Geyser Gazer
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 4, 2001
- Messages
- 428
We had attempted to take this very trip a year ago, but the day before our then 9 year old daughter Eden broke her femur falling out of a tree. She spent the next 32 days at the hospital in traction followed by 6 weeks of a body cast at home. We have been blessed this time around with healthy, healed kids and a wonderful time together. We begin our trip in Indianapolis at the airport Sunday, November 19, 2006. With a smirk security asked Sydney (our 7 year old) what she was doing being out of school this week, “do your teachers know where your going?, just what is your name?... I’ll have to call them”. Sydney looks her straight in the eye and says “Eden”, (to the surprise of her older sister). Later Sydney told my wife Darlene that she only lied because she was not supposed to tell strangers her real name. We had a smooth Southwest flight to Orlando and were able to pick a Kia Sorento (small SUV) with Emerald Aisle. Even with the larger vehicle we barely fit all our stuff in as we had packed for 13 nights at 3 locations.
We arrived at the Beach Club Villa’s in good spirits, checked in, and waited over an hour for our luggage so we could hit storm along bay. Next time we need to carry our swimsuits with us or shlep our luggage ourselves. Had lunch in our room from the marketplace and headed for the pool. It was cool (in the low 70's and breezy) but the girls and I had a great time exploring and using the water slide. We hit the outlet stores and brought back a Giordano’s pizza for a late supper with tired but happy kids. We could see some of Illuminations from our balcony but from the second floor much of it was blocked by a tree. The next morning We surprised the girls with the character breakfast at Cape May. It was nice and fun but pricey for buffet breakfast food. Still worth it for the surprise, the pictures, and the memory. We swam and slid Storm along Bay before walking around the boardwalk in the afternoon. That night Eden and I explored the decorations in Yacht Club lobby and watched Illuminations from bridge between Beach Club and the Boardwalk. It was chilly this night but we enjoyed this time alone together.
On Tuesday we ate breakfast and headed for Disney’s Hilton Head Resort. The day got more cold, gray, and damp with every hour traveled. By the time we got to the resort it was dark, misting, and the low 40's, but we could care less because we were on vacation. We were spoiled with a 2 bedroom villa for the 4 of us so it was great to be able to spread out after 2 nights in the Beach club studio. After we unpacked, I hit the grocery store and Darlene got us settled in. We had clam chowder for supper. The next morning was still cold and gray so Darlene went shopping while the girls and I caught “Blue Crab’s” afternoon magic show and rented our bikes. We all had a late seafood lunch at the “Sea Shack” that was quite good. That evening I brined our turkey in anticipation for the following day. We enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner together and the sun broke through the clouds almost as soon as we finished eating. The girls and I swam for a while before we all biked to the beach. THIS is why we love Hilton Head, biking across the firm beach, overlooking the Atlantic, smelling the sea, and feeling the sunshine. That night we had pumpkin pie for supper and enjoyed singing and goofin’ round the campfire. Friday was more of the same but we ended the day stuffing ourselves with crab legs. Saturday morning we hit some local beach shops before spending our last day of biking on the beach and spotting some dolphins. We had She Crab soup for supper and ended our evening with more of Blue’s magic and storytelling.
Sunday Morning November 26 we packed it all up and headed for the Wilderness Lodge. Holiday traffic added at least an hour to our travel but we did fine. We met up with my Sister In Law Donna’s Family and shared a 2 bedroom Villa. Sydney was very happy to have her best friend and cousin Emma back. This time we carried our bags in ourselves which was no small task. I had made turkey BBQ sandwiches and baked beans for dinner, later we enjoyed the evening pool side. In appreciation to my parents for sharing their lake cottage this summer Darlene and I had treated them to the week at Saratoga Springs (no more availability at the Lodge). They dropped by for a visit before watching the light parade on the lake.
