How to make $3600 on your disney vacation! WE DID!! NEW 9/3*The Epilogue, DONE* p. 54

[horsegirl]

2/12/06-Sunday-Part 8-Writer’s Block and how’s the weather?

Why do people pick a particular time to go on their great journey to the land of mouse? Read all the planning threads and you too will notice many who can only go occasionally, who spend inordinate amounts of time trying to pick the very very best time. The next time I go on a trip, I am going to do no planning and see if DJ sees the wisdom of my obsession and begins to understand that I am not clinically off my rocker, but well, instead just thorough. In fairness, he is very very understanding of me. You see, I am kind of like Lucille Ball. For you older folks, you know how Ricky always found himself at the other end of Lucy’s schemes? That’s me, only I am not a flaming red head, nor as charismatic, nor as funny. However, I do try way too hard in my life to make things happen and make everything perfect, and our vacations, or trips, or whatever they are, present all of us with endless opportunities for lots and lots to go wrong. And like life in general, there are those things that you can control and those you cannot. A trip has so many variables of the things you can control, that I have the need to minimize those. And like many, I love the planning, because of the anticipation. It makes the trip last so much longer.

What are the variables? Well, how many people are at the park. That is a biggie for me. We have purchased 200 acres of land through the years to have plenty of room for us and for all the wildlife that safely roams our fields and woods. It is part of my need to save something on this planet. We like wide open spaces. So July 4th at the MK just isn’t ever going to be a place we see fireworks.

Weather. Maine is really really cold in the winter and the winters are very very long. Our kids can sometimes only go out for 10 or 20 minutes due to the wind chill. It is not healthy for any of us, nor any darn fun. Why don’t you move, you ask? Well, my family is here, and it is important to be near them. We all came home to Maine after literally exploring the world as whippersnappers. So for now we are stuck here. But I suspect at one point when our kids are grown and we aren’t working anymore, we’ll find a milder spot for some of the year.

But folks, I will let you in on a little secret. The cabin my MIL rents on a big, beautiful crystal lake 2 hours away is the entire families favorite vacation spot, yup even more so than Diz. We relax, play, enjoy nature and while we play hard, tubing, and swimming and sipping on the great drinks we like to make, we are able to really enjoy one another, without any distractions. All the kids and adults plan one trip a year together and everyone unanimously picks the lake house. So I suspect Maine will always draw me to it, even if it becomes just for summers, no matter where we end up down the road.

But back to the story, Maine has a long, and sometimes dreadful winter, so we need to get away in the winter. Price. Yup, we don’t chose to spend our money traveling at peak times because we are trying to be fiscally sound, and still have a couple of big splurges a year. Education and social work just do not pay the big big bucks. So we pick times when the airfare, rental cars and hotels are a little less pricey.

So we ended up this year again, in February. Obsessed about the weather, will it rain? Will it be cold? Will we need coats? Will we get to a water park? Will we freeze on Kali River? Why don’t they predict the weather 30 days out? 15 doesn’t appreciably help. Will it, will it, will it? Whatif, whtif, whatif? Do you see how my poor obsessive mind works? I know some of you understand because I spent months on the budget, themepark, transportation and resort boards trying desperately to make it all work. I saw many of you there doing the same thing. Trying to make it perfect.

Now I will tell you, the weather thing, to us Mainers, 50 in February is rootin’tootinwonderwillydoo! It beats 30 below with a wind chill of minus 50, so we went this trip with the expectation that we could handle high 40’s and 50s at night. So I packed the essential one pair of long pants, 2 sweatshirts and light jacket. I did not pack the mittens and hat, folks, because in Maine, you only do that when it is below freezing. That is when the body starts to get cold and the extremities need little snuggly extras to keep ‘em from turning blue. And to us, if the less than tropical climate keeps some folks away, then yup, we’ll take that weather, even if it means that we have goose bumps after getting splashed at well, SPLASH!

So when we woke up on our first true official exciting wonderous day at Walt Disney World, we were not dismayed by the high 40s with drizzle that morning. We had all we needed to be pretty comfortable for a day or two. I was so glad the kids had their blankets. Oh and BTW, we bought them those fleecy Disney themed blankies for 15 bucks at Wallyworld when they were little, and they love them to pieces and have provided security in every new bed they have ever slept on, every long car trip they’ve ever had to endure, and every flight over the earth we have dragged them on, annnnnnnnnd they are still all in one piece. Look in the infant section. They aren’t designer, but they are a suretoplease shower gift.

