How did a trip that start out so well end so bad??? Updated 8/17 post 173

[KRCMOM]

PS - Your children are adorable!

 

[ccgirl]

Oh heck no. That would have been teh end. I would have walked away and just been done with the lot of them. Seeing as I have a disabled brother this kind of crap BURNS ME UP. You have no idea what people with ACTUAL disablities go through, you just see the few perks that they get. Ever stop to think that perk might be the only EASY thing that person gets?? Sorry... my BP is boiling now. I know its not you, but I would have punched her.

You can imagine mine as I was standing there. Sorry about your brother.

ccgirl,
OMG I would have said the exact same thing. Our son is blessed with Aspergers and I hate even getting him a GAC card because people always glared at us and make comments since he looks like every other 9 year old boy. Except when he gets boxed in by people and they intrude into his personal space which causes him extreme distress and he will have a huge melt down and of course people always get out of the way then but he is all embarrassed at that point and just wants to go back to the hotel room where he can "hide" (this happened all the time on his first trip when he was 6) so we have gotten him a GAC card since so that he can BE the wonderful little boy he is and enjoy his favorite place on earth and the idea that someone fakes a disability just to cut in line makes me see red.

Thank you for standing up for all of those who need/who children need the GAC card and for teaching your daughter respect of others she is so lucky she has your example to follow rather then your SILs.

Thanks. You brought tears to my eyes. I really am trying to teach her so she can be a productive adult when she grows up. Thanks for saying that. Made my day.

I just came across your trip report and WOW. First I will say I don't understand how some people (like your in-laws) are blessed with amazing grandchildren and then are so ungrateful, rude and hurtful. Personally, my MIL was only my MIL at my wedding - that was the last time I saw her. She died right after our honeymoon. She was WONDERFUL grandmother to her other grandkids, and my husband and I will forever be crushed that we never had her for our children. FIL died when my oldest was 4 - equally wonderful. My own beloved mom, who was soulmates with my two oldest, died when they were 5 and 3. I was seven months pregnant with my third. Utterly devasating. I now have my dad, who loves my kids and is great when he is with them, but it is too busy running around with his latest girlfriend in his brand new Corvette and shacking up at my parents' vacation home (at 78 years old) to bother a lot with them. My kids are now 9, 7 and 3...

Not to make this about me...just makes me SOOOOO angry to read about grandparents like your MIL/FIL. My eyes literally filled with tears when you said your FIL has called your daughter chubby and compares her to your niece, etc. And mortified about what he said about her in the dress. Your MIL's constant crocodile tears...could you BE more manipulative and self-involved?

It also hurts me that they don't seem to consider you. What does DH think of all this? Has he ever spoken up in the midst of all this? I'm not going after him, don't take offense - I just hope that you aren't the only one dealing with all of it directly - well, at least when your politeness wears off and you snap, that is...

I think the comfort you can take out of this is that you CLEARLY put your kids first, even sacrificing your own sanity for this vacation - and it really seems they had a magical time as a result. You shielded them a lot more than you probably think you did. I'm just sorry you didn't have the wonderful time you deserved!

OMG! I am so sorry for the loss you have been thru in your life. I can't even imagine. I am blessed that my mom watches my children as I work full time. The bond she and my DD have is truly amazing. WHen she passes it is going to be more than terrible. Can't even think about it. My DH feels bad. He keeps saying he doesn't know what he did to be looked down on. I keep telling him it's because they know we are so put together and his other brothers and my SiL are just out of control. Maybe they are trying to look out for their kids? DOn't know...I just keep trying to say I am better off that I don't want my children growing up with their poor values. Still hurts though. He doesn't like confrontation so he hasn't said anything. No ....I take that back. He did say somethign when we invited them over for Easter and they said they were going out to a restaurant alone then went to my BiL/SiL. THey said he was just jealous that he makes it up and they don't play favorites. So...things will NEVER change. Don't know why I keep trying. Thanks for the kind compliments and I KNOW we will have a GREAT time in December.

PS - Your children are adorable!

Thanks for saying that. SO kind of you.

 

[cassie1982]

Wow... I am hooked on you rTR. Your DD is very mature for her age. Im impressed with the way she just pretended not to hear that comment your FIL made and they way she told your Dne that RnRc was not big deal so she wouldnt be upset. She seems lika a really good girl!

so off topic.. I just read your TR today. Do you pack each outfit seperately in the plastic bags? That is such a good idea. I know by the end of our trips the suitcases are all bunched together and messed up. So can you tell me more about what you do with that? Like do you pack extra outfits in ziplocks too? I woulda never thought to do that but I think I will for this trip.