Monday we headed out early for Epcot. It was a beautiful day and we were selected to be Soarin’s “First Family”. I’m laughing to myself because after weeks of planning exactly when we need to be at what ride, we end up blessed with a pleasant detour on the first one. Cast member Jason led us into a back entrance for the first flight of the day. This ride was a first for all 10 of us and it was restricted to our extended family so we felt very special. Thank you Jason, it was wonderful. We then enjoyed Nemo’s new ride except when Eden’s Croc got stuck at the end of the moving platform at the exit. It chewed her shoe up a bit and, scared us a lot but she was fine. We hit Figment, then Honey I shrunk the Audience before having a great lunch at Le Cellier. After lunch, we used our fast pass for another flight on Soarin’ and did the Land ride before heading over to Test Track and Mission Space. The Wonders of Life Pavilion was open this time and I had wanted to see “The Making of Me” with our girls for some time. This is a well done, funny, and touching movie on just how children come to be. After Cranium Command it looked like we were not going to be able to make the 5:00 Candle light Processional. We lucked out by catching catching a Friend Ship across the lake just in time for this and to see a double rainbow (with no rain) arch over Space Ship Earth. There we were, smack between two of God’s promises, one represented in the sky, and the other laying in a manger. John O’Hurley (who played J.Peterman of Seinfeld) did a great job as narrator and the music and message was of course wonderful. We had quick supper at the American Pavilion and while my ladies headed for shopping in Japan, I ended up running in to my parents in Germany for a beer followed by pastry, followed by coffee. We camped out on a bench near Norway for a nice visit and a great view of Illuminations before heading home.
We spent Tuesday swimming and hanging out at the Wilderness Lodge. The girls found that the bubbles in hidden springs pool could fill theirs surf shirts up making them look like pumped up girly men. I cooked steaks out on the grill for a late lunch before we headed to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. We got in around 4pm and headed for Splash Mountain. As usual this ride was a blast but our soaking would foreshadow the cool evening precipitation yet to come. We enjoyed munching caramel corn and watching “Wishes” explode around the castle. Our team was a bit less organized this time around, losing and finding each other each other from time to time. While Darlene escorted my nephew Lukas back to the lodge and retrieve dry clothes, Eden, Emma (My niece), and I rode Space Mountain and Astro Orbiters. We watched the Christmas fireworks from Tomorrow Land before eating a late supper at Cosmic Rays. We all met up together for the late parade and it was fantastic with ther rain stopping in time to let the snowflakes fly on Main Street. Darlene, Sydney and I finished the night off by watching the Country Bears last show before heading back home to the Villa’s.
After a late breakfast on Wednesday we headed over to Downtown Disney for some shopping. About an hour was enough for me so I headed over to Saratoga Springs where my parents were staying to lounge pool side until the ladies were done hunting and gathering. We had an early Christmas dinner of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie with everyone back at the Wilderness Lodge.
Thursday morning we headed for Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest was most impressive as a destination and a ride. Most of us went at least twice. We got wet again on Kali Rapids but at least it was hot and sunny this day. After a good and early lunch at Flame Tree BBQ we very much enjoyed the new Nemo production. By mid afternoon my Dad had committed to upgrading his one day ticket to a hopper just to see Fantasmic. He and I headed to the Studio’s while Darlene and the girls went back to Japan for more shopping. We did Tower of Terror together, then I did Rock and Roll Roller Coaster before grabbing a bite to eat. At this time I somehow got cast as a landlord to a defunct movie director in a Streetmosphere production. At one point I had over $8K in fake money as well as several vintage movie making treasures as payment for rent owed me. Somehow in the end I ended up signing a contract to be in an upcoming production and leaving with a plastic rose. It was fun to have been caught up in this mini adventure, even better to have shared this with my Dad. We got our seats for Fantasmic about 50 min early and again marveled at the show. Afterwards we strolled down the amazing streets of the Osbourne lights before heading home on our respective buses.
