I was at WDW 12/10 to 12/19...see post #35 for the last update.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I am so happy and so stressed all at the same time. I am more unprepared for this trip than any other Disney trip ever and this is not the trip to be unprepared for since we are taking Corey's mom with us.

Doggie Boarding - Confirmed
ADR's - Confirmed after they told us one was cancelled that was really just put under the wrong name.
ECV rental - Confirmed
SUV rental - Confirmed
Hotel room info - printed
Gas and Food Gift Cards - gathered
Pin collection - sorted and packed
Family Gift Backpacks - mostly done, but not complete
Matching shirts - mostly done, still need to do one for our AK day and my MVMCP shirt
Itinerary - basic one hammed out
Day by Day Park Touring Itinerary - not done...I still have 3 days to hammer out a flow for.

Decorations for scooter basket
Craft Foam Signs - done
Bells strings - done
Lights - done
Batteries - done
Laminated Paper Signs: Not done - graphics created, but not printed or laminated yet

Household stuff
Mail hold - done
Talk to neighbor about taking our holiday deliveries, if any - not done
Refresh alarm sensor batteries - not done
clean out fridge - not done
Buy dog food - not done
Cut up treats for the pet resort - not done
Count out doggie meds - not done
Print out doggie care sheet - not done

Stuff that can only happen tomorrow
Set up 4 litter pans on tarp
board the dogs
get the rental suv
decorate the suv
pack the suv
Take the tickets & credit cards out of the safe

OMG, and there is more, but this should give you an idea of my current state of

I can't believe this has gotten so far behind. There just are not enough hours in the day sometimes.

I am looking forward to 5:30pm and I am dreading it all at the same time. I have a lot to do in the next 24 hours.

Luckily, I do all of this planning and freak out, but I do know that once I am on the road, barring any unforseen circumstances, it's all about relaxation. For now, it's all about feeling like I need to barf. lol

 

[OrlandoMike]

I swear one of these days I'm going to meet you at the airport, shread all of your spread sheets, and force you to tour by the seat of your pants!

You act like it's your first trip to Disney World!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I would have to have you charged with assault with a deadly shredder!

OMG, I know. We just don't do the stageshows and that is one of the few things that MIL has requested that we do, because she loves them and because frankly, she isn't up to doing a whole lot of the rides. The weather is a factor because Corey and her mom are both cold natured creatures. Her mom is going to be cooler sitting on the scooter because she won't be as active. Then add to that the whole family coming to join us at MVMCP and the disaster that it has been the last two times we tried it and the fact that SIL has decided to take our BIL to the freakin' Jag's game that afternoon and then bring him down to join us at the MVMCP and add to that the fact that BIL's wife may have a cancerous mass under her clavicle that is being biopsied on Thursday before the party and one day before she is supposed to come join Corey and her mom for dinner at Raglan Road while I go to the MouseFest Pin-a-Palooza Meet over at POR, well, you can see that there are more issues this time than usual. On top of all of this, I have had to work out special dietary arrangements for MIL's needs and more stuff behind the scenes, it's just crazy.

April, I promise in April, I will fly by the seat of my pants. In April I will be solo. I won't make a single ADR. I will just go. Really. I mean it. I think.

 

[OrlandoMike]

April, I promise in April, I will fly by the seat of my pants. In April I will be solo. I won't make a single ADR. I will just go. Really. I mean it. I think.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I swear one of these days I'm going to meet you at the airport, shread all of your spread sheets, and force you to tour by the seat of your pants!

You act like it's your first trip to Disney World!

Now those are fightin' words!
I think you and my DH must secretly be related. Plain heads, strong desire to make the planners fly by the seat of their pants, I see similarities here.

Lindy, huge holiday hugs to you and Corey! Have a magical trip!!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We are almost there aren't we. I still have alot to do. We leave Saturday morning at 5:30am to drive down. DH says to me tonight, I wonder how we will manage to do all the parks in 9 days, WTH, we have done all 4 parks in 2 days . I have been planning this trip since Aug 2007, I think we are ready, I know I am and it will be kinda bitter sweet, since mom is no longer with me, she was looking forward to it as much as the kids But I know she is with us in spirit.

Suzanne

 

[MousekaMaddi]

have fun!!! Be well!!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Lindy, huge holiday hugs to you and Corey! Have a magical trip!!