 

[ccgirl]

Wow... I am hooked on you rTR. Your DD is very mature for her age. Im impressed with the way she just pretended not to hear that comment your FIL made and they way she told your Dne that RnRc was not big deal so she wouldnt be upset. She seems lika a really good girl!

so off topic.. I just read your TR today. Do you pack each outfit seperately in the plastic bags? That is such a good idea. I know by the end of our trips the suitcases are all bunched together and messed up. So can you tell me more about what you do with that? Like do you pack extra outfits in ziplocks too? I woulda never thought to do that but I think I will for this trip.

Thanks so much for the compliment. Treating people how you want to be treated is very big in our house.

I started packing like that a couple of years ago and absolutely LOVE it!!! Each gallon bag has one complete outfit including undies, hair accessories etc. I write on the bag what day the park is for. That way my DD does not get confused with what to wear and my DD or my DH can help get my DS ready and not send him out with pj's. Bathing suits go in one bag total; I bring 2 for each child. Pajamas all go in one bag as well. I actually wash the clothes and pack they away clean as I can't stand the thought of having to laundry when I get back from vacation. The bags also serve to protect the clothes if something spills in or on luggage. When I go to the parks; I bring one gallon bag labelled extra clothes. That serves to keep the clothes dry should it rain. My DH used to think I was crazy but now he really likes it. Just makes everything so much easier and organized. When I unpack; the bags go right in the drawer - I don't take the clothes out. Let me know if you have other questions; I would be happy to help.

Thanks again for the compliment I work so hard trying to get her to be respectful and feel like sometimes others in the family try to sabotage that with the it's all about "ME" mentality.

 

[ccgirl]

Okay...so I am going to start writing this. I may have to break it into two installments.

So...the plan was to meet my DSiL, DBiL, DNie, and DNeph at the entrance to Epcot at 10am so they could use our GAD fast passes. We dilly dallied the morning and stopped at the Boardwalk Bakery for breakfast. My DH was freaking out because we were going to be late. I, very immaturely said, "good then they will know what it fels like I am not rushing to eat my breakfast." THey did call and I told them we would be there. We were just finishing up breakfast than had to walk from the International Gateway to the front entrance. I packed the stroller the night before and I was so excited I remembered the pearl carriages for the surprise pick a pearl for my DD. So my Dni didn't feel left out; I bought one for her too and was going to pay for her to get a pearl. I'm crazy like that. Anyway, we get there and they all give licenses. The CM was super nice. We got a voucher for my DD to get the hat figurine with the pins.

Anyway...my DD wanted to do Spaceship Earth again but the others wanted to do something else. I forget what we went to do...Oh...Test Track. My in laws were meeting us later. We did child swap to get on Test Track. I had the photopass so I volunteered to get their Test Track picture put on my card. Yes....that is SUCKER I have written on my forehead. Anyway; we then go to club cool. We head over to Finding Nemo and The Land. It is now time for lunch so we eat at Sunshine Seasons again. I think my MiL and FiL have showed up by now. So...we eat then MiL and FiL decide they want to do Test Track with their grand daughters. I don't remember how it went. I think my SiL and myself waited with our sons. Then, we went on again with the girls and our husbands as the in laws waited with our sons. I just remember my son crying his eyes out when I returned. She said he was crying because she yelled at him for running around. Um...yeah..he's two. I'm going to post pictures at the end of this thread in the hopes of getting it written. Anway....we go to get FP's for Soarin. THey are all out of regular ones so we get the GAD. Now...remember...the MiL and FiL weren't there in the beginning of the day. Supposively, they were not coming to a park today. Anyway, I figure if we do child swap with the fast passes they can go on. My FiL starts yelling at me that is illegal. Apparently, nothing my SiL did was "illegal". I said fine don't go on then I don't really care. Oh...I forgot when I put my card in to get the GAD fastpass a guy came up and yelled at me telling me there were no more fastpasses. I very nicely said that I had a GAD fastpass that even when the regular fastpasses were out I could still get one. He still yelled at me stating it wasn't fair and why was I so special...he was going to find a CM to get him a GAD fastpass too. Oh....those poor CM's. So, we child swap. Child swap here still takes a very long time. I really didn't even want to go on since we had already been with our friends in the beginning of the week. Everyone went first and I went last; like usual. WHen I got done my FiL wasn't around because he took my Dne on the Land boat ride because he didn't want to stand around. By now it was getting late and we still hadn't been to the countries. I was getting very frustrated so I said I would meet up with them. My DNiece ends up coming with us. My DD had been wanting to do Kim Possible the whole week. So, we did that. The mission ended up being in France. THey started the mission and wouldn't you know my DS picks now to have a fit. My DH went with them and I had to walk my DS around. He was the one strapped in the carriage screaming and squirming to get out. You might remember hearing him even if you weren't in WDW. Anyway, my phone starts to ring...where are you? I am in ???? Where is my Daughter? She is with my DH doing Kim Possible. Where is that? I don't know exactly, call his cell phone...they tried and couldn't find him. DSiL now starts to cry. SHe knows someone took her daughter because she is so beautiful. Bit@$ get a grip...you are way too full of yourself! Oohhh...I am getting out of hand already. I hate to leave you in suspencse but they are locking up work so I have to go. I will try to write later if not Monday. In the meantime, you can imagine how the rest of the night went.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

