How We Almost Lost Grandpa THREE TIMES!!! 4/29: A New Update--FINALLY!!!

[Bev1016]

I'm in!

Megan!

Sorry about your poor head!

I'll wait patiently!

You're so nice! I'm feeling better, but still not great. I will add to the report tomorrow, I swear!

Why did he do it? Who knows what goes on that mans head? He was bored apparently - so was I, but I didn't go a wanderin' with no means of communication whilst we were waiting on our flight being announced. Of course he never thought to look to check if it had been announced either. Men!

Di x

That must definitely be a guy thing--especially to take off without a phone! I always make sure all of my errands and bathroom trips are done about 30 minutes before we're supposed to board.

 

[Bev1016]

Sorry for the slowness, but I'm finally back!

When you last left our jolly gang, we were arriving in Orlando. In spite of the weather, we didn't get there much later than we had planned.

Most of the time, we end up getting to Orlando way past midnight (it's not planned that way, it just happens), but this time we got there around 6 p.m. And the airport was a ZOO!!! I've never seen it so packed! I guess it was because we were getting close to the holidays, but there were so many people, and we trying to keep our little group together and get to ME. I've been to MCO a few times, but I got very turned around.

We finally made it to the shuttle to get to the other side of the airport. I got on, DH got on, and Grandma got on.

But, before Grandpa could get on, the doors started to close. . . . (I remember it like it was playing in slow motion)

I yelled, "Graaaaandpaaaaa!"
Grandpa was trying to get on, with a panicked look on his face, and then
Grandma heroically blocked the door, so that Grandpa could get on. This woman is probably about half my weight, but she makes things happen!

And so, after almost losing Grandpa TWICE now, we were on our way!

ME took us to our destination, CSR. We checked in, got our room assignment, and were so happy to finally find our room! I stuck the key in the door, and nothing--oh wait, I got our numbers mixed up. So we tried again. We went to the RIGHT room, I stuck my key in the door, and we made it!

We were in Casitas 4, first floor. It was a nice room, but it wasn't one of the new, refurbished ones. It was still surprisingly spacious and accomodating for four adults and a baby.

The original plan was to hit DTD for some Earl O' Sandwich, but the male contingent wanted to rest (DH still wasn't feeling so great), so Grandma and I went to Rix and fetched dinner for the gang. It was good, but PRICY for what we got--our DDP didn't start until the next day.

Once everyone had eaten, I decided to break away and do some exploring, so I walked around the entire lake. I love traveling with family, but I also love taking some time and doing a little exploring on my own. It was dark and cool and very peaceful. I inspected the arcade, but there were no pinball games, so I was disappointed. The pool looked like a lot of fun, and not a lot of people were swimming. I stopped by the concierge desk for some anniversary pins for Grandma and Grandpa, and then headed back.

As I was walking back, I could see so many fireworks--one of the reasons I love WDW so much. I called back to the room to see if anyone wanted to come out and see them, but they were all asleep! So, after a long day of travels, I too retired, excited for a day of adventure tomorrow!

Here are some pics of the CSR lobby (I told you I had pictures!)

I know, they're not the greatest pictures, but there will be pictures of ACTUAL PEOPLE in my next installment--keep reading (please)!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Yay an update!

That Grandpa of yours definately sounds as if he needs a close eye kept on him!!!

Please post more photos of CSR - it's on our list of 'maybes' for our next trip!

Can't wait to hear more!!!

Di x

 

[DisneyJo]

OMG we were so close to meeting especially as you were at CSR too. What a pity you didn't get one of the renovated rooms but hey that's a reason to go back and thank goodness you didn't lose Grandpa again

 

[Bev1016]

Yay an update!

That Grandpa of yours definately sounds as if he needs a close eye kept on him!!!

Please post more photos of CSR - it's on our list of 'maybes' for our next trip!

Can't wait to hear more!!!

Di x

Hi Di!
Sorry I didn't take many resort photos--If you want to see some good ones, I'd check out Jo's trip report. She stayed there with the mom's panel and took some beautiful pictures.

Now that I've stayed at three of the four mods, here are my thoughts: DH and I agreed that CSR is the prettiest of the three (CSR, POR, and POFQ). Another plus is that seems to be very close to all of the parks. The food court was decent (more on that later), and the buses were seldom supercrowded. We weren't in the new rooms, but I thought the old ones were nice and comfortable.