Friday Morning December first was spent packing. On our way to the airport my Brother In Law Aaron called to let us know that per the internet our flight had been delayed by 2 hours. We took advantage of this by heading to the outlet stores for one last shopping spree. While I was dropping off the rental car I got a frantic call from Darlene. Our plane was not delayed, it is about to board. I rushed to meet them at security, neither we nor our luggage had much chance of making it. In the rush, I never had time to dump the soda cans I still had in my cooler. Despite telling security to keep or discard the whole cooler, the guy took his time removing one can at a time, shaking his head and making an example of me in front of the other passengers. At that point, I knew we weren’t going to make it...but we did.. By the time we got to our gate they were boarding. Sweating and panting, we made it home, luggage in hand.
We arrived at the Beach Club Villa’s in good spirits, checked in, and waited over an hour for our luggage so we could hit storm along bay. Next time we need to carry our swimsuits with us or shlep our luggage ourselves. Had lunch in our room from the marketplace and headed for the pool. It was cool (in the low 70's and breezy) but the girls and I had a great time exploring and using the water slide. We hit the outlet stores and brought back a Giordano’s pizza for a late supper with tired but happy kids. We could see some of Illuminations from our balcony but from the second floor much of it was blocked by a tree. The next morning We surprised the girls with the character breakfast at Cape May. It was nice and fun but pricey for buffet breakfast food. Still worth it for the surprise, the pictures, and the memory. We swam and slid Storm along Bay before walking around the boardwalk in the afternoon. That night Eden and I explored the decorations in Yacht Club lobby and watched Illuminations from bridge between Beach Club and the Boardwalk. It was chilly this night but we enjoyed this time alone together.
On Tuesday we ate breakfast and headed for Disney’s Hilton Head Resort. The day got more cold, gray, and damp with every hour traveled. By the time we got to the resort it was dark, misting, and the low 40's, but we could care less because we were on vacation. We were spoiled with a 2 bedroom villa for the 4 of us so it was great to be able to spread out after 2 nights in the Beach club studio. After we unpacked, I hit the grocery store and Darlene got us settled in. We had clam chowder for supper. The next morning was still cold and gray so Darlene went shopping while the girls and I caught “Blue Crab’s” afternoon magic show and rented our bikes. We all had a late seafood lunch at the “Sea Shack” that was quite good. That evening I brined our turkey in anticipation for the following day. We enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner together and the sun broke through the clouds almost as soon as we finished eating. The girls and I swam for a while before we all biked to the beach. THIS is why we love Hilton Head, biking across the firm beach, overlooking the Atlantic, smelling the sea, and feeling the sunshine. That night we had pumpkin pie for supper and enjoyed singing and goofin’ round the campfire. Friday was more of the same but we ended the day stuffing ourselves with crab legs. Saturday morning we hit some local beach shops before spending our last day of biking on the beach and spotting some dolphins. We had She Crab soup for supper and ended our evening with more of Blue’s magic and storytelling.
Sunday Morning November 26 we packed it all up and headed for the Wilderness Lodge. Holiday traffic added at least an hour to our travel but we did fine. We met up with my Sister In Law Donna’s Family and shared a 2 bedroom Villa. Sydney was very happy to have her best friend and cousin Emma back. This time we carried our bags in ourselves which was no small task. I had made turkey BBQ sandwiches and baked beans for dinner, later we enjoyed the evening pool side. In appreciation to my parents for sharing their lake cottage this summer Darlene and I had treated them to the week at Saratoga Springs (no more availability at the Lodge). They dropped by for a visit before watching the light parade on the lake.