We headed to OKW, in our toosmalltaxi, with true joy and excitement as the big day began. Our driver was from Haiti and he was a delight. We talked about the state of desperation and political upheaval there-oppression, poverty, suffering. His love of his country was moving, and sad that due to the terrible conditions on this once beautiful island he had to come here. Leaving his family, his friends, his life, his home. We used the opportunity to try to introduce our children to how privileged we are here in America. They undoubtedly won’t understand yet. But DJ and I both hope to instill in them, our social consciousness and values.

We arrive at OKW to very excellent customer service, and as down to earth a gal as I am, I do love getting treated extra special and they did that at the hospitality house. Our kiddies ran to watch the vintage Mickey toons in black and white, whilst beginning their infectious exuberance. Instantly they were given balloons and stickers by the staff. Not a good thing, but well intended. Our dks, having not had enough sleep, are on a non-sugar high because they are going to see the Mick. The balloons are used to bop one another, not meanly, but as a sillywilly game. Their giggles are getting louder. The adorable little child-sized chairs are starting to get tipped over, and Jack starts intentionally letting go of his balloon so it will fly to the ceiling. It took the CMs 4 tries to figure out that he was doing it to get them to retrieve it. He is Stitch after all-impish, devilish, but utterly sweet. I didn’t neurotically try to intervene initially, as I was on vacation and I was not the one who gave them the balloons. But then the good mommy part of me swelled up and I helped then, because I remembered that the CMs weren’t in my life all those times my children sat on balloons to hear the big pops, let them go in the air and screamed bloody murder because they were gone forever, or whacked animals and other children or whatever it was that innocently happened to be in their vicinity. I need to confess something. I am not a perfect parent. Surprised? I doubt it. You know that because you struggle to be one too, right? So in my earlier parenting years, after a birthday party nightmare, when all three of my little hooligans were acting, well, like hooligans, I had a very bad mommy moment. When we got in the car, and I was frustrated, I took my keys and popped each one of their balloons and said “there, no more balloonys.” Huge wails emitted from our car that day and I felt about one inch high.

Back to this moment, here at the hospitality house. I am a better parent now, because I do not want to traumatize my sweeties and I have a few more parenting skills than I did in the earlier years. I do the check-in switch with DJ and he goes and gets Jack’s balloon with Jack’s help and he ties it to the throne pram. Jack also gets placed in his throne, so that his brother and sister can finish their show and we can get to the room and that ride, you know which one…….

I have to admit I feel like the DVC “Welcome home” is a tad bit cheesy, but then I am not a DVC member, so if I were, perhaps I’d feel differently. It didn’t feel like home to me, but it is a very pretty place, and the room, as gazillions of folks have said, is spacious and quite nice. We really missed our patio looking over the pool of the 60’s building at Pop, as we didn’t get a room looking at a pool here. We would never be able to sit outside our room and jump in to get the kids if they start to sink to the bottom, as the balconies at OKW do not allow you to exit from them where we were. So we had to trudge all the stuff and the kiddies to the pool. If you rent two studios, they will not be connecting, and we had to go in between the two rooms with food, drinks, clothes, shoes and everything. OKW was quiet, except there was lots of road construction. This was an endless source of fascination for the kids, and Carson learned a new smell, with his incredibly amazingly good sniffer, tar. This kid has a heightened sense of smell, and never holds back from sharing what it is and how he feels about it. So instead of reminding me about my morning breath, he would talk about the tar each morning. Our bags magically appeared, and we didn’t lose one piece of luggage. Our porter even came back for a special trip with new balloons, after our kids dramatically and predictably popped theirs. They were thrilled, we were not. Can I just say at this particular time in my life I detest balloons in the hands of my children? And please don’t think me a meanie, it is just one more complicating thing that increases the chances of life being less than smooth for us. But I did appreciate the extra step that porter took to please my babies. And he did, please them very much.

We do not take time to settle in our room and zoom to a bus stop to get over to that park, you know the one with all the amazing animals. We had to go through a lot of “Are we there yet? and Is this the bus?” But we didn’t mind, DJ and I were anxious to get there too. We haven’t matured a whole lot more than them in some situations, and this was one of them. Look what we have gone through in order to get a few jollies on these Diz-zie kiddie rides! I am a child. I spend my life trying to hide that from the judges I testify to, the attorneys I joust with in court as an expert witness, the clients I try to heal. Only Dj, my family and our close friends know my true emotional age and it is about 5, folks, maybe 6 or 7 because I love to be scared, and thrilled, and love sweets and characters and all the things that that place has, you know. How old are all of you? What is your true emotional age? Why don’t our bodies reflect our enduring youth, as we age? It is a true cruelty of nature…….

