How Disney would have been cheaper...

[2gr8DisneyKids]

So DH had a trip to Italy for work and I wanted to take the kids on a short trip. Last year we did Disney for $1,500 including park tickets! I was hoping to do the same this year (it was the end of the AP's we had gotten the year before) and could not get it below $1,800.

So, I took the kids to The Great Escape Lodge and waterpark in Lake George, NY for $350 for 2 nights, plus gas and food.

We had a great time playing at the waterpark, etc.

Then we came home on Thursday (last week).

And today (Monday 6/27) and DS has bedbugs! I wondered about some bites I saw the second morning we were there and I guess one (or more) traveled home!

We have since tossed the mattress and box spring, bed frame, and carpet. And the stuffed animals he slept with at the hotel (and how we figure they traveled) and have mega-washed all sheets.

So now we need a new bed, mattress, box spring, carpet, and stuffed animals!

I know bed bugs can even happen at Disney, but I have never had a problem and am now spending the money I would have on Disney and had more fun than getting rid of bugs! EEK!

 

[mbb]

Ugh.

Don't forget to toss the suitcases too...sorry to be the bearer of bad news of another expense

Did you call GWL?

What a yucky way to end up a mini vacation...hugs, calamine lotion, and new stuffies for your son

 

[drag n' fly]

Bed bugs are a really expensive headache. Believe me I know. They do happen at Disney we got ours from POR. Fortunately we were able to solve a lot of our problems by leaving eveything in a freezing garage in February for 2 weeks.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

We did toss the suitcase and the headboard and the sheets in the end as well. Too grossed out!

Now DS is sleeping in the guest room and have been washing all dirty laundry and tossing the laundry bags as well.

We also indoor sprayed the trim on the bedroom and are ordering a "trap" to see if the bugs are still in the room before we put anything tempting back in.

Sadly for DS one of the stuffies was from FAO in NYC. I could order it (paying with Pay Pal) but had to ship it to my parents in Ohio so he will not get him until July 12.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

And I did call Great Escape (not part of the GWL chain) Lodge and left a message with the GM asking him to call me back and telling him all the details.

Do not expect much from them, but would like to hope that he will treat the room before others stay there.

 

[4 love of disney]

I work as a museum curator and unfortunately bugs being donated into the collection is a fact of life. There are two methods that work really well steaming of freezing.

Steaming
I place objects into a clear plastic bag and use my shark steamer getting into all the crevices. You can literally see the bugs dropping off.

Freezing
This is the best practice. Place objects in plastic bags. I like clear so I can see it worked. If the object will fit place in your deep freeze for 24 hours. Bring out let it slowly thaw then repeat. You can vacum off any bugs who are attached. Fortunately in Canada we can use our unheated garages and outbuildings during a cold winter spell and it will work for large pieces.

I have also experimented with lice shampoo and flea spray.

Hope your next trip goes a whole lot better.

 

[Disney_Mama]

I'm so sorry for you. That is my biggest fear. I won't let the kids or DH touch anything or bring the bags into the room till I have checked the beds.
Hope you get it under controll and don't have to spend to much more $$ Good luck.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Thanks everyone!

We basically quarantined DS's room and he has been sleeping in the basement guest room. We have seen 2 additional dead bugs over the week and continue to spray after we find a dead one and check everyday for evidence of them in the house, in and beyond DS's room.

I will never NOT look for them before we unpack again!