Hugs right back at ya'! I know this will be an amazing trip. I have been planning this for over a year, how could it not be?!?!

We are almost there aren't we. I still have alot to do. We leave Saturday morning at 5:30am to drive down. DH says to me tonight, I wonder how we will manage to do all the parks in 9 days, WTH, we have done all 4 parks in 2 days . I have been planning this trip since Aug 2007, I think we are ready, I know I am and it will be kinda bitter sweet, since mom is no longer with me, she was looking forward to it as much as the kids But I know she is with us in spirit.

Suzanne

I really hope we get a chance to meet at WDW this year. I know that you will have an awesome trip too with your family. I hope you have a moment somewhere where you get a chance to send her a balloon and think of her in the much happier place that she is today.

have fun!!! Be well!!

We will have fun! I can't wait!

Corey is replacing all of the alarm sensor batteries. We have the rental SUV, they gave us the bigger one for the same price as the smaller one, since the smaller one needed an oil change and we were going on a long trip. We put the Mickey decorations on the rental car along with the Rudolph nose & antlers. I still have to put the lime green Mickey Antenna Topper on. We have scooter decorations done and gathered for loading along with all of the blankets & the meds/bathroom necessities bag has been filled, pins and the major important info backpack need to be loaded along with MIL's trip shirts and Chip & Dale hoodie. The SUV has the luggage, beverages, Christmas presents, and more already crammed inside.

We have the doggie stuff ready to take to PetsHotel. We will put out all of the extra cat boxes and cat food after we get back from boarding the dogs. We are then going to set out for Lake City, FL. We decided not to drive the whole way in one day, so that we can stop in Ocala and take Corey's Grandma to lunch tomorrow. Then we will go over and pick up MIL and drive over to WDW!

Since we will be at CR, I doubt that I will take my laptop. Thank God for a computer in the room!

 

[OrlandoMike]

Are ya comming down I-75?

Keep an eye out for that KFC with the buffet!

Cant beat that! $4.95 all you can eat chicken!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I really hope we get a chance to meet at WDW this year. I know that you will have an awesome trip too with your family. I hope you have a moment somewhere where you get a chance to send her a balloon and think of her in the much happier place that she is today.

That would be nice. I am meeting another Dis'er probably on Saturday afternoon or Sunday. I am sure I will probably see you at MVMCP and we have dinner at LTT at 6pm, so I will keep an eye out for you. I might be able to get at least one LGMH ready to put on my backpack.

We are going to send mom a Mickey balloon, since he was her favorite. She is no longer in pain and that make me feel better.

Suzanne

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We are here! Everything is in the rooms. It looks like a baggage bomb exploded in our room. MIL just took her insulin, so we are about to go try out Contempo Cafe for dinner. Then, it's time to decorate the scooters with bells, lights, and signs! I am really hoping the weather cooperates tomorrow.

I am really excited to finally be here for our big MIL spoiling blowout Disney trip!

 

[zeitzeuge]

I hope you have a wonderful time, which I'm sure you will.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Thursday 10:30am update...

Weather is clearing, it was a rough start this morning, but seems someone is not keeping up with the "schedule".

 

[OrlandoMike]

Then, it's time to decorate the scooters with bells, lights, and signs!

I hope all that stuff is "Rainy day parade" ready...the weather has taken a turn for the worse!

 

[hematite153]

Are ya comming down I-75?

Keep an eye out for that KFC with the buffet!

Cant beat that! $4.95 all you can eat chicken!

Really? Where?

We've never come via I-75, but, it could happen someday. Plus, there's the issue of my chicken allergy...but, my DW would enjoy it.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Last night we were up later than either of us wanted, but we got unpacked and prepared for our day at Epcot. Scooters were both blinged out with signs, bells and lights. Pins were loaded onto lanyards. Shirts were selected for wearing to the parks. It was all set and I was in bed by 1:30am.

Wow, this was a different sort of park touring day for sure.

I was up at 7:11am. We didn't manage to get Corey and her mom up, showered, dressed, fed, and on Disney transportation until almost noon. Yes, we were rained on until about 3:00pm or so. Yes, my socks were still wet when we got back to the room a little bit ago. Yes, my MIL is slower than Christmas. Honestly, I had no idea, well actually, neither of us had any idea that her health and stamina had gotten to this point.

