Finding the Magic ~ 3/27 a must watch for all disney fans!

[princessjv]

Your kids are so cute!

OMYGOODNESS SO are YOURS!

{I do however graciously accept your compliment}
{Cause I'm gracious and all}.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I'm here!! I can't wait to start reading!!!!

 

[mom2mek]

Oh how scary! I hate that feeling. Every second feels like a minute. Every minute feels like an hour. Glad she was safe.

Sara

 

[princessjv]

Our Recipe to find the magic!


11 days in WDW

1 family {in one spot}

2 awesome resorts {AKLV & BWV}

2 illnesses

A few adult beverages {best were the ones enjoyed around the world}

Food & Wine Festival indulgence{s}.

10+ restaurants

1 {extremely expensive} tea party for a princess {and her mommy}.

1 surprise day with friends from home.

A large credit on our room account {or two}

More Characters than one can count. {or should want to count}

A partridge and a pear tree… well at least a Baobab & Christmas tree!


It’s been a few years since I’ve written a trip report. Fortunately we’ve been back to WDW a few er... several times in between. {I wish it was a fewish more}.

I'm not greedy. Really.


Some of you may have read my last Trip Report{s}.

Well at least the beginning of the last one.


Sadly I never finished it. {At least I never finished it for anyone else to read.}


[I princessjv do solomly swear to complete this Trip Report in a timely-ish fashion!]


As for my last TR...
I was lucky enough to take a mother – son trip with my amazing son. I left the hubs & toddler at home. I had planned, saved and prepared for our special trip for almost a year. I, being a “work at home mom”, had to make many sacrifices to go on an “alone trip” with one child. It’s something that I’d always dreamed about.

I felt so fortunate to be able to give my son and I those special memories.


Life was great.


I felt very lucky.


Sometimes under the happiness lays a lion.


What we weren’t lucky with, was the fact that my “mom” was diagnosed with stage IV Lung Cancer just a few months before our trip.


I struggled with whether we should leave or stay.


She told me to go.


I struggled more.


In the end, I did what she wanted me to do.
{I chose to go.}

I tried to let go of the pain and returned to my “happy place”, with my son. We created magic during that trip.

They are memories that neither he, nor I will ever forget.

Sadly my mom passed away the day we returned.

I think she waited for our return.

I guess I’ll never know.



What I do know is that my writing that trip report gave me the opportunity to reflect, process and come to terms with what was going on around me.


Now here I am again...About ready to air out the princessjv laundry.

I promise it’s not too [dirty].

We’re off to see if/when/where/how we could find our magic…

 

[Nicole786]

Jumping in! I feel like it was yesterday when I was reading the first TR!! So excited for the new one

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Count me in.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother

I also felt the panic when you were looking for you daughter (but for a much shorter time!) and I'm glad everything ended up the way it did

 

[ncsjodi]

I'm reading too, Jen, although I don't get here very often....

Looking forward to hearing all about your trip!

And, by the way, I think Tink and my DD6 were separated at birth....

 

[PrincessV]

To my not so new {well I didn't want to call you all old, now then did I... I guess I just did} friends - I love you guys!

HEY, who's "old"?! Right back atcha Jen - miss you!

Tink was up to no good this afternoon. {which is truly almost an everyday occurance}.

I know this to be true, having known you for a while, but... she's just so darned cute! I had a very hard time imagining her to be Tink-ish in a bad way at all when we visited!

2 awesome resorts {AKLV & BWV}

Ooo, I can't wait to hear your experiences there... and there!

2 illnesses

Nooo?!

A few adult beverages {best were the ones enjoyed around the world}

Yessss!

[I princessjv do solomly swear to complete this Trip Report in a timely-ish fashion!]

This proclamation is so many shades of Fuzzy, I don't know where to start, lol! BUT, I'm totally holding you to it.

In the end, I did what she wanted me to do.
{I chose to go.}

I tried to let go of the pain and returned to my “happy place”, with my son. We created magic during that trip.

They are memories that neither he, nor I will ever forget.

Sadly my mom passed away the day we returned.

I think she waited for our return.

Me too.

 

[TeaForTulips]

subbing!

You have such a cute family!