Okay so the bus comes and bam! we find ourselves in the parking lot at AK. Can someone tell me why they can’t have the stroller rental there? I would pay $30 for a double stroller there, instead of the $18 inside the gates. I think they could come up with a system to ensure we didn’t all try to squeeze them in the bus, or in our cars. Would one really fit in there? Would the driver not notice?

As annoying as folding up the stroller is, it contains, our little Stitch. I don’t want him to grow up, I really adore his impishness, but it so complicates things at times. We head out, and we watch Peter Pan and Snow White skipping ahead, stopping, and looking back to make sure they don’t go too far. We are proud of them, they have matured so much from the last time we were here. Have you got that we love our kids?

Carson, who will be 7 soon, has always loved Peter Pan. I am ashamed to think about how many times he has watched it. He has had 2 peter pan costumes because he refuses to stop growing. He is fascinated with pirates, and ships, and unfortunately, sword fighting, because of his love for peter. His imagination has also soared because of it. We named him Carson because the minute we saw him, he was funny. Silly. He still is.

Sky. Well her name is actually Schuyler. Pronounce it like 'skylar', I always have to tell people that. It is Dutch and means ‘scholar”. Our hopes for our girl is that she is seen and appreciated for who she inside, not for her gorgeous exterior. It is, I believe, a traditionally male name, and we saw instantly that she was both a flower and a tom boy, and wanted her to have a name with traits of both. She is Snow White, because luckily for me, she loves animals and nature and has a heart of gold.

Jack. His name is Jackson. I love the name, and the Renaissance man who is his namesake Andrew Jackson, the statesman, architect, gardener, and humitarian who loved someone very different from himself. Stitch, this little creature, who creates a whirlwind all around him, is just like our little Jack.

Everyone has their own reasons for going to Disney. I want to tell you now why going to Diz is so important to us, and why we will try to go frequently and also why that cold weather bore no ill effects on our mood this first day. We were unable to have kids for a very very long time. So long that I am now a relatively old mom, or would qualify as a young grammy, if I had grandkids. It was a very painful and terrible thing to not have children in a world of families. It was also tragic because I once had a little boy, and he was born. He was full term. But he never came home from the hospital. And it was so distressing to me that I eventually changed my profession from the business world to becoming a psychotherapist. I was from a world of chin up and move on with your life. It didn’t work and the years that I grieved were almost like the Dark Ages in Europe, when art and architecture nearly ceased to exist and people just struggled to stay alive. Not having the skills to properly grieve I stuffed my sorrow for years and had wounds that would surface at times. For many who learn how to grieve properly, the pain lessens much quicker. But as the years wore on, and another baby did not come, the loss became sadder for me. That is how we ended up with so many creatures. I tried filling the void in my life with them, and rescuing as many as we comfortably could.

Many years after not being able to start our family, we adopted Carson and Schulyer. It was the happiest day of my life. Nothing will ever compare to it. They were nearly 2 and 1, and luckily as full biological siblings who share the same mother and father they lived together. They had a less than optimal life. I will not say more, and would ask that you not ask me anything, because they need their privacy. After all, they aren’t writing this story I am. I would also ask that you not comment on my loss, because I don’t need that. There are others here that need it more right now.

One year after we were blessed with our two wonderful children, Jack came to us. He had been placed with another family erroneously and it had taken us nearly six months of beaurocratic baloney to get him placed with us and his siblings. We fought hard, not because we wanted or needed more children. Two was enough. We never intended to have three children. They are each a little over a year apart and are a handful. But we made the right decision to keep these kids together as they are crazy about each other and will undoubtedly be friends for their entire lives. They are so fortunate to be able to have each other, and share in their unique journey going through life as adopted children. They are not alone, as sometimes, adopted people feel.

I have long since healed, and I again ask that none of you feel sorry or sad. We have learned so much from our darling, darling children and are very grateful to have them and very fortunate in our life. I would like this story to inspire hope to some of you who may have shared the sadness of childlessness or the loss of your own child.

There are all kinds of families. I could not possibly love my children any more than I do, had they started the world with me and I know DJ feels the same. I also hope that this inspires some of you to consider alternatives if you want to expand your family and can’t for whatever reason. Our children are a great amazing gift.