On the positive side, we did get to ride Soarin'. It was the only ride we were able to work in today. I did manage to get the Goofy Gingerbread House pin that came out today and was lucky enough to manage to sneak over to the American pavillion in time to get Chef Lothar Neumaier to sign the pin. We really enjoyed our lunch at the Rose & Crown. Thankfully, the rain stopped while we dined. Marlee Matlin at the CP is a Do Not Miss! OMG, she was so freakin awesome. I enjoyed CP way more this time that I did back when Edward James Olmos did it back in 2003. We did not stay for IllumiNations. MIL was freezing cold and still a bit damp from the earlier rains.

Corey is in MIL's room attaching the MK sign to the front of her basket and putting in a fresh set of batteries into the Christmas lights around her basket. Tomorrow is our day to wear the yellow gold shirts with Mickey dragging home his Christmas tree. Corey and her mom hated their breakfast from Contempo Cafe. I thought it was ok, but they are wanting something different. I think they will be trying out the Wave. I am seriously considering going on my own to MK early and letting them come join me. We shall see. Corey is so screwed right now. She has been running back and forth between us all day. I am fine. Her mom, well, she needs all of the assistance that she can get.

It's all good though. I had a great day other than worrying about Corey kicking someone's butt for walking in front of her mom's scooter with no warning. But, that's another story. lol

 

[hematite153]

I was up at 7:11am. We didn't manage to get Corey and her mom up, showered, dressed, fed, and on Disney transportation until almost noon.

Yikes!!!

That doesn't sound good.

It's all good though. I had a great day other than worrying about Corey kicking someone's butt for walking in front of her mom's scooter with no warning. But, that's another story. lol

Yeah, I couldn't get over how many people do this until we discovered that our very bright 6 year old nephew just couldn't seem to understand that he had to pay attention to the path of the ECV and w/c in our party. So, if someone who's travelling with them all day can't get it, how can I expect the general public to get it? (Granted, the majority of adults have drivers licenses and therefore ought to know that a motorized vehicle can't stop on a dime. So, I've really only found my way to forgiving the little kids who step in front of us.)

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I slept in longer than intended this morning. I was up at 8:30 and out the door after a quick shower just before 9am. I got thought baggage check ok, but the security guard had opened my front backpack pouch while I was opening the camera and pin bags. I thought to myself, "Wow, I could have lost my ticket out of the little blue holder, if I had not caught the open flap issue when I did." I get to the turnstile and there is no ticket inside the blue holder.

I freaked out, checked every pocket, & flap of the backpack and my wallet. No ticket. I called Corey to check the room. No ticket. So, I went back to the room and looked the room over to make sure for myself that I had not let it slip out in the room yesterday. No ticket. I called lost and found and after 20 minutes on hold gave up. I thought maybe I had lost it at Epcot in the FP machine and maybe I just missed it. I decided that I would just buy an AP to make up for it, but when I went outside of the room to reclaim my scooter, there it was on the deck of the scooter. Mr. Security guard had indeed "helped" me to lose the ticket, thankfully, it was only temporary, but it did cost me about an hour and a half of fun.

Corey and her mom had breakfast at the Wave, which was much better than Contempo Cafe. We met up at MK just after noon. I had a blast enjoying Main Street during my time alone. I got a chance to enjoy the brass band, the Dapper Dans, and the Main Street Trolley parade. After they joined me, we went to lunch at LTT, which was very good. We did Mickey's Philharmagic, checked out ToonTown, Monster's INC Laugh Floor Comedy Club, and the Haunted Mansion. That was all that we were able to work in. I left at 5pm and they are on their way back here to the room now. I am going over to POR for the pin trader meet that is a part of MouseFest here in a few. Corey and her mom are meeting her sister and BIL for dinner at Raglan Road later this evening.

Tomorrow is our day to go to DHS. MIL wants to see Beauty & the Beast and The Voyage of the Little Mermaid. I hope that we can work it in being that she poops out so easily.

Despite the lack of stuff accomplished, I am still having a great time. It's just a very different vacation experience than what I am used to when it comes to WDW.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

It sounds like you're having a good time in spite of the normal delays associated with traveling with others. I am really sorry I won't get to meet you. I totally LUV the idea of lights on the scooters -- very seasonal!

 

[OrlandoMike]

Doesn't you pin lanyard have a small folder at the bottom of it to hold your tickets/fastpasses?

Hmmm Seems like someone needs to do a little more shopping today!

Glad to see the weather has cleared today!