I'm so sorry about your mother. My dearest friend lost her mother yesterday to cancer after a long battle. So many lives are touched by this disease. My heart goes out to you.

I am looking forward to your report!

 

[TeaForTulips]

duplicate post... sorry!

 

[dmoore718]

I love it!!!! You have a beautiful family and you look beautiful too!! I also hate pics of myself but did put one in my PTR. I also have a "Tink" who has a similiar personality. Don't you just love it?

 

[mom2mek]

Recipe looks delicious! (Except for that sickness thing....)

Keep it coming...

Sara

 

[IluvXU]

A snow day let me find this. So glad you are back and cannot wait to hear about your trip! The kids are getting too big!

 

[princessjv]

Before I begin...

I've been so fortunate to have so many DIS friends touch my life over the last 6 years. Today is one of the days that my heart is hurting for one of those amazing friends.

Today a wonderful DIS friend lost her husband. Kristel - My heart goes out to you a million times over!

*****************************************************************

I'm here!! I can't wait to start reading!!!!

Hello there! I'm glad you stopped by!

Every minute feels like an hour.
Sara

You know it! The worst is that she has done it over an over to me... I feel she needs a leash {and she is 6!}

I feel like it was yesterday when I was reading the first TR!!

Time goes way, way to darn fast! Congrats on making the castle video! AWESOME!

Count me in.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother

Thanks! I'm really glad you took the time to post.

I'm reading too, Jen, although I don't get here very often....

Looking forward to hearing all about your trip!

And, by the way, I think Tink and my DD6 were separated at birth....

Thank you so much for coming over! I know you aren't here too much anymore...so it means a lot! I think our girls have a ton in common!

This proclamation is so many shades of Fuzzy, I don't know where to start, lol! BUT, I'm totally holding you to it.

You're the queen of fuzzy math.

sub
I'm so sorry about your mother. My dearest friend lost her mother yesterday to cancer after a long battle. So many lives are touched by this disease. My heart goes out to you.

It's terrible, awful, horrible! I'm sorry for your friend... especially to have to endure the pain of a long battle.

{But on a happier note: Welcome!}

duplicate post... sorry!

That just means you doubly get a WELCOME!

I love it!!!! You have a beautiful family and you look beautiful too!! I also hate pics of myself but did put one in my PTR. I also have a "Tink" who has a similiar personality. Don't you just love it?

Those little Tink's of the world are going to give their mommy's {& daddy's} grey hair! Hopefully yours isn't as naughty.

Er...
Maybe she is an then I can feel {better}.

Recipe looks delicious! (Except for that sickness thing....)

Keep it coming...

Sara

It's coming. The sickness was not so fun. {nope!}

A snow day let me find this. So glad you are back and cannot wait to hear about your trip! The kids are getting too big!

YEA! A snow day from school! {it seems like you may have had a lot of those this year. What's up with that?}

How are the kids? I bet that little "baby" boy is growing up!



*****************************************************

I have the next installment complete just waiting for Hubs to get home.

In his kind generousity he decided to empty the camera{s} onto his compute, so we wouldn't need multiple memory cards.
Sounded LIKE a Great idea!


But only he forgot to then download the pictures off of his laptop.

oupsies.


He is in route from the UK. I've been single parenting for 1 too many weeks {he's been overseas for a few. Weeks that is}.

I love my kids, but I call a-

TIME OUT!

I need a MOMMY Break!


Tomorrow I get said mommy break.

For the whole weekend!

and I will post as soon as I get those pesty pictures!

 

[MAJ RN]

Subbing!! I know what you mean about being in pictures, I will avoid it at all cost!! Your children are beautiful! Looking forward to reading more.


Melissa

 

[MeMom]

From one who hates having my picture made, also - Hello!

I'm sure your mom was very happy that you got to take that special trip.

 

[pooh'smate]

Joining in. I don't like to have my picture taken either.

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

Joining in! Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[princessjv]

I know what you mean about being in pictures, I will avoid it at all cost!!

Melissa, Thanks for joining in! I totally get avoiding them. Hate, hate hate them!

From one who hates having my picture made, also - Hello!

Hey there is a whole group of us! Lets ban mom pictures all together!

Joining in. I don't like to have my picture taken either.

Awesome!

Joining in! Looking forward to hearing more!