Their birth family and I exchange a letter and pictures each year and they have expressed their gratitude and relief that these little people are loved and happy. But we are truly blessed. If you look below, you’ll see in my signature that there were many years that we did not go to Florida. This is why. And it is why I was so sad here when I read the end of one particular trip that had the ending it did. I have been blessed or burdened with more sensitivity than I wish to have at times. I often feel other’s pain intensely, whatever type of creature, might be suffering. It has made me a good therapist and a strong advocate for those less fortunate.

I am mostly healed, from my own profound sadness, however when I come in contact with another who exquisitely or not, relays their own loss, I am affected. And sometimes a tiny piece of my own loss pushes its way back to the forefront of my heart. I know that our humanity is what is supposed to lift us above our less than optimal behaviors; to feel compassion, understanding, forgiveness, concern, and make decisions that will spare others experiencing those same feelings. Sometimes our sensitivity is more effective than it is at other times. And sometimes that pain is a little more intense and we push it back to try to not feel. Why is it that our own pain gets in the way of feeling for others sometimes? I could try to answer that, but I won't.

I tried to continue writing a few times in this past week, not addressing our particular situation. The story just wouldn’t go forward. I also did not want to detract from the pain of others, and tried to avoid sharing my own out of respect. But there will always be loss and sadness on this board at any given time, because unfortunately loss is part of life. So waiting for the right time, might be hard.

So I suppose I was unable to move forward on this report without telling you exactly why going to Disney with our kids means so much to us. Sharing joy and fun and laughter is so important to us because we were deprived of it for such a long time and our children, almost, would have never had a chance to go that happy place. All of our lives are richer and more brilliant and more wonderful had we each not shared some miserable fate- our kids, my family, our friends and DJ and I. I will admit that sometimes it is painful to look at children, and see their parents’ features in their beautiful little faces. Or sit in a room full of moms and hear about how lousy their delivery was. They just don’t know how lousy a delivery can really be. And because my kids had a more challenging beginning to their lives than my friends' kids, some days are harder for them at home and school. Some days are harder for me and DJ as parents too. But I said earlier, no one escapes sadness, heartache, and hardship.

But this is why I had so much joy on that cold drizzly day, watching our kids skip towards Animal Kingdom, which was our first big day at the Parks.

I would again ask that we keep this a trip report so please keep comments to that, and so I will get to all the exciting details of EE and the parks in the very next installment. I cannot possibly reply to all of you at this point, but if you look, there is a thread I just opened on the community board, and you’ll find a thread about going gaga over horses and other animals. Look in the family board and you'll see threads about loss, not from me, but from others who have shared similar losses. Did you know you can click on someone’s ID to find the threads they started? I didn’t until just the other day. Feel free to stop there and talk to each other if you want to express something. This is not the place to do it. And I will try to stop by and say hi once in a while, because you have all inspired me with your replies, and generated lots of activity in this gigglywiggly little head of mine. But I can't possibly respond to all of you. Who knew there were so many middle aged minivan driving parents whose kids are rowdy and loud but they love them anyway and BTW, Diz too? There are wonderful people here. I have ‘met’ lots of you! As a professional, I cannot share so much of my life in the community. Thank you for allowing me this forum to write and providing me an inspiring and funny place to hang out, anonymously.

stay tuned for reading about the thrill of the thrill, with more pics, i hope

Part 9 addendum- Go to Page 17, post 255

Part 10- Go to Page 19, post 281

 

[pumba]

thank you for continuing your trip report .......it is always something else to experience Disney thru the eyes of youngsters......but then discovered my hubby and my eyes were those youngsters too......thanks again and anxiously waiting for your fun

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Horsegirl,

Your report is beautiful.

We have been blessed also.

Thanks for sharing.

Patricia

 

[ZZUB]

Why we go to Disney World is the unwritten subtitle to many of the trip reports on this board. Certainly the trip reports that compel us to read on are reports which are textured and layered with the kind of details you have given us. Yeah, I know you don't want us to comment on what you've written and you don't want us to respond. But we're not robots, Horsegirl. Some of us must respond.

Thank you. Thank you for explaining to us why you go to Disney World. Thank you for explaining what the experience means to you and your family. Thank you for putting it in perspective. And thank you for other things, too.

I don't know you personally although having read your trip report and your other postings, I think I've got a good sense of who you are as a person. You and I may have different political viewpoints and even different religious and/or philosophical views of this world we live in. But we share a common love for our families, our children and Disney World. And saving money, too. That makes you my friend.

