our room was in Conch Key, (I hope thats right.) We arrived in and planned to just throw our luggage into the room and go to the park or explore the other hotels, but about the time we were leaving, our checked luggage managed to show up. So we stayed and unpacked wasting just enough time until it was dinner. Off to the Concourse Steakhouse. It was great. The kids totally enjoyed the make your own cookies. I was so jealous until I ate the first bite of the crème brulee .Oh, pure heaven.
After the wonderful dinner, which is under the monorail, we headed back towards our hotel. We, my friend and I, decided to get off at the Polynesian and explore while the guys took the kids back to the room. We toured the lobby and the stores and checked out the artist doing caricatures. Then back on the monorail to our hotel. We were all so tired, that we started to get ready for bed, but I still had a grocery delivery that hadnt arrived yet. So my little angels, aka the kids, dropped off to sleep while my husband and I waited for the groceries. They arrived a little before 10pm and I was finally able to get ready for bed. And this is where it started to go downhill. This is where I realized I had gotten Utahmamas dream trip with problems and chaos. Oh for the love of Pete, what now?
Eeyore's Tiara
DIS Veteran
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- Aug 2, 2006
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Hey guys thanks for waiting on me. I hit a wall of tired when we got back and am just now starting to feel human again. But it was great! I met Umama, Gmax & her mom, and Cherokeemama. It was awesome! I can't wait to catch up to them again.
Thank you Lan for waiting on me. My pictures are coming, hopefully sooner than later.
Hey Umama, I read the first part of your trip report. It's great!
Hey Ilovepooh, can't wait to read your comments now that I'm back.
I missed you all. 
Thank you Lan for waiting on me. My pictures are coming, hopefully sooner than later.
Hey Umama, I read the first part of your trip report. It's great!
Hey Ilovepooh, can't wait to read your comments now that I'm back.
I missed you all.
Eeyore's Tiara
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Lan, there were a few moments there where Glenda tried to steal some china, but it all worked out okay!
aldisneygrl
<font color=green>I'm putting on my shades<br><fon
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I am new here and trying to read three TR's at one time (yours, UtahMama, and GlendaMax) 
I am sure your little ones were precious in their outfits.
Can't wait to hear the rest of the story....
I am sure your little ones were precious in their outfits.
Can't wait to hear the rest of the story....
What a great idea! You know I'll be trying to work that angle in Dec. 
MissMichelle
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GREAT start! Can't wait to hear what the problems were that arose...I am glad I *refound* this trippie (had already read your pre, but re-read it just to get back into it b4 reading the real thing). I likes 
Al and Kate's Mom
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You've got me hooked! 
UtahMama
Wakey, wakey, Eggs and Bakey<br><img src=http://ww
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ET!!!!!! Sorry I took so Long, My BAD!
I love your TR thus far...EXCEPT!!!! We also ate at the Concourse SteakHouse...and we hated it!
HATED. IT!
We must have ordered the wrong stuff! The Lobster Bisque was really good. I should have stopped there! Our painted cookies were really stale and the "paint" gave my DD2 a rash! Well, I "painted" her lips with the stuff like lip gloss so I deserved it. I am glad you liked it, though. We got the filet...which I am sure was NOT beef! Isnt it funny how people have totally different experiences?
We loved the GF!!! You kind of sit up straighter there, know what I mean?
Have you seen the pics on Glenda Max's TR??
:US!!!!!!
Good Job!!! Sorry you fell! (Glad no-one laughed at you )
I love your TR thus far...EXCEPT!!!! We also ate at the Concourse SteakHouse...and we hated it!
HATED. IT!
We must have ordered the wrong stuff! The Lobster Bisque was really good. I should have stopped there! Our painted cookies were really stale and the "paint" gave my DD2 a rash! Well, I "painted" her lips with the stuff like lip gloss so I deserved it. I am glad you liked it, though. We got the filet...which I am sure was NOT beef! Isnt it funny how people have totally different experiences?
We loved the GF!!! You kind of sit up straighter there, know what I mean?
Have you seen the pics on Glenda Max's TR??
:US!!!!!!Good Job!!! Sorry you fell! (Glad no-one laughed at you
)MomPlanner22
If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit b
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Where have I been and how have I missed your awesome TR? I read about you on Gmax's TR and had to come find you! I am so bummed that I missed all the pretrip frivolity!
I have a friend with an ex like yours -- she weighs her daughter after his 1 week with her in the summer. She always loses weight! He is a first rate schmuck. They should create a colony and put them all together!
If you could write "Disboards" across your butt, I could write the following:
"Disboards -- a forum to discuss all the wonders of Walt Disney World."
I am so excited to read the rest of your report and I am not surprised at all that you stayed at the Grand Floridian, being that you sport a tiara and all!
Keep writing!!!
I have a friend with an ex like yours -- she weighs her daughter after his 1 week with her in the summer. She always loses weight! He is a first rate schmuck. They should create a colony and put them all together!
If you could write "Disboards" across your butt, I could write the following:
"Disboards -- a forum to discuss all the wonders of Walt Disney World."
I am so excited to read the rest of your report and I am not surprised at all that you stayed at the Grand Floridian, being that you sport a tiara and all!
Keep writing!!!
Glendamax
<font color=blue>LOVES Old English Roses china at
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I need my computer to "DING" whenever someone talks about me! I'm just seeing this! So let me set the record straight: I did not try to steal the china, I thought that a place setting came WITH the tea. I think I was set up!Eeyore's Tiara said:Lan, there were a few moments there where Glenda tried to steal some china, but it all worked out okay!
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