Thanks for coming over! Welcome!

-------------------------------------
Hubs is back in America!

I stole our pictures off of Hubs computer and am uploading them, so I can get my next installment out. {finally}

I also quickly said Hi to Hubs and just as quick asked him to load the car, cause Momma's got a Scrapbooking retreat to get too!

"Honey, Can you load all of my stuff. I want to get to my retreat. And By the way... it's a titch cold out, so make sure to bundle up."

So off he went. Jet lagged and all {poor guy} and loaded my car to the brim.


After he came in, he announced, "I loaded & started the car and by the way it's not a TITCH cold outside.


Your car says it's -21*"

So I have even more affirmation that Hubs treats me well!

 

[princessjv]

It was November.


Some of the best weather occurs in our area of the country, in November, which led me to wondering why on earth I’d be heading south.
Disney. That’s right, low crowds, cooler weather and Food and Wine festival. Who could ask for more?

I, of course was traveling alone. {yes this is no different from my normal}.

But this was the first time that I got the luck of traveling with 2 kids alone.

WELL, I take that back.

I don’t know about you, but every trip I have ever taken with my children could have {should have been} classified as traveling alone.
I do the planning…
Organizing…
Packing…
And all other misc. trip needs.

Sure Hubs is usually there to drive with us to the airport.

He even boards the plane with the kids and I.

But that’s where much of the partnership in flying ends.

Who is the lucky one who always sits with the kids on the plane?
ME, myself and I.

I’m very fond of looking over at Hubs seated by himself, Ipod in ears, book in hand… sometimes napping. Sometimes striking up a deep conversation with seatmates.

Never enduring the headache of traveling with our kids.

Then I look at myself, sitting in between 2 kids who would otherwise be scratching each other… er… at least poking each other and fighting over the armrest location of up or down.

While hubs enjoys his 3+ hours of peace in the sky…
I get soda split on me.

I have to locate headphones.

I have to fix said headphones.

Keep heads facing forward and not snooping on the neighbors behind us.

Prevent small feet from hitting the seat in front of them.

I pick up every small toy dropped on the floor.

Stop fights over who gets the window.

Ensure seatbelts are on at all times.

Find snacks.

Bring one kid potty and try to squeeze myself into the “bathroom” with them.

Make sure the electronics are complying with federal regulations… and the compatibility of my children.

And the list goes on…

And on…

And on…

So I guess this time, traveling without Hubs may have actually been less stressful in that I didn’t have to endure his peacefulness whilst I worked my tail feathers off to get us to Orlando.

The kids and I traveled well alone. It was kind of an adventure.

We sent our luggage ahead with Hubs, the week before. He was not pleased to have to take 2 - 70+lbs bags with him for his weekly trip south.

Too bad.

I had 2 kids with backpacks stuffed with time killers, a stroller and carryon bags to deal with.

I’m cheap and being that Hubs flies so often, his baggage flies free. [Small benefit of having him gone]
{very small}

He thought he got the tough part of lugging luggage.
I think he got the easier end of the bargain.

I looked to Peter to step up and help more with the carryon bags and stroller.

He was on point and helpful.
He did great. He made me proud.

We had an early flight and my little brother generously drove the kids and I to the airport. Whenever we fly early in the morning, I make it a point to have the kids bathed the night before and I put them to bed in clothes comfortable enough to sleep in, yet appropriate to fly in as well. It’s just one small step easier to not have to deal with in the morning… and less fighting with Tink over just what she is going to wear that day.

We have 2 airports in our metro area. I love to fly out of the smaller of the two, but this trip we were in the BIG one. Even at 6 in the morning, the place was a mad house! It took us close to an hour to clear security.

I’m thankful that our airport includes a “family” lane.
I’d hate being behind me in line, if I was a business traveler.
I think in total we had 3 bins, 1 rolling luggage, a duffle bag, 2 backpacks and a stroller. Yikes! It’s a lot.

And I don’t even feel that I am an over packer.

Now my friend who {you get to "meet" at the end of my trip} happened to overlap our trip is an over packer. I think her family of 4 traveled with 6 pieces of luggage. She needs OPA {over-packers-anonymous}. But not me! hehehe


Our flight down was easy.