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

I have no words to describe how your post made me feel.

Wait. I have three words.

Inspiring.

Special.

Thanks.

 

[Towncrier]

Hey, now just wait one minute. We happen to like WDW around July 4th.

In fact, we like crowds so much that we'll be spending our third July 4th at the Happiest (and sometimes most Crowdedest) Place on Earth.

Love your trip report. If I had made $3600 on each and every WDW trip that I've made, I could have retired by now. No such luck.

Your trip reports alude to enjoying WDW through your family. I think that you can safely say that there is a big group of us here on the DIS that is enjoying those trips right along with you. Your fresh point of view is akin to being with a child on their first trip to see WDW. So many things that may have become routine for us is new and exciting for them. And that excitement is contagious. And so is yours. Thanks for sharing your joy with all of us.

 

[momofdbsdc]

Thank you sooo much for your trip report. I am enjoying it sooo much! I can't wait to experience the rest of your Disney trip through the eyes of you and your wonderful family!!!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

my friend

thank you for sharing

see you on the maelstrom...

I wanted you to know I was here and affected by your story...

 

[RNLUVSDISNEY]

You have moved me deeply. So much that I'm turning off my computer now to go spend a little more time with my kids. I would love to see everyone share a little of why they love Diz. You have a special soul. I know you didn't ask for these responses, but it's ok to hear them, b/c we need to say them. Thank you for sharing yourself.

So--how was EE

 

[ead79]

Absolutely beautiful.

 

[Briarmom]

 

[kimmar067]

.... ..only...one...thing to ...say...."rootin’tootinwonderwillydoo"...is that REALLY a word????



As usual, your prose is wonderful....

 

[HaleyB]

Such a beautiful story, sad at points, but beautiful and heartwarming.

Disney is such a strong addiction for me because we know that there are so many kindred souls in the parks. Sure there are the parents that need a time out, but if you look past them you see so many parents in awe and adoration of their children. So many parents playing and making great memories with their families. So many small acts of kindness and generosity, even among strangers. Disney brings out the best in me, in my children, and even in Mr. Silly. It brings out the best in a lot of people.

I think I am right there with you at an emotional age of 5, or maybe 7 on some days. I am kinda glad my body didn't stay that age though, cause I was a short kid and there is no way I would have been tall enough to ride the coasters.

 

[krismom]

I am emotionally about 7 years old.... young enough to want to go to WDW and old enough to appreciate it! Alas, physically, I am 36.... young enough to experience WDW with my kids and old enough to pay for it!

Love the report, thanks ever so much.

 

[horsegirl]

Part 9-2/12/06 – Sunday- Day one- This Soft Opening Thing- I Like It- or One of us is a thrill seeker

I read a lot of debates about which park to go to first, which days are best, what date is a 5 or an 8, according to Tourguide Mike. Seeing as the Magic Kingdom is the most childlike of all the parks, it has always been my favorite to go to first. I am transported right back to that first time we stepped into that park when I was a girl with my own parents. So, I stuggled, deciding which park to go to first. I made lists for days based on which days had early EMH, which ones had late EMH. I read a very important line from those same guides that convinced me that none of the variables collectively appreciably altered your chances of avoiding long lines if you got to the park early and followed a general plan. So I was content that we start at Animal Kingdom, and not worry about all that information that I had done to create our the ideal game plan. Given this might be the only chance to ride Expedition Everest, we had to come here first.

Excitement was mixed with a strange anxiety. I knew that we were not the only ones who got that phone call alerting to Everest being opened until 2 today. So because we were arriving at about 9:15, I felt we needed to zoom over there. I pulled the kids away from the talking garbage can whom they were enchanted with. I quickly calculated which line was indeed the fastest. I never pick the right one and this day it was no different. I stood there watching people who had the same line position in other lines, disappearing past the strollers, toward the right. You know toward Asia. Some of them were running. The people in front of us didn’t have their tickets. I did not judge them. It could easily have been me. Once through, having little self control, I ran to the stroller rental, because the only chance of getting on this ride was to get all three kids on wheels and follow the entire crowd over there. NOW!

