"Hurry & fly away to Neverland before it's too late!" Trip wrap up page 30

[vamassey1]

Ah, looks like you guys had a great night! I'm pretty sure my hubby would have been the one at the table with the margaritas, too!

We had a blast! Too funny about your DH too. Dennis can be a little uptight and needs some help to relax and even more help to be brave.

I'm reading your trip report now but I'm only on page 7 and lovin' it!!

 

[disneyscrappinjan]

Hey Vanessa, fellow scrapbooker....Your report is great and the family looks great too. I just found out today me and DD are taking a surprise mother/daughter trip Nov 29-Dec 5 . That will make 4 for this year, I am pumped....I will also be there when Lisa is Sept 26th-Oct 4th. I subbed to your report, now keep up the good work....

 

[vamassey1]

Arrival Day Sunday, June 21st

The first thing I want to say is I didn't take near as many pictures as I should have. In the past Dennis and I would take turns taking pictures, but this trip it was just me. Tena only took about 200 pictures the entire time. Bailey took some but I don't know how many. Danielle took 3 pictures on the Magical Express and never used her camera again. I did do the pre-sale on the Photo Pass, I even got the Disney Visa 15% discount and I wish I had gotten more of those pictures taken.

I woke up very early Sunday morning even thought my flight didn't leave until 3:25. We did last minute packing and then Danielle and I headed to 9:30 mass. I checked in with Tena on our way to church. She was flying out of Lafayette, LA via Delta. Her flight left at 11:11 a.m. and she would have a layover in Atlanta. She was scheduled to arrive about 45 minutes before us. I was very hard to sit still in church with the excitement of our trip. But I knew we needed all the blessings we could get before flying. On the way home I called Michelle. She wasn't up before we left but we wouldn't see her again since she had to be at work for 10. She works as a waitress at a local Cajun restaurant. Normally she can't take calls but they weren't open yet. I had her open the door and come meet us outside so we could tell her goodbye. We hugged so tight! When we pulled away she was crying and I was misting up. Of course now she wishes she was coming with us! I felt so bad. But not too bad, she would be in New Orleans that night for the Dane Cook concert with her boyfriend and all her friends.

Back to the house for last minutes packing and a surprise for Danielle. I had put together a goody bag for her. It wasn't anything really great, just some stuff to occupy her at the airport. I've never done this before but got the idea from all the other trip reports. I actually had picked up some stuff for Michelle too.





Next stop was lunch at DeAngleos. This was Dennis' choice, remembr it's Father's Day. The restaurant is right at the end of the street we live on. Dennis got his usual calzone, Danielle a small grilled chicken sensation salad and I had a person pepperoni and portabello mushroom pizza. YUM! I only ate half which is the norm. So after eating we stopped back by the house to drop it off for Dennis to finish later. Here are a few pictures from lunch. As you can see Dennis is just so trilled we are leaving him.



Danielle is trilled!


After our last stop at home we were off to New Orleans. The drive is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from our house. The drive was okay but for some reason I was really tired and slept most of the way. I really could have slept on the plane too but Danielle was too excited and never really shut up.

We were flying Southwest and had a direct flight. We parked in the parking garage and walked over. Check in went okay. Boy was I glad Dennis was there to help with the luggage. Danielle and I each had a really big suitcase, I had one extra really big duffle type bag, a carryon with all our trip information and we each had a backpack. I had one bag weigh in at 49 lbs. Whew that was close. Of course it wasn't all my fault I had so much stuff. Since I was flying Southwest I could bring 2 checked bags per person. Tena had to pay for each bag she brought. About 2 weeks before the trip she brought some stuff for me to pack with my stuff. I had checked in online the day before so we were in boarding section A. There was still plenty of time so we sat outside the security check area with Dennis for a while. Eventually we said our goodbyes and went through security check with only one problem. Danielle's bag was searched due to her mini MMs container with quarters and pennies for the penny presses. As we were walking towards our gate Danielle said she already missed her dad. How sad? We staked out some seats by a tv and a table and set up to wait until it was time to load. I checked in with Tena since she was on her layover in Atlanta, so far so good. Danielle played with her new stuff while we waited.