Oh, the drama! Poor you having to deal with all of that.

 

[starnightstarsky2000]

your DSil cracks me up I would be laughing at her at this point. Am sorry your DS picked now to act up and you aren't getting to enjoy the countries I am hoping in the next session you will tell us you were able to find time to go and do them. Expectantly the pick a pearl I have done that every year we have gone its my favorite activity and my main souvenir from the world.

 

[francis6306]

I cannot stop reading this... even though I wanna drive to your SIL/MIL/FIL's houses and punch them in the faces.

Really??? Her daughter is so beautiful!? I'm about to get In-Law-Tourettes... and these aren't even MY in-laws.

 

[ccgirl]

So...in my haste to write an update I got it all wrong. I knew I was missing something as I wrote it. Okay...so right after Sunshine Seasons they all wanted to go back to the BW and swim in the pool. We had (DH, Me, DD, DS) had ressies at Garden Grill at 4pm that we were very much looking forward to as we had never eaten there. I expressed to my DH that I didn't think we would make it back for the ressie. He thought we would. Anyway, I reluctantly go back to the hotel with them and go to our room to get dressed. Do you think SiL brought anything to swim in for her children? NOPE!!! But...she remembered her itty bitty bikini. Anyway....I gave her swim diapers for her son. Her DD6 is so tiny (she doesn't feed her because it's all about how you look) actually wore my DS2's swim shorts/shirt. Yup...they were a size 2T and my 6 year old niece fit in them with room to spare. Anyway, we went to the pool and swam. Do you think we made it back to the Garden Grill?? Nope because that would have been rude to make my DNie and DNep stop swimming as they were having so much fun. I cannot tell you how much this burned me up!!!! At this point I didn't even want to go back to Epcot but we did. Oh the joy!!! NOT! BTW, I did ask the lifeguard if they could swim there and he said yes. I really wish they said no. When I get more time I will update about the rest of our night at Epcot and our awful time at MCO. Yup...even the flight home was awful!

 

[DisneyTiger]

Ok, this is so depressing. I am so glad you are going back. I just keep telling myself that. This trip is sounding just aweful. It is like a Soap Opera! Where did these people come from?? And I thought I had inlaw problems. I think I'll stick with my crazies and you can keep yours. Seriously though, you are so nice and patient. I would have so torn up those GAD passes in her face!!!

 

[dsnycrzy]

Although I hate that you and your family had to endure this torture, I am glad to know I am not the only one with crazy people in my family. The fact that the kids had no swim wear but she remembered hers, shows her parenting skills What were the kids suppose to do? Watch mommy swim? She's a nut case.

 

[luckylady]

Wow...just wow your SIL sure is a winner isn't she. What is she teaching her DD about food. I'm also happy you are going back, at a better time IMO with all the Christmas things up. I know your going to have a wonderful time. Just don't tell the family.

 

[ccgirl]

Soo...I really need to finish this up. We all went back to my room and changed to head back to Epcot. We were supposed to do the pick a pearl thing and I wanted to eat in Japan since we missed our ressie for The Garden Grill (the one place my DH really wanted to eat).

Our last night at the World
When we first got in the International Gateway I got my DD her ear figurine with the pins. THe in laws were mad because they didn't want to stop. I let them know they didn't need to but I was stopping as I was not missing out on another thing on my vacation. Well...my DD flipped over the figurine. She absolutely LOVED it and didn't want to spend her money on anything else. DNiece cried because she wanted it. Once again; I was told how unfair it was that my DD got it. They told the CM they wanted to buy one. The CM said it was not for sale it was for those that volunteered. Well...my DSiL complained very loudly how they shouldn't have somethign that can't be sold to everyone. Ohh....she is raising such a SNOWFLAKE. Mind you...I told them all about the volunteering but they didn't want to do it.