I know what I look like when I get this feeling- my mother. I walk like her and rush like her. It is not a bad thing, but I have watched her do this my whole life and try as I have to be a little different, I can’t change imprinting. I did notice the smiling and relaxed families, that either did not care about a brand new roller coaster, did not get the phone call, or did not obsess about the grand opening of this epic new ride. Or perhaps their personality allows them to take things as they come, figuring they will eventually see things, but are not stressed if they do not see it all in one trip. I realize that many people never research a trip like some of us here. You know, those non-Dis-ers who have a life? DJ does not get angry with me. He knows I cannot contain my obsessive need to make it all work. He knows I want to chill. He also knows how much I want to try this thing. I am not usually on the cutting edge of trends, but for some reason, I wanted to be in on the early life of this undoubtedly awesome big thrill ride. I fell for the hype.

I made attempts to be safe while navigating the stroller through the winding paths. I tried to stop when the kids wanted to see an animal, or specific details, DJ kept up, bless his heart. It is funny to watch him not only run but also run while pushing a stroller. He is tall, and bit gangly, and I mean this in the most loving way. We all have idiosyncracies that endear us to others, right? Lest you were there that day, and think it was we that pushed into you, I must say it was not us. Know that we never intrude on peoples’ space, cut them off, or hit them in the heels with our carts. We will not compromise common courtesy over our needs to get somewhere fast, now matter how anxious we are to get there. This includes driving on highways. We will not be behind you, even if you are driving slowly in the left hand passing land, honking and flashing our lights. It is just not our way.

The whole time we were whooshing through to Asia, our kids were asking “Where is Mickey?” “We want to go on the rides” and saying “This is not Mickey Mouse”. I figured out at this moment, that to them, Mickey Mouse is the Magic Kingdom only. They are not happy, a little let down. I have to tell you I sort of already knew this, and will admit that I don’t usually put my needs ahead of the kids, but I did. I broke down because of the hype and went straight to the ride I wanted to go on. I did it along with DJ’s input, but he in these situations, allows me to be the itinerant. He is happy to follow me anywhere, on our trips. He is no less than a true gem of a human being; very patient, understanding and wise. So who says Diz is for our children. It is for us too, right? And I just wanted to get a fast pass so we would have a chance to get on once during our trip. And then I would hand the day over to the kids, and do the things that they wanted to do, and stop when they wanted to stop.

When we got to Asia, it was about 9:30. It was as crowded as well, Asia, if you are in a city. People were there and no where else in the park, for the most part. It was a happening place, and the excitement in everyone traveled from person and person like electricity. You could see the big smiles of the people who were walking in the opposite direction. They got on and loved it, it was very apparent. All the hype was probably warranted. Even DJ looked excited. We could not find the fast pass kiosk, as there were so many people. We asked, waited in line, and had 5 fastpasses in our hand for just before 11 o’clock. I was happy that lots of people besides us would still get a chance to ride this brand new ride. We decided to try to get on without them so that if we liked it we could go a second time later. We only had to wait about 10-15 minutes, which was surprising as there were so many people here.

We had little Jack who sadly was going to have to be left off this first ride at Diz. How awful for him, that he would have to miss our first big adventurous ride. I know that at this point even if he did meet the height requirement, that he would not like this ride yet. Our Stitch is far from daring. Carson is not particularly brave either, and decided to sit it out. Sky? She is our thrill seeker, of the highest order. As a wee one, who was 40 ¼” last trip and made it onto Splash, she insisted on going no less than half a dozen times down that flume. Carson had gone once, and called it good. She stood there watching the trains careening up and down that “frosty” peak and was literally squealing with anticipation. DJ insisted she and I go first, I tried to offer it to him, but he insisted. He always puts others’ needs before his own, to a fault, always. But I took his generosity at this moment.

Sky and I ran into the line, grabbed a baby switch pass, and zipped through the waiting line so fast, we did not get a chance to take in all the fabulous details. The imagineers really got the theming on this one right. The minutia is worth waiting in line. You will see something new each time. I think it is the best lead up to any ride I have ever been on, and they tell an amazing story of the Yeti; the documents, pictures, books, expedition gear, the giant footprint, the statues. It is all really amazing and so fun. I wish I was an imagineer, I really, really do. Imagine traveling to the Himilayas to research this one? I want a job like that at this point in my life.

I was worried my little pixie was going to be terrified. But, I knew this was only a 5 minute ride and we would be off quickly. I had seen the pictures of the Yeti. Man, that creature is hideous. Really. It is. I thought it was very scary and the mommy conscience sprung forth whispering “Don’t take her, she is only 5, don’t do this.” I ignored the voices. She wanted to go. Kids do not always know what is good for them. I was putting my trust that Disney would not compromise my child’s safety. I figured with my professional skills, I could repair any psychic trauma I inflicted upon her by ignoring my conservative mommy voice. We handed our two precious tickets to the CM, who gave Sky the height requirement, and sadly she passed, because she insists on growing, just like her brother, despite my pleas for her to stay little for me.