As it got closer to time to board we popped some gum in our mouths. Danielle has only flown once before on our 2004 trip. She didn't remember flying but she did remember her ears hurting. Finally it was time to load. Danielle headed straight for a window seat on the right side. I think we were about 3 or 4 rows down. Of course the aisle seat was open. A guy eventually took that seat and never said a word to us the entire time, but he did sigh a lot. Danielle talks a lot so yes I did worry about anyone who might sit with us. But he choose that seat. I'm sorry if he felt he was suffering. I counted his sighs as we made our way to Orlando. He had a grand total of 7 sighs.

Here is us on the plane.


Danielle playing with her DS.

 

[vamassey1]

Soon we were landing in Orlando. Flight was less than 2 hours. As soon as we were in the terminal I called Tena. She was already on a bus and almost to Pop. I had told her if we were late to go ahead and get on a bus. I was hoping she would wait for us. We arrived about 45 minutes after her. I knew checking in wouldn't be a problem I had already checked us in online. But the Disney Nazi wanted to be the one to check us in. I'm always the one that makes the reservations and checks us in at the resort. I'm the one that makes the special requests. Tena had no idea what I had asked for so she wouldn't know if we got it. Plus I wanted to be the one to show her my favorite place in the world. Now she would be doing it without me. I wanted to introduce them.

So anyway we heading to Magical Express. This was my first time taking Magical Express. The last time we flew we had to provide our transportation to the resort. I was very excited to being doing this for the first time. Somehow I got turned around but eventually we made it to the desk. Oh what a welcome sight and guess what, there was no line! Check in was a breeze. Soon we headed to our first Disney line.



We were so happy to see this sign.


There was just a few people in front of us waiting to load. In no time at all we were loading. The bus already had quite a few people on it so we had to sit kinda far back. We also had to wait for a while before we left.

Danielle on the bus.


The video screen.


The only pictures Danielle took the whole trip.




While we were waiting Tena called. Of course she was excited because she had just checked us and had everyone's room keys. We were in the 90s section on the 2nd floor. My heart sank. This was not what I had requested at all. I tried not to sound too disappointed but I was. I told her that wasn't what I had asked for. I wanted the 50's section, Tramp building, facing the water on the top floor. She was a real trooper and marched right back to the desk to ask for another room. One thing Tena is good at is pushing for what she wants. I'm a push over. I don't like conflict at all. Tena on the other hand thrives on it. You don't ever want to be on the other side of a customer service desk if she has a bone to pick or a point to make. Sometime this makes me uncomfortable but at other times it can be a bonus. I waited for her to call me back. While I waited my stomach was twisting up. I tried to control the monster and told myself it didn't matter, I was on my way to most Magical Place in the World. My favorite place in the world and that was all that mattered. Tena called back they didn't have what I wanted but they could give us 50s, jukebox, second floor facing a small parking lot. Take it or leave it. I took it. I wanted something new, last trip we stayed in the 80's right next to the 90's pool.

 

[vamassey1]

Finally we were off. The driver said he would make 3 stops. Pop, Caribbean and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Please let it be Pop first! First we stopped at Caribbean, not too bad. I knew it was close to Pop and really hoped Pop was next. We started off again and guess what Pop was next! We arrived at Pop, bypassed the desk and headed straight for our room. Tena and Bailey were waiting in the room for us. The plan was to head to DTD and maybe some swimming after that. Everyone was so excited once we got to the room. I wanted to go to DTD but I was out voted. The girls wanted to eat at the food court then go swimming. We had packed our swim stuff in our carryons. Tena was a little tired and a little overwhelmed. So we headed to the food court for dinner. I controlled my disappointment and just went with the flow. But deep down I knew we should have gone to DTD. We only had time to go again on our departure day and I knew that wasn't enough time to really shop.

I tried to explain what to get and we split up to get our choices. We met back up at a table by a tv in the back corner. I don't remember what Tena and Bailey got but I did take pictures of our food.

I had the fish which was real good.


Danielle had the cheese pizza.
http://

After dinner we hit the store to get the stuff we needed. Danielle got a new lanyard, a pin and an autograph book. Bailey got about the same stuff but she also got a penny press book. I had Danielle bring hers from home. She didn't do this last trip and on our trip in 2006 she only filled it about half way.

Since Bailey was on the trip Danielle would be collecting pennies and pin trading. She has been collecting pins since our 2004 trip but not really trading. She already had 2 full lanyards at home. We spent lost of time trading on this trip.

After shopping we went back to the room to change for swimming. I can't remember why but I took to kids to the petal pool without Tena. She met up with us later. I think this was one of her smoke breaks.