Well...I messed up my earlier installment and this is when we did Kim Possible. The night is all so jumbled from my anger and disappointment. It ended up we never got back to Japan so never did the pick a pearl. So glad I never told my DD about it so she wasn't disappointed. We still had TS credits left since we didn't eat at Garden Grill. So...where did we end up eating? None other than the American Pavillion. I was steaming mad. They let us trade the TS credits for QS credits but this is my least favorite place to eat. While my DH was inside getting us somethign to eat Illuminations goes off and he misses the whole thing!

It's EMH now so the inlaws have to sadly leave since they did not stay on property. MY DD has been itching to do Maelstrom again. Originally, my DH just wanted to go back to the room. I said no way we were finishing right. I had packed the night before so there was nothing left to do. When we got to Maelstrom; we just had to show our room key. The last time we were there for EMH we had wrist bands. What did our in laws do??? You guessed it; they tried to sneak in but were caught. Of course my Dniece drops to the ground about how unfair it is they can't go and we can. The WONDERFUL CM (my favorite of the trip) said that was the benefits of staying in the park. Next time; her mommy and daddy should stay in the park. He said that because once again my DSiL was yelling about how unfair it was. Anyway, we happily went on just the 4 of us and it was no wait! We actually went on twice in a row. Then it was off to Mexico. This is where my DS almost made me pee my pants. He LOVED this ride. He was in the best mood even though it was really late now. We went once (no line again) and when it was time to go off - he looked at the CM, held up his index finger and very loudly said, "ONE MORE TIME PEEZE". Oh...we laughed, as did the CM, but we went around one more time as there was no line and we were the only ones in the boat anyway. I let my DD buy a gift for her BFF at the gift shop here. Then it was back to the hotel. I cried when I unpacked the stroller and saw the pearl carriages for the pick a pearl we never did. My DH felt bad as this was the second time we went to WDW with his family and the second time it ended up with me crying. THERE WILL BE NO THIRD!!!

The kids fell right asleep. Of course; they fell asleep on the bus. Anyway...we get them to the room and to bed. ME was picking us up at 7am the next morning.

There was even chaos the morning we left....
The next morning I wake up around 5am and get everything ready. Get the kids up and all that good stuff. It was not a good morning. My DH is yelling about something - I don't even remember now. He goes down to settle the bill as we had charged some stuff to the room and we had our Disney Visa Rewards card. Our boarding passes were slipped under the door. I said I would meet him in the gift shop as I wanted to get a souvie. He comes in yelling the bus was already there. So...we leave without getting anything. Anyway....we get on the bus. Everyone was looking at us. Yes...we were "that" family that had just had enough. I asked my DH how much we owed after using the Disney Rewards card and he said he forgot to use it. What?!?!?!? The card expires the end of December and there is $100 on it that will just go to waste. We agreed we needed a couple of years off from Disney. We get to the airport in plenty of time. I packed way too many carry ons...we each had one. The security lines at MCO were out of control...they really need to do something about this. I get our boarding passes out they slipped under the door and there isn't one for DS2. If you remember way back...when we originally took the bus he wasn't on the reservation for some reason but they would be sure to add him for our way back. Apparently, they never did. Shame on me for not double checking either. DH knew I had enough and had to go back to the SW desk to get a boarding pass for my son. I stayed with my kids. DS pitches yet another fit and security comes over to make sure we are okay. Dh comes back and we go to security again. The lines were even worse. Finally....we were ushered to another line. Our usual is I will go thru first then my DS, my DD and my DH. I get thru okay. As my DS is going thru the woman in the next line is yelling..."help me someone help me.." and is holding up what looked to be her father obviously unconscious. The woman that got thru behind them and myself were yelling to lay him down flat. TSA just stood there totally oblivious. You would think that perhaps they should be trained as first responders???? At this point, the woman starts to do CPR. They close the security lines and my DD and DH are on the other side and can't see what is going on. I go over to try to help her as I was a trained EMT and my DS decides to go in the opposite direction. I could not leave my DS2 wandering around. I felt so awful I could not help. We were both yelling at the idiot TSA agents just standing around for the AED. They all had dumfounded looks on their faces. I went right up to one guy and told him they had to get the paddles. He told me to back off. THese TSA agents are really too full of themselves for their own good. Finally, one of them calls for a supervisor. Not the AED but a supervisor. I felt so helpless. I couldn't let a stranger watch my son and there was no way he would sit beside me as I gave CPR. I asked the TSA if I could send my son back thru security to my DH as I was a trained EMT and needed to help give CPR. THey said no. More TSA agents came and put up a wall to give this man privacy, while hiding their stupidity. THe AED came 11 minutes later. 11 minutes...really. As you all know 11 minutes is a long time for someone in cardiac arrest. They should have the AED located right at the security checkpoints since so many people go thru there.