I love this child’s spirit. She is beautiful, and I can say that, because I had nothing to do with it. Electric blue eyes, dirty blond wavy long hair, the most cherubic face. People stop and tell us she is beautiful alot. They are right but I want her not to focus on this in her life. Her inner beauty is what is so fantastic about this girl. She is smart, loving, sweet, funny and utterly good. She is naughty and outspoken and as stubborn as any mule you’ll meet. She is exuberant and her laugh is infectious. She is, in short, just so much fun. She is the perfect traveling companion to go on this first expedition with. Lucky, lucky me. This moment exceeds my hopes of what this trip could ever possibly be.

We are put into line 4. I am so relieved to not be in standing where the footprints read 1. The front row is just too close to the danger. I know if anything goes wrong, it does not matter what row we are in. But I gain a slight sense of comfort from a few people being in front of us. I get this strange feeling in my body. I stiffen and crazy thoughts are running through my head. You see, I am a chicken; a complete and total scaredy cat. I consider pulling Sky back, and give her a few warnings about the Yeti, and the dark, and the drop- all 80 feet of it, and the backwards motion. Oh man, I am scaring myself to death. I do not want Sky to pick up on my fear, just like the airplane, so I manage a smile for her, a reassuring smile. An ‘it’s okay, no worries’ smile.

I want you to know I am as genuine as a person can get. I detest lying or deceit. I understand it, but I will not utter a lie intentionally, if I can help it. Never. It is why I will not stretch the truth here, in this story, to make it more interesting. I want to be a role model for my children. I am writing this for them; to give them one day, when they are older, so that they can understand the depth of my love for them and to chronicle that their happy memories of childhood were real.

So I muster a smile and give her a squeeze, and tell her, I am there to keep her safe, and I am, so I am being honest. I consider pulling her away and running to let DJ take her. He is not the ninny I am. He is brave and stoic and loves thrill rides. He could test the waters and tell me it’s not that bad. But before I can flee, we are locked in by several folks behind us, and we get moved into our car.

I look back and start making eye contact with some people behind me. They share the same mixture of joy, fear and anticipation. We all smile at each other knowingly. There are clearly some people who are terrified like me. I can see it in their eyes. Sky is by far the smallest in the area, but I saw a few kids her size leaving and asking to go again. You know, ”AWESOME, DAD, CAN WE DO IT AGAIN? Without anymore time, the train lurches forward and we head toward the first turn, we start going up and not going fast at all. You can hear that roller coaster clicking. I love that sound. I dread that sound. We start the initial ascent to the peak.

It is truly terrifying to me, this wimp who is completely afraid of heights. I made myself go up a mast of a sailboat, one hundred feet in the air over San Francisco bay back in my late 20’s when I sailed for a living. I am tenacious and work feverishly to overcome limitations and obstacles. My fear of heights has been one of those neuroses that I do not like having control over me. So at various times I have confronted it head on. So it was, that day on San Fran bay, the Golden gate bridge in sight. I am even afraid to go over long, tall bridges. Some of you must know what I am talking about. A wake had come while I was at the top of the skinny pole and caused a horrendous pendulum affect. The mast moved with great wide swings, as the swell, went under the boat. I could not breathe and began hyperventilating, my body went stiff and I clung like a koala bear to the metal and began talking myself through the fear. Of course what I feared was the halyard breaking and dropping me to my death.

This is what was going through my mind on the top of this monstrous mountain ride. Isn’t that what scares us? The car not staying on the track? It goes slowly up, so you can savor the view, I suppose. Sky is loving it, loving it! She is squealing and laughing, and I am very, very quiet. This is what I saw and tried to focus on when we neared the top.

My terror was nearly at its peak here because I know what is coming. I love it and hate it at the same time and several times I murmur under my breath “why did you do this, why?!!?!” But Sky only sees my forced, calm mommy smile. I can play poker. I can hide things when I need to. But I don’t play poker much, because I am more comfortable truly being who I am--As painful as that sometimes is for me in life. But there are moments when total honesty is not appropriate and this was one of them. Poker face on…….

