FINISHED! 7/2 The magic (and not-so-magic) memories Jan29-Feb4 Disney/Universal

[Moodyzblu]

Beautiful hotel !

Sad to see your trip come to an end. But you did a great job reporting .. really enjoyed reading about your adventure !

 

[sarahcor]

Beautiful hotel !

Sad to see your trip come to an end. But you did a great job reporting .. really enjoyed reading about your adventure !

Thanks so much! I'll be posting the last trip update soon, a souviner installment and our plans for our next trip .

 

[Sparkly]

The Hard Rock Hotel looks really nice! The rooms are so bright compared to Royal Pacific.

We never got to meet the Simpsons unfortunately. Good find seeing Homer in the elevator!

Can't beat free ice cream My mum got given a coupon for free cake as it was her birthday and it wasn't particularly nice. Ice cream would have been so much better.

 

[sarahcor]

The Hard Rock Hotel looks really nice! The rooms are so bright compared to Royal Pacific.

We never got to meet the Simpsons unfortunately. Good find seeing Homer in the elevator!

Can't beat free ice cream My mum got given a coupon for free cake as it was her birthday and it wasn't particularly nice. Ice cream would have been so much better.

The Hard Rock was really nice, we felt kind of out of place. Pop is where we have usually stayed, totally different atmosphere entirely.
Mia's never watched the Simpsons but she knows who they are, seeing him the the hotel was cool.
The free ice cream was good, too bad your mom's freebie wasn't as good.
Thanks for reading!

 

[sarahcor]

The dreaded day of departure had arrived. Good news, Paul was feeling pretty much back to his regular self! Yay! The flu was over! I do not have to drive the entire way back to Pennsylvania! I was really happy, I don’t mind driving because we take turns. The thought of driving the entire time was too much. Actually, the thought of driving again anytime soon is too much! Next time we’ll be flying.

Westin was busy checking himself out in the mirror that makes your face ginormous.

We checked out at took a few more photos out front.

I felt like we were leaving the house of a rich relative. It didn’t look like a typical hotel, more like a mansion.

One last photo before we get on our way.

We drove non-stop, except for potty breaks and eating. Westin was not enjoying the ride at all. If we put the windows down his mood improved. I guess he liked the wind in his face. Mia was also not enjoying the drive back as she had a week’s worth of schoolwork to catch up on.

We made it home around 2:30am, it took us about 18 hours with all of our stops. When vacation is over it’s usually a bummer to return to daily life. I was actually glad to be back home.

Traveling with non-family was quite an experience. I have known Bridget and her family for 24 years. Bridget and I have vacationed together many times before. I can get along with pretty much anyone. Paul is the exact opposite. If something is bothering him he will not say anything, he will let the annoyance build up inside until he explodes.

Being that we were together as group for almost the entire time I think it went quite well. Paul is a bit of a hot head (Hollywood Studios day is the perfect example). It doesn’t matter if we are vacationing by ourselves, with his family, with my family, he can only take so much.

If we ever vacation again with another family I will not feel bad to say “We need a little family time. We’ll see you at dinner tonight.” And then we can go about our merry way and they can do their thing. I have to think that if our nerves are beginning to fray so are theirs. Does that make sense?

All in all, I had a great time. I was so excited to take Westin and even though he won’t remember we have some great pictures. The highs would have to be meeting up with my relatives in Universal and touring with them, Westin meeting Pooh and Tigger, seeing The Wizarding World with my own eyes (it was pretty amazing). The lows, getting the flu (yuck) and the Hollywood Studios debacle.

Thanks to all those that read along, I hope you enjoyed our Magic (and not-so-magic) Memories!

Up next will be souvenirs and future trip plans.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Great job on the TR !!

I have to say I really enjoyed it .. your kids are too cute !

I love you and DD's shirts in the last pics.