A little background information. When the summer started Danielle still hadn't learned to swim. We had put her in swim lessons but she refussed to put her head under the water. She had even had 2 weeks of swim lessons the first two weeks of June. She would "swim" across the pool without putting her head in the water. Her problem was she couldn't figure out how not to get water up her nose. We tried to show her how to blow air out her nose and how to plug it up. Didn't work. I was headed to a co workers house for a luau party and stopped on the way. She kept insisting she needed googles. I showed her the googles wouldn't prevent air from going up her nose. But guess what was right next to the googles. A nose holder and they were only a dollar. We grabbed one and headed to the party. It was a success! That day she started swimming, jumping in and everything. Before the trip I bought her some googles to go along with her nose plug.

Now I can post the picture of what she looks like swimming and it's not pretty.



See!


Bailey.




After swimming we went back to find our luggage waiting for us. We changed, unpacked and got ready for bed.

Up next our first park day. Epcot!

 

[vamassey1]

Hey Vanessa, fellow scrapbooker....Your report is great and the family looks great too. I just found out today me and DD are taking a surprise mother/daughter trip Nov 29-Dec 5 . That will make 4 for this year, I am pumped....I will also be there when Lisa is Sept 26th-Oct 4th. I subbed to your report, now keep up the good work....

Jan! Thanks for joining in. You're so lucky, so many trips in so short a time. You're going to love your mother-daughter trip. I'm off to check out your PTRs.

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Great update doll, I can totally relate to your anxiety over losing control over the check-in process...guess we're all a bit nuts like that here. We stayed in Pop for our first 2nights and we were in the 50's Jukebox section overlooking the pool

 

[rentayenta]

Great update doll, I can totally relate to your anxiety over losing control over the check-in process...guess we're all a bit nuts like that here. We stayed in Pop for our first 2nights and we were in the 50's Jukebox section overlooking the pool

Anxiety? Me? Never? The loss of control would send me over the edge.

How was the Pop?

 

[cjackearl]

Great gift bag! Danielle looks like she's enjoying it. What's in the little box?

Cute picture of Danielle hugging the ME sign.

Uh oh, I hope some of your wishes start to get taken into consideration soon.

 

[mom2rtk]

Great update doll, I can totally relate to your anxiety over losing control over the check-in process...guess we're all a bit nuts like that here. We stayed in Pop for our first 2nights and we were in the 50's Jukebox section overlooking the pool

That loss of control would drive me nuts too! I think I'm going to pass on that WAY convenient online checkin thing, because I read somewhere that once you do that, they can't change your room if it's not what you requested........ I have asked for 70's building, ground floor, facing the pool. We had that in December and it required the fewest steps back to the room on tired feet at the end of the day!

 

[vamassey1]

Great update doll, I can totally relate to your anxiety over losing control over the check-in process...guess we're all a bit nuts like that here. We stayed in Pop for our first 2nights and we were in the 50's Jukebox section overlooking the pool

Whew! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble with this. We passed the pool many times on the way to our room.

Anxiety? Me? Never? The loss of control would send me over the edge.

How was the Pop?

I had to try real hard to control myself. We loved the Pop but after 3 stays I'm ready to move on.

Great gift bag! Danielle looks like she's enjoying it. What's in the little box?

Cute picture of Danielle hugging the ME sign.

Uh oh, I hope some of your wishes start to get taken into consideration soon.

I think the little box was some Mickey stud earrings I got from Avon for only $4.99. We all three have a pair. This is the first time I did the goody bag and she loved it. I didn't even tell Dennis I was doing it until it was time to give it to her.

I love that picture of Danielle too!

As far as wishes, I'm a people pleaser so it's hard for me to assert what I want, but yes we do some things I wanted.

That loss of control would drive me nuts too! I think I'm going to pass on that WAY convenient online checkin thing, because I read somewhere that once you do that, they can't change your room if it's not what you requested........ I have asked for 70's building, ground floor, facing the pool. We had that in December and it required the fewest steps back to the room on tired feet at the end of the day!

I was really unsure about checking in online, it was still real new when I did it. I don't know if it made a difference in what room we got or not, but they did change. We stayed in the 70s section for our New Years 2006 trip. I was very close to everything.

I don't think I'll get another update up today. I'm heading to a funeral about 3 hours each way.

But up next is Epcot and meltdown number 1.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

Hey Vanessa - Great start!

Thanks for posting the link at DisneyScrappers!

Can't wait to talk my DH into a "girl's only" trip too!




