sorul82?
<font color=red>I have an alibi<br><font color=lim
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2006
- Messages
- 6,884
Before I begin, let me just say that this trip report will be like none of my other TR's in that it has a beginning and an ending. 
I know, I know......I'll finish those other two.....sometime. I felt I needed to get this quick one written since my brain has just turned 37 and is quickly deteriorating.
First, a fast intro:
Me: 37, Disney lover
DH: 34 (I hate these next 6 weeks cause it makes me look like such a criminal) Anyhow, DH, Disney DS10: Ditto
DD8: Ditto
DS8: Ditto
So how on God's green earth did we find ourselves going to WDW for 4 days over New Year's????
This is long, but stick with me......the shortened version doesn't make sense. Besides, the boards are slow; what else do you have to read?
Well, it all started around this time last year when we were abducted near the DVC booth in DTD. And, our children's was school being converted to year round; meaning that they would have 4 "track outs" (3+ week vacations) throughout the year plus other holidays. We found ourselves in one of those circular arguments: might as well buy DVC since we will be vacationing several times per year; might as well vacation several times per year since we will be DVC owners....
So, we have our 160 points, but when shall we go? The first track out was already scheduled for free dining, but not using points (although we ended up adding two AKV days at the end). The next track out approaches (Nov. 10-Dec. 5), but work was so busy that I can't find a good date plus holiday prep, etc. In addition, DH's work was rather slow (he is partnered with his dad) so $$ was a little tight. Oh, and we were planning a west coast visit in late Feb. So at this point, trotting off the FL for a week "weren't too smart." However, it was gnawing at me that we couldn't take advantage of this school break. Each day of their track out gnaws more and more til I can't take it anymore! I start calling the DVC to check avail. 
We could make a quick weekend trip. 
The days tick away, and they were back in school, but I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat; well that last part isn't true. Around Dec. 7, my mom called to tell me that she would need another back surgery, but this time it was the biggie. She could either go Dec. 19 or Jan. 2. She chose Jan so as not to "ruin everyone's Christmas." Her words, not mine. She would be in the hospital at least a week, and then maybe rehab, and her recovery would be 6-12 months. 
This scared the crap out of me. I'm sure ya'll can imagine. I'll try not to cry, you try not either.... my mom is 67. Her mother died at 67. My grandmother was in the hospital from a stroke. She called for help getting to the bathroom, but no one came. She got up to go on her own, fell and hit her head, she died before my mom could get to the hospital. My grandmother drank and smoked heavily which I assume led to the stroke. My mom does neither, but still this is all I could think about. I knew I would need to stay with my mom in the hospital and however long after.
Ok, I'll let you take a break. But don't be long. Seriously, do come back; it will get juicy, really, ok I'll tease you with a few installment titles:
One Night in Bangkok
Guests Behaving Badly; Really, Really, Badly
And More Guests Behaving Badly: The Loud Children are finally allowed to say the word, "Stupid"
Encounters With the Dream Team
We Finally Rode that Darn Dumbo!
See, who couldn't come back for that?
I know, I know......I'll finish those other two.....sometime. I felt I needed to get this quick one written since my brain has just turned 37 and is quickly deteriorating. First, a fast intro:
Me: 37, Disney lover
DH: 34 (I hate these next 6 weeks cause it makes me look like such a criminal) Anyhow, DH, Disney DS10: Ditto
DD8: Ditto
DS8: Ditto
So how on God's green earth did we find ourselves going to WDW for 4 days over New Year's????
This is long, but stick with me......the shortened version doesn't make sense. Besides, the boards are slow; what else do you have to read?
Well, it all started around this time last year when we were abducted near the DVC booth in DTD. And, our children's was school being converted to year round; meaning that they would have 4 "track outs" (3+ week vacations) throughout the year plus other holidays. We found ourselves in one of those circular arguments: might as well buy DVC since we will be vacationing several times per year; might as well vacation several times per year since we will be DVC owners....