They finally let the lines open and my DH and DD were sent thru. By then, paramedics had arrived. I explained the situation to my DH and just started crying. My DD, God love her...started praying for the man and his family....ohhh..I am crying writing this. To this day; I don't know what the ultimate fate of that man was. I told my DH if we ever came back to WDW and MCO again it would be too soon.

So...we get home happy as can be. What to my wondering eyes should appear a week later but a pin to use by December 2010. We must be crazy because we say how we always talked about seeing Christmas in WDW. We explained to my DD that mommy and daddy would not be able to give her Christmas gifts but Santa would still bring his one gift. She agreed it would be okay so I booked. Originally, it was 3 days with a 40% off pin at AsMO and then we were staying 1 week in an off site timeshare. Free dining was extended to our dates so we switched to that instead of the pin. We are actually really looking forward to this trip. IT's like sweet redemption or something. We WILL BE doing pick a pearl in Japan. I was hoping to get ressies at Garden Grill but there are none to be had. I think that is due to the CP so I am waiting for them to go on sale 8/26 in the hopes some ressies would switch to that so I can get a ressie. Plus, now we can use the $100 Visa Rewards card. I'm going to use it towards the balance of our trip when we have to pay 45 days out in October so there will be no forgetting using it this time.

Come see my PTR for that trip (link in my signature). I have an amazing trip planned and am totally excited to go. I plan to take notes on that trip so that TR will be more cohesive and not jump around so much. I think part of the reason the current TR jumps around is, quite frankly, the in laws made me temporarily insane and I may have blocked out parts that were simply too traumatizing.

 

[heathers4um]

I am going to your PTR now! You deserve this so much!!!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Wow...what an ending!
I am so happy you have decided to got to WDW and experience yourselves without the extended family. I'm sure that trip will lead to an entirely different trip report!

 

[AprilRenee]

I was telling my DH about your trip and he wanted to read it too. So as he's reading we're about to go to the final installment and he goes, "So does it read: I stabbed my MIL and FIL in the neck and left them in a Disney Bathroom."? LOL!!!
We're both appalled at your in-laws!!

 

[ccgirl]

I am going to your PTR now! You deserve this so much!!!

Thanks so much. I think that's why I'm doing the "special" things like Discovery Cove and the Richard Petty ride along. I want to make sure I am left with happy memories of WDW.

Wow...what an ending!
I am so happy you have decided to got to WDW and experience yourselves without the extended family. I'm sure that trip will lead to an entirely different trip report!

Seriously...we couldn't even get on the plane without chaos. I am so hoping the next trip is better. It can't be much worse; right?

I was telling my DH about your trip and he wanted to read it too. So as he's reading we're about to go to the final installment and he goes, "So does it read: I stabbed my MIL and FIL in the neck and left them in a Disney Bathroom."? LOL!!!
We're both appalled at your in-laws!!

Too funny!!!! I think I had that dream though. Yeah...I get the prize for in laws. And to think; I am still with him after 20 years. Must be true love.

 

[TyRy]

OMG - what an ending to the trip..I can't believe not one TSA agent knew what you were talking about or even seemed to acknowledge that you could help. Add that as another reason I hate flying!

Really hope the next vacation will be all happiness!

 

[ccgirl]

OMG - what an ending to the trip..I can't believe not one TSA agent knew what you were talking about or even seemed to acknowledge that you could help. Add that as another reason I hate flying!

Really hope the next vacation will be all happiness!

We kept saying, "can this get any worse?" and it did so I'm not going to say that anymore. I am hoping people will be cheering with my next TR.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

OMG! When I first saw the title of your TR I thought you had to be exagerating. I am sorry to hear you were not. I am traumatized by what you had to go through I don't even know where to start. I am also horrified what you inlaws go away with because of the whining of DN. I am glad you get a do over. You definitely deserve one. I hope that someday you will be able to look back on this and laugh and remember you did have some fun times when the outlaws were not around.