When we got off the plane, the airport was HOPPING busy! A kind woman stepped up to me, as I was attaching our carry ons, backpacks, and all small hands to the stroller for easier movement through the rush. The woman asked if we were headed to WDW and shoved 2 un-used double stroller passes in my hand. I thanked her, but told her I was unsure if we could use them and she replied that she'd feel better if someone at least try to use them because she paid highway robbery for them.


Our next stop was the mini monrail. Regulars to WDW have their own names from fake monoral to 1st monoral, but ours in the mini. I was trying my bestest to keep my ducklings attached to me as we pushed through the crowd.


princessjv kiddos on the mini monorail!




ME was the only “hiccup” that we encountered. Well truly we didn’t encounter it… Everyone NOT in our line did.

Every time we have used ME we have always walked right through the long lines and up to the front. I’ve always wondered when they’d use all of those long lines of stantions.

I saw when.

Then!

The lines for almost all of the resorts were plum full. Almost over flowing back to the check in area.

But ours was not.

The CM asked where we were headed.
I replied Animal Kingdom Lodge.
She smirked and told me that we were the lucky ones today, and pointed us to the only set of stantions with 2 families in it.

Woohoo!






We were loading our bus in a few short minutes.

I was feeling good. This was going to be a great trip.

I was hoping for magic…


We waited to load the ME.
I’m one of those people who make sure that ALL of MY items are placed in the same bin under the bus.
I also make sure that I’m seated on the same side of the bus as the Bins.
{For those who have read my previous TR’s this is an old story, please forgive me.}
On our first trip with the Magical Express… way back when Tink was just 10 months old… We loaded the ME for home [with our luggage] and were genuinely surprised to arrive at the airport without our luggage. {This was prior airport check in at the resorts}. The ME stops 2 times. We were on the 2nd stop. The driver gave our luggage to another family at the 1st stop. Bye bye luggage.
It was a nightmare!
I’m sure it was also a fluke. But it did happen!

After ensuring our belongings were safely loaded on the ME bus, we loaded ourselves. Peter wanted more than anything to sit in the front of the bus. The closer to the front the better, for me too.
Less carting of myself, my tush and my kids through the small aisle of the bus, bumping and excusing myself the whole way down.

Yes, I’m THAT person.

I apologize now, if I’ve ever bumped you.

The way I see it, is that on the ME, it’s people’s first exposure to over crowdedness, get close with your neighborness, lose all boundaries of personal spaceness. It’s the Disney way!
{And a warm up for what is ahead.}
Sorta.


Thankfully both front seats were open.

Kinda.

The driver had a lunch bag sitting on the seat behind him. I tried to get the attention of the driver to ensure that we could scoot his lunch over, but I think he pretended to not hear me. {Everyone else around him did.} hmm.

Oh well.

I decided to slide the lunch over and told Peter to sit on the outside seat, with directions not to touch the drivers bag.
He’d never.
{Tink would, since there are little eye balls on the bottoms of her fingers}.

I warned anyways. {It’s always better to give the momma - means business warning.}
Multiple times.



Here you can just barely see the drivers lunch bag, nicely sooted over, Peter not a bit interested in "touching it".


Tink and I settled into the front seat across from Peter and we waited just a few minutes for the final guests to load the bus.
When the driver loaded he told Peter that he was in a reserved seat and he’d have to move.

I interjected that I was the one who moved his lunch and tried to explain that Peter really wanted to sit in the front.

Mr. Crabby driver told me that he’d need to move.


The kids waitng & ready for their magical express ride.


Sadly at this point the bus was fairly full. There were no 2 seats left together.

So Peter joined Tink and I in our seat. I put Tink on my lap, Peter sat on the outside seat and held my purse.

The kids began to bicker about who had more space.
{I had the least.}

I let them bicker for a while, directing their voices forward.
{In the drivers ear.}

A bit of sibling bickering is good for them.
{And the bus driver too.}

The seat behind the driver remained empty for the entire trip.
We were the last to be dropped off.

The driver earned no tip from princessjv.

We were bitter last to be dropped off. We stopped a few {too many places} and once on Animal Kingdom property, we dropped off at Kindani Village, then Jambo House.

Forget Mr. Crabby Bus Driver, We were in awe, immediately.