But with that said, I think that once we stop trying out new resorts, we'll go back to POFQ. Everything is very centrally located (pool, bus stop, food court, etc.), and it's just easier to get around. I also love the jazz music playing all of the time.

I know you didn't ask for my opinion, but I gave it anyway

OMG we were so close to meeting especially as you were at CSR too. What a pity you didn't get one of the renovated rooms but hey that's a reason to go back and thank goodness you didn't lose Grandpa again

I know! I only missed you by a couple of days! It's good we only lost Grandpa twice in one day! Stayed tuned for more of Grandpa's scary adventures!

 

[passthepixiedust]

Yay, Bev, great update! Can't wait to hear about the parks!

 

[heaven2dc]

I can't wait to read more! What a shaky start you had - I really hope it gets better The CSR lobby is so pretty!

I was there from 12/13-20 and the first 4 days were by myself - enjoyed the solo time til my daughter, baby & bf arrived on the 17th. The ME line was huge when I arrived - took 35 mins b4 boarding the bus and my daughter said her line was pretty long too. It took 5 1/2 hours to get her luggage delivered to room and the carryon bag only had baby clothes in it so we had to wait til 6 p.m. to go to a park that day.

 

[Bev1016]

Yay, Bev, great update! Can't wait to hear about the parks!

Thanks for reading Tracy! I'll try to get the next post up soon! (And I'm sorry you're not feeling well--colds are gross. )

I can't wait to read more! What a shaky start you had - I really hope it gets better The CSR lobby is so pretty!

I was there from 12/13-20 and the first 4 days were by myself - enjoyed the solo time til my daughter, baby & bf arrived on the 17th. The ME line was huge when I arrived - took 35 mins b4 boarding the bus and my daughter said her line was pretty long too. It took 5 1/2 hours to get her luggage delivered to room and the carryon bag only had baby clothes in it so we had to wait til 6 p.m. to go to a park that day.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts about the parks during that time. I was surprised by the crowds. Sorry about the ME line and the slow luggage delivery--we must have gotten lucky, because we basically walked right on to ME.

Where did you stay?

 

[rentayenta]

Losing grandpa twice in one day is no small task. More pic, more pics!!!!!

 

[Bev1016]

Losing grandpa twice in one day is no small task. More pic, more pics!!!!!

No time for posting, unfortunately, I've been doing taxes. But here's a pic of at the room--more to come ASAP!

 

[MainStMandy]

OMG what a cutie! Loved the last installment.

 

[Bev1016]

OMG what a cutie! Loved the last installment.

Thanks! Another installment is coming shortly!

 

[Bev1016]

OK, it's time to start writing about the parks. But first, a quick note about my weirdness with photos. I'm kind of nervous about the whole "post photos of your loved ones" thing, so I'll probably leave them up for a week or so and then take them down. I know, I'm a little overprotective, so enjoy these lovely pictures while you can!

So we headed out to the bus stop to catch the bus. About 15 buses later, the one to EPCOT finally arrived. One of the greatest things about Grandma and Grandpa is their generosity. They are very giving, especially to their grandchildren and great-chidren. As we were waiting for the bus, Grandma said "We haven't paid for EPCOT. We need to give you some money." She wasn't convinced when I told her it was all paid for.

Here are a few shots of the EPCOT Christmas decor! ( I have no idea who those people are.)

We got there around time for lunch, so we grabbed a stroller and headed toward the Coral Reef for our lunch ressie. Here's a little background before I tell the story:
About a week before the trip, I told DH I was thinking about getting the divers to put up a sign for Grandma and Grandpa's 59th anniversary, and he thought that was a great idea. So I called and spoke to a very nice CM who said it looked like the divers were all booked for that time, but he was going to write our request down anyway. He said he was about 90 percent sure that they would do it.

So when we got to Coral Reef, we had no expectations, because we knew the divers may or may not happen. We had a great view--the first row of booths, and we were all done with our meal and just waiting for dessert. (BTW-- I had heard mixed things about the Coral Reef, but I really liked the entrees. The waiter wasn't the friendliest guy on earth, but he did a good job.)

We were still waiting to order dessert when DH decided needed to be changed. So they left, and the rest of us waited for the waiter.

As the three of us were sitting there, I saw the divers in the water, and was hoping and praying that 1) these were OUR divers, and 2) DH would make it back in time to see it!