I have traveled with another family, twice in fact. We made an agreement right from the beginning, that we would NOT spend all our time together. Most mornings we would meet for breakfast and then see what parks each other has planned. If we end up at the same park then we text each other to see where we are at and will meet up here and there if we are close by. Then we'll meet up for dinner and often back at the hotel later that night for snacks and a swim. My friend is a control freak and so I know if we try to stay together it will end up in frayed nerves and anxiety.

I can't imagine 18 hours in the car !! But with the prices of air right now .. I might consider it !

 

[sarahcor]

Here is the loot we brought back, well some of it. We have already misplaced a few of the toys.

Mia is modeling her Despicable Me shirt, they are holding the Mike and Sully stuffed toys that Mia picked out.

Here are the wands that Mia picked out for herself and Paul.

This one is Sirius Black’s wand up close.

Here is Harry’s, his isn’t very detailed.

We also got one of the chocolate frogs and this was the wizard card that was inside. We had a few bites while in Floride but brought most of it home to eat. Our dog Zack decided he would finish it for us, thanks Zack, it wasn’t that good anyways.

Front and back of the sweatsuit I got for Westin in Magic Kindgom, the day he had his diaper fiasco. He was actually wearing the pants in the Winnie the Pooh pictures.

Westin’s toys, there are a few more floating around but I wasn’t able to find them. I know Mater and the Sheriff were included too.

Mia with her Hollywood Studios ears, couldn’t get a good face out of her.

My ring that I really like but ended up accidentally throwing away my “girlfriend ring” for when I switched them.

Mia’s nerd backpack.

Other things we couldn’t find, a Kermit the Frog keychain and a pencil box set, both Mia’s. Also Paul’s minion shirt, can’t find it either, probably in the laundry room with all the other dirty clothes I haven’t washed!

I think we did pretty good on our souvenir purchases. I try not to get too much because when we get home it gets tossed aside and ends up being a waste of money. Mia had some of her own money for this trip, which is how she ended up with so much stuff.

 

[sarahcor]

So, for our future plans...Mia and I are going to Walt Disney World in November! Yay! Her dance studio (Bridget is the owner) is celebrating ten years by marching in the Christmas Parade! I am so excited for this! I am going to be the studio helper, hoping to see some backstage stuff that I normally wouldn't get to see.

The Christmas parade that is aired on Christmas day is taped over a period of three to four days a few weeks prior to Christmas. Mia and thirteen other girls from the studio are participating. They could "possibly" be in the television broadcast, as well as any of the spectators in the parade. We could also be part of the audience for the performers too.

We'll be staying at Port Orleans and rooming with Grace and Bridget. Flying this time, no driving for me.

The only bad part is Paul and Westin aren't coming. I think it would be too much for Westin (and actually Paul too!) because the practice schedule isn't determined until we arrive. The dancers could be called for practice/filming at anytime of the day or night. I think Paul would be pushed way past his limit with that kind of schedule.

We are going a few days early to celebrate Mia's 9th birthday. That way we'll have some park days where the parade won't interfere. She will actually be there on the day of her birthday and she is very much looking forward to wearing the birthday button!

I have promised her I won't make a detailed touring plan, rather I'll tell her the park with the best crowd predicition and we'll go from there. It will be tough but I'll restrain myself!

And, coming up in 2013 we're taking a cruise! I'm not really prepping for that until the dance trip is done.
I love having trips in the planning, it makes not being at Disney so much better knowing that I'll be back again.

Thanks again to all who read my report! Happy Disney!

 

[Moodyzblu]

That's awesome that you and Mia are taking a trip !

I've taken each of my kids on solo trips and it was great. you guys are going to have a great time.

 

[sarahcor]

That's awesome that you and Mia are taking a trip !

I've taken each of my kids on solo trips and it was great. you guys are going to have a great time.

I know we'll have a great time. She is such a wonderful big sister and a great help with Westin. She had quite an adjustment when Westin was born, there are 7 1/2 years between them. I am looking forward to giving her my undivided attention, I know she feels like we ignore her at times but she understands that babys are a lot of work.

 

[sarahcor]

Is a moderator able to move my thread to the completed section? I wasn't sure if it matters or not, but my report is done. Thanks!