So, we have our 160 points, but when shall we go? The first track out was already scheduled for free dining, but not using points (although we ended up adding two AKV days at the end). The next track out approaches (Nov. 10-Dec. 5), but work was so busy that I can't find a good date plus holiday prep, etc. In addition, DH's work was rather slow (he is partnered with his dad) so $$ was a little tight. Oh, and we were planning a west coast visit in late Feb. So at this point, trotting off the FL for a week "weren't too smart." However, it was gnawing at me that we couldn't take advantage of this school break. Each day of their track out gnaws more and more til I can't take it anymore! I start calling the DVC to check avail. We could make a quick weekend trip. The days tick away, and they were back in school, but I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat; well that last part isn't true. Around Dec. 7, my mom called to tell me that she would need another back surgery, but this time it was the biggie. She could either go Dec. 19 or Jan. 2. She chose Jan so as not to "ruin everyone's Christmas." Her words, not mine. She would be in the hospital at least a week, and then maybe rehab, and her recovery would be 6-12 months. This scared the crap out of me. I'm sure ya'll can imagine. I'll try not to cry, you try not either.... my mom is 67. Her mother died at 67. My grandmother was in the hospital from a stroke. She called for help getting to the bathroom, but no one came. She got up to go on her own, fell and hit her head, she died before my mom could get to the hospital. My grandmother drank and smoked heavily which I assume led to the stroke. My mom does neither, but still this is all I could think about. I knew I would need to stay with my mom in the hospital and however long after. Ok, I'll let you take a break. But don't be long. Seriously, do come back; it will get juicy, really, ok I'll tease you with a few installment titles:
One Night in Bangkok
Guests Behaving Badly; Really, Really, Badly
And More Guests Behaving Badly: The Loud Children are finally allowed to say the word, "Stupid"
Encounters With the Dream Team
We Finally Rode that Darn Dumbo!
See, who couldn't come back for that?
Anyhow, FIL said, if you're gonna go, go now; Feb and March will not be a good time to go anyhow. And, I wasn't "feeling" too good about my job. I could just sense that something wasn't right. 
But, there was just one problem: I had not been cleared to take a vacation day on 12/31 which was also payroll processing day. I was the payroll person. It was tough for me to ask since I was already taking off on 1/2 for my mom's surgery. But, I asked and there was hesitation, but my wish was granted. 
(I would still have to do payroll remotely...on New Year's Eve...at Beach Club) I was certainly doing a happy dance and all that was left was to Priceline a hotel for 12/29. I certainly wasn't going to spend points on a weekend during holiday season. 
All that was left was making a few ADR's and packing.
I wanted to be able to enjoy Disney without being soaked with sweat. 
According to the calendar, the end of Dec should have been perfect, right?
That Santa sure is smart. 
But DH wakes announces the need to "go" now! Might I add that he is taking a diuretic? Remember this, it is important. So, we get to visit Pedro afterall! 
But not too long, we have many miles to go. The drive was uneventful other than the constant pit stops.....every freakin 30 minutes! 
I swore after this trip that we are only flying from now on. Despite the constant stops, we were making pretty good time until we hit construction, then a stop for no reason, then heavy traffic, then rain, then Orlando. We ended up driving straight to AK for our ADR at Yak & Yeti. I was actually pretty grumpy when we there. I yelled at somebody in the parking lot for something. I think one of the Loud Children lost something. I don't know; it wasn't important. But as soon as we boarded the tram, all was right in the world. 
That is until Yak and Yeti. Some have reported that it was good; we just didn't like it. The portions were small, and not tasty. This one was oop, so no aps or desserts. It just wasn't filling. 
So he headed out on a quest for our Priceline find.
I thought I was going to die right there in paradise. We got moved to an almost perfect room. 
I have a similar hotel I use for such comparisons. It was a nasty place in the New Orleans area for Mardi Gras whilst in college. Ewww. (I love, love, love New Orleans. In a good hotel.
They owe me. HA! They don't know that I ate all their Reese Eggs....note to self: buy more Reese Eggs. Anyhow, the only thing that bothered me was the fact that they weren't very busy so the wait staff was just standing around, not staring at us, just looking out over the restaurant, but made a little uneasy. They weren't pushy, didn't rush us, and were obviously attentive. But there weren't any hot Italian waiters...not that I was looking for any mind you. 
)