I grabbed the video camera (just in case) and watched as the divers started swimming down. I kept pointing them out to Grandma and Grandpa and saying things like "It looks like they're holding something. I wonder what it is." The divers came to the window right in front of us, and unrolled their sign--"Happy 59th Anniversary." I told them they should read the sign (but it was kind of small, so I told them what it said), and everyone around us clapped, and the divers scooped up sand and threw it like confetti. It was really cool, and it's the thing they talk about most from the trip. DH walked in as the divers were swimming away--he missed it all! (But I did tape it.)

As many of you probably know, they stopped doing the divers in 2009. I'm sure there were good reasons for that, but I wish they would reconsider. Those special touches are what makes WDW so special. That's something Grandma and Grandpa will never forget, and it's a shame that this special memory won't be available any more.

As we were leaving the restaurant, Grandpa said "That was great--how much should we pay you for that?"

Wow, this is getting long! I'll leave the rest of the day for another time. But here are a couple more pics around EPCOT:

Stay tuned for the rest of the day and the special surprise we found in our room!

 

[passthepixiedust]

Thanks for reading Tracy! I'll try to get the next post up soon! (And I'm sorry you're not feeling well--colds are gross. )

SO gross! But I am gonna try and go to work tomorrow cause I feel so bad for slacking all week! Thanks for the sympathy!

is so cute I can hardly stand it! He looks like such a happy little guy! Did the trials of teething ease up a little bit?

Grandma and Grandpa sound sweet too! I am glad you were able to arrange the diver, what a nice memory for them! We had one for Keith's cousin's birthday and it was very cool.

Did I hear a rumor on another thread (which shall remain unnamed ) about Seattle? If it becomes true, you'll have to keep me in the know so I can try and arrange a shopping trip or something during your visit! It's only a couple of hours from here! Of course, I could have hallucinated the whole discussion, I could barely think earlier.....

 

[Bev1016]

is so cute I can hardly stand it! He looks like such a happy little guy! Did the trials of teething ease up a little bit?

He's doing much better now. He was getting like four teeth all at once, and it was a bit much for him.

Did I hear a rumor on another thread (which shall remain unnamed ) about Seattle? If it becomes true, you'll have to keep me in the know so I can try and arrange a shopping trip or something during your visit! It's only a couple of hours from here! Of course, I could have hallucinated the whole discussion, I could barely think earlier.....

It was not a hallucination! Seattle was one of my top picks on the vacation short list, but I think it's moved up the list a little bit higher now. I will definitely keep you posted!

 

[passthepixiedust]

He's doing much better now. He was getting like four teeth all at once, and it was a bit much for him.

Ugh, that would be a bit much for anyone! At least it means less to still come in!

It was not a hallucination! Seattle was one of my top picks on the vacation short list, but I think it's moved up the list a little bit higher now. I will definitely keep you posted!

Make sure you do! What are your other options? I don't remember much about that post... seriously, I wasn't sure I really read it!

 

[Bev1016]

Make sure you do! What are your other options? I don't remember much about that post... seriously, I wasn't sure I really read it!

Basically, a lot depends on whether my family comes too. If my nieces come, they want to go to the ocean and also want to swim ALL THE TIME, so their vote would be somewhere warm like San Diego. My dad (and the rest of my family) lived in Washington for a few years, so that doesn't sound very exciting to him. He's ready to go back to WDW! DH is a big Yankees fan, so we were thinking about going to Seattle the week the Yankees play the Mariners.

I didn't realize you were so close! Very cool.

 

[DisneyJo]

Awww how cute is DS and congrats to your Grandparents on their 59th anniversary that's a huge achievement. I'm so pleased you got the divers, I think they stopped it because it was becoming too popular and they couldn't please everyone

 

[rentayenta]

No time for posting, unfortunately, I've been doing taxes. But here's a pic of at the room--more to come ASAP!

He is SO adorable!

 

[Bev1016]

Awww how cute is DS and congrats to your Grandparents on their 59th anniversary that's a huge achievement. I'm so pleased you got the divers, I think they stopped it because it was becoming too popular and they couldn't please everyone

Thanks Jo! 59 years seems so long--I've been married 4 1/2 and I can't remember not being married!

I'd heard the same thing about the divers--that people were calling in wanting signs saying "Congratulations for being such a cool guy" or "Hooray, it's Tuesday" and they just couldn't fulfill all of the requests.

He is SO adorable!

Thanks Jenny! He is pretty cute, but he (along with me) is sick today. Luckily, my MIL is up here helping us out for a couple of days until we all recover.