Monday we headed out early for Epcot. It was a beautiful day and we were selected to be Soarin’s “First Family”. I’m laughing to myself because after weeks of planning exactly when we need to be at what ride, we end up blessed with a pleasant detour on the first one. Cast member Jason led us into a back entrance for the first flight of the day. This ride was a first for all 10 of us and it was restricted to our extended family so we felt very special. Thank you Jason, it was wonderful. We then enjoyed Nemo’s new ride except when Eden’s Croc got stuck at the end of the moving platform at the exit. It chewed her shoe up a bit and, scared us a lot but she was fine. We hit Figment, then Honey I shrunk the Audience before having a great lunch at Le Cellier. After lunch, we used our fast pass for another flight on Soarin’ and did the Land ride before heading over to Test Track and Mission Space. The Wonders of Life Pavilion was open this time and I had wanted to see “The Making of Me” with our girls for some time. This is a well done, funny, and touching movie on just how children come to be. After Cranium Command it looked like we were not going to be able to make the 5:00 Candle light Processional. We lucked out by catching catching a Friend Ship across the lake just in time for this and to see a double rainbow (with no rain) arch over Space Ship Earth. There we were, smack between two of God’s promises, one represented in the sky, and the other laying in a manger. John O’Hurley (who played J.Peterman of Seinfeld) did a great job as narrator and the music and message was of course wonderful. We had quick supper at the American Pavilion and while my ladies headed for shopping in Japan, I ended up running in to my parents in Germany for a beer followed by pastry, followed by coffee. We camped out on a bench near Norway for a nice visit and a great view of Illuminations before heading home.
We spent Tuesday swimming and hanging out at the Wilderness Lodge. The girls found that the bubbles in hidden springs pool could fill theirs surf shirts up making them look like pumped up girly men. I cooked steaks out on the grill for a late lunch before we headed to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. We got in around 4pm and headed for Splash Mountain. As usual this ride was a blast but our soaking would foreshadow the cool evening precipitation yet to come. We enjoyed munching caramel corn and watching “Wishes” explode around the castle. Our team was a bit less organized this time around, losing and finding each other each other from time to time. While Darlene escorted my nephew Lukas back to the lodge and retrieve dry clothes, Eden, Emma (My niece), and I rode Space Mountain and Astro Orbiters. We watched the Christmas fireworks from Tomorrow Land before eating a late supper at Cosmic Rays. We all met up together for the late parade and it was fantastic with ther rain stopping in time to let the snowflakes fly on Main Street. Darlene, Sydney and I finished the night off by watching the Country Bears last show before heading back home to the Villa’s.
After a late breakfast on Wednesday we headed over to Downtown Disney for some shopping. About an hour was enough for me so I headed over to Saratoga Springs where my parents were staying to lounge pool side until the ladies were done hunting and gathering. We had an early Christmas dinner of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie with everyone back at the Wilderness Lodge.
Thursday morning we headed for Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest was most impressive as a destination and a ride. Most of us went at least twice. We got wet again on Kali Rapids but at least it was hot and sunny this day. After a good and early lunch at Flame Tree BBQ we very much enjoyed the new Nemo production. By mid afternoon my Dad had committed to upgrading his one day ticket to a hopper just to see Fantasmic. He and I headed to the Studio’s while Darlene and the girls went back to Japan for more shopping. We did Tower of Terror together, then I did Rock and Roll Roller Coaster before grabbing a bite to eat. At this time I somehow got cast as a landlord to a defunct movie director in a Streetmosphere production. At one point I had over $8K in fake money as well as several vintage movie making treasures as payment for rent owed me. Somehow in the end I ended up signing a contract to be in an upcoming production and leaving with a plastic rose. It was fun to have been caught up in this mini adventure, even better to have shared this with my Dad. We got our seats for Fantasmic about 50 min early and again marveled at the show. Afterwards we strolled down the amazing streets of the Osbourne lights before heading home on our respective buses.
Friday Morning December first was spent packing. On our way to the airport my Brother In Law Aaron called to let us know that per the internet our flight had been delayed by 2 hours. We took advantage of this by heading to the outlet stores for one last shopping spree. While I was dropping off the rental car I got a frantic call from Darlene. Our plane was not delayed, it is about to board. I rushed to meet them at security, neither we nor our luggage had much chance of making it. In the rush, I never had time to dump the soda cans I still had in my cooler. Despite telling security to keep or discard the whole cooler, the guy took his time removing one can at a time, shaking his head and making an example of me in front of the other passengers. At that point, I knew we weren’t going to make it...but we did.. By the time we got to our gate they were boarding. Sweating and panting, we made it home, luggage in hand.