DisneyMissy
Melissa in VA
Mom2Madi

 

[Nutz4Dizney]

I am 34 years old and can't swim without holding my nose or without my precious nose plugs that I bought in Disney in 96.

My son was put in swimming classes at 7 months old and swims without them. That is one thing I made sure to teach him when he was little. DO NOT HOLD YOUR NOSE. He loves his googles though LOL

Zach always gets a new DS game for our trips, a drawing pad (he hates to color but loves to draw-wierd kid I know LOL), colored markers or pens (not really a crayon kid either), any fast schoolwork we can do during our wait (I always take him out of school). We also take a DVD player with movies for the grownups and kid just in case there was ever a delay we have something to do besides when are we leaving questions LOL oh and maybe 4 cars/ small things just in case he finds a friend at the airport that he can play with.

One time we were coming from the Disney cruise had a 12:30 home but a hurricane hit. The captain said anyone with a flight up to 12:00 should change it. I asked the captain if I should change mine at 12:30 he said yes. so I did. $500.00 later and a 5:00 flight we were ready. WELL, do you know what? NOTHING HAPPENED. The hurricane hit and left and we were at the airport at 9:00 am or so maybe even 10:00. SOoooo we had all that time to waste thank the Lord I always carry all that crap with me LOL

Trip report is coming out well.


PS. I have the same earrings LOL

 

[akayek31]

Hey. We stayed at Pop in the 50's section jukebox side on floor two also. We were there in May. I requested 50's or 60's. I love Pop. Did you learn the secret at the laundry mat in the 50's section I can't wait to read more.

 

[DisneyJo]

Great photos, it looks like you all had fun at Karaoke

So glad Tena managed to get a room you were happier with, pity you missed out on DTD though!

 

[vamassey1]

Hey Vanessa - Great start!

Thanks for posting the link at DisneyScrappers!

Can't wait to talk my DH into a "girl's only" trip too!




DisneyMissy
Melissa in VA
Mom2Madi

Melissa! I'm so glad you made it over. Get your daughter in on the plan. Dads can't say no to the girls.

I am 34 years old and can't swim without holding my nose or without my precious nose plugs that I bought in Disney in 96.

My son was put in swimming classes at 7 months old and swims without them. That is one thing I made sure to teach him when he was little. DO NOT HOLD YOUR NOSE. He loves his googles though LOL

Zach always gets a new DS game for our trips, a drawing pad (he hates to color but loves to draw-wierd kid I know LOL), colored markers or pens (not really a crayon kid either), any fast schoolwork we can do during our wait (I always take him out of school). We also take a DVD player with movies for the grownups and kid just in case there was ever a delay we have something to do besides when are we leaving questions LOL oh and maybe 4 cars/ small things just in case he finds a friend at the airport that he can play with.

One time we were coming from the Disney cruise had a 12:30 home but a hurricane hit. The captain said anyone with a flight up to 12:00 should change it. I asked the captain if I should change mine at 12:30 he said yes. so I did. $500.00 later and a 5:00 flight we were ready. WELL, do you know what? NOTHING HAPPENED. The hurricane hit and left and we were at the airport at 9:00 am or so maybe even 10:00. SOoooo we had all that time to waste thank the Lord I always carry all that crap with me LOL

Trip report is coming out well.


PS. I have the same earrings LOL

I hope Danielle can grow out of needed to plug, but for now I'm just trilled she can swim.

The things we do to keep them entertained. *Forshadowing* Wait until I get to my flight back.

Sorry about the hurricane. Living in South Louisiana we deal with the unexpected and almost all the time.

I love my earrings!

Hey. We stayed at Pop in the 50's section jukebox side on floor two also. We were there in May. I requested 50's or 60's. I love Pop. Did you learn the secret at the laundry mat in the 50's section I can't wait to read more.

What secret? Do tell! Lord knows I went in and out of there enough.

Great photos, it looks like you all had fun at Karaoke

So glad Tena managed to get a room you were happier with, pity you missed out on DTD though!

Thanks Jo! We did have a great time. Arrival day had it's ups and downs.

 

[vamassey1]

I sorted my receipts last night in hopes it would help jog my memory some more. I'm also going to be getting Danielle to help fill in some of the blank spots.

 

[akayek31]

Something to do with the dryers. It saves you lots of money

 

[vamassey1]

Something to do with the dryers. It saves you lots of money

Alright spill the beans or at least PM me the secret. I hate not knowing!