I did not take notes on this ride, as you might guess. I did not take a note the entire trip. DJ took the pictures when he rode several times during the trip. I definitely did not hold the camcorder, but there is an unbelievable video of a guy out there. Find his video if you want absolute veracity with regards to the details of this ride. I am sure my recount of this will not be accurate, so please know that I was too busy being terrified and trying to keep my child feeling safe, every time I rode this ride, so forgive that the sequence is a little off.

This is where you meet the end of the track, and unfortunately we did not capture the hawk, or owl, or whatever bird of prey it is that pops out and hovers over the broken tracks for a moment at the top. Is it a vulture?

This is right before you head backwards and do that amazing track switch.

This is in the tunnel going backwards.

It was terrifying and I let out a blood curdling scream, which was okay, because Sky and I both scream, only she is thrilled and thinks I am too. This does not scare her when mommy screams on a ride. Others are screaming too. The pressure of going backwards pushes you hard, and it is an uncomfortable feeling. You have no idea what will happen. Going backwards in the dark and blasting down hills is just the ultimate in fear. I read the spoilers, so I knew. But the sensations are so insanely against what is safe human motion, that even though you know it is going to happen, you aren’t adequately prepared. I closed my eyes in the dark. Is that not dumb? I squeezed my eyes shut and held Sky’s hand gently and used a death claw with the other. My feet were pushing very hard on the floor, like I do when I ride in a car with my mother, who is nothing less than a terrible driver. We come out of the dark but not before encountering that Yeti.

The ride slows and you see the shadow on the cave wall. It is brilliant foreshadowing. You see him break the track and a hear his beastly cry. Then he appears, very large, and very hideous. Maybe he is a she, the Yeti mom. I don’t know. I can see Sky. Her face has changed. She is not enjoying this anymore. I think this is where the big drop comes, but maybe it was earlier. I am not sure because each time I rode this ride in the future, I focused on the other passengers sitting next to me and I was shrieking at the top of my lungs. Survival is a very powerful and primitive instinct.

The drop is sickening. I hate the sensation, but feel an incredible high when we reach the bottom and speed around that turn. You can see the families watching here, if you keep your eyes open. I forced myself to do this. Sky is a bit fragile, I can feel it across the seat, and in moments, we slow and pull into the station. Ecstasy! I have met the proverbial beast head on and survived. The car did not derail. My heart did not stop, but almost. The adrenaline is really pulsing. I am also a little wobbly.

I look over and Sky is crying, not hysterically, but in a whimpering, honest sort of way. All my joy drains out of me. I have made the wrong decision. I pick her up and cuddle her. She tells me she hates the Yeti, and I don’t correct her and tell her hate is not a nice word. She has every right to. The thing will surely haunt many a child in their dreams if they focus on it too long. I am ashamed of my selfishness. She and I make our way and search through the mass of people in the gift shop. I scan and see all kinds of things I want to buy, a stuffed yeti backpark, a yeti snowglobe, but we keep moving forward to find our boys. We meet up very quickly despite the incredibly large crowd. We are so happy to see each other. Sky takes a moment and watches what she just encountered. DJ mentions they did not wait that long. The screams come in waves every few minutes. Jack is getting antsy. Carson is regretting not going. He was given the option to go first. He is curious now and ready to try. DJ, in his understated way, is clearly wanting to go too. So Jack, Sky and I watch them head off for a trek of their own, hoping to catch them for a moment on the way up or down. There are only two spots to see your person, and both are hard due to speed and distance. And as our big men slip away through the crowd and disappear. Jack is very unhappy. I have to bribe him with a bag of sour gummy worms to sit in the carriage for just a few more minutes. He adores his father and is most anxious that his family is separated again. As I stand there, with two of our children, sharing their gummy worms with other waiting children, Sky turns and smiles and jumps up and down and says. “AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN!”

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

AGAIN! AGAIN! AGAIN! Wonderful again!

 

[5boyz]

OH MY GOD!!!! Are you sure you were not a writer in another life!!!! That was terrific. I am going to get my 15 yro to read it as he is a huge thrill seeker and I think he will love it, the ride too!!! Keep going, oh yeah and by the way have you told you yet about the other $1600. I forget!!!! LOL!!!

 

[momofdbsdc]

Again again, again.....please!!! I can't wait for our turn in May to see the Yeti!
Thank you again!

Your children will absolutely cherish this journal someday!

 

[mickeymousemom]

Wonderful

Magical

Funny

Inspiring


Your trip reports have made me laugh and cry and remind me just how special my family and kids are. You are truly a talented writer. I can't wait to read more...

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

Thank you.

THANK YOU.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mel.