 

[vamassey1]

Park Day 1; June 22nd Epcot

The all important "first day in the parks". This can make or break a trip for a new comer. My dilemma for this trip was some limitations. Tena has had 2 neck surgeries and has fused vertebrates. She can't do trill rides. Danielle loves the trill rides. Bailey is game to do anything at least once since she's never been. I don't do round and round. I wanted Tena to enjoy her trip and not just be waiting for us to get off the rides. I thought the shows would be great for her and there are lost of rides she could do. And what is the greatest easy on the body trill ride at Disney? Sorin'! The perfect ride to start with that everyone could do.

Also I didn't take near enough pictures this entire trip but on this day I only took 48! The next day it was up to 98 and the next day up to 156, so it does get better.

I was up before everyone else because frankly it takes me longest to get ready. I had scheduled a wake up call for the girls for 6:50. I wanted to be in the food court for 7:30 and waiting for the bus by 8:15. I had told Bailey to be ready for the wake up call. When the phone rang she shot out of bed to answer it. She was up and moving. We did all make it out of the room and down to the food court by my appointed time. Of course I had to have my favorite Disney breakfast!



Danielle with her breakfast.


Notice I did not get whip cream. I did remember the whip cream the next time.

After breakfast we stopped in the store on our way to the bus. Danielle picked up some mystery pins. This was the neatest thing. Right next to the register was a bunch of packets. Inside was 2 mystery pins and they cost $10. The pins were just okay but were great for trading. I picked up a pouch to hold our tickets and fast passes. Danielle attached hers to her lanyard and put mine on my backpack. Soon we were in line for our first Disney bus. I don't think we waited too long. We arrived well before park opening. On the way to the turnstiles we picked up each girl a Passport. Danielle has 2 of these from past trip, but I thought Bailey might enjoy it and it makes for a great souvenir. Putting the stickers on the pages helped keep the girls entertained until they opened the turnstiles. At 8:45 they opened. My plan was to go get set up for the Soarin' fast pass run. I told the others to meet me inside by the entrance. I wanted to get fast passes and then ride stand by. As soon as we entered we saw Daisey. Of course we had to stop. Danielle had never met Daisy and of course Baily had never met any character. Before our trip my Aunt made us 2 matching shirts. One was pink with Daisy and the other yellow with Minnie. Today we wore the yellow shirts thinking we would meet Minnie in the character connection. And of course instead we see Daisy. She even pointed out our shirts as if to ask "what about me?".







Next up was Stitch. Danielle had no interest in meeting him, but Bailey loves Stitch. I told Tena we were going ahead to get ready for the fast pass run. I again told her what my plan was. Before the rope was dropped they caught back up with us. I told Danielle to go with Tena so I could travel faster. And I once again told her what the plan was. Once the rope dropped I took off, along with everyone else. As we were coming down the stairs we were greeted with this sight.



I hurried to the lines closest to the wall back in the corner. Right before it was my turn here come Tena with the girls. I told them to go wait for me by the entrance. Everything is going great, right? Wrong. When I went to met them they were no where to be seen. I looked around frantically. Then it hit me, they went in. I'm not a line breaker so I wasn't about to go chasing after them. I tried calling Danielle but we both had horrible reception in the building, especially in the line. My plan was crumbling. Our first ride wouldn't be all together. I was upset but then I reminded myself it wasn't the end of the world and I did have fast passes for later. Now what could I do to make good use of my time? A trip the bathroom was first. Then I hurried oer to Innoventions to get a fast pass for Kim Possible. Once I was out of the building I tried calling again. I did get through for just a second and tried to tell them to go ahead and ride. By the time I made it back to the Land they were waiting for me. And no they didn't ride. Meltdown #1. As soon as they were in the line Danielle starting fussing. This wasn't what they were suppose to do, where was I. Tena kept telling her I would catch up. Finally Danielle plopped herself down and refused to move until Tena agreed to get out of line. My child can be very stubborn and she wasn't riding without me. Of course once we all got back together everyone was out of sorts. By that time I was pretty calm. I told them no big deal I had fast passes and we just do something else. Living with the Land would be perfect to calm everyone back down.





http://

http://





Of course Danielle was not happy with Aunt Tena and things only got worse as the the trip progressed. They butted heads the entire trip. After our ride we went outside and Tena up for a smoke break. There is a smoking section right by the bathrooms across from the Land.

Continued in next post.