In the Spirit of the Season

[dizneeat]

Great start to your trip report, Ann!

I had forgotten that you had such an early start, but am glad to read that everything went well, apart from the forgotten meds!

 

[annmarieda]

Great start to your trip report, Ann!

I had forgotten that you had such an early start, but am glad to read that everything went well, apart from the forgotten meds!

It was a nice start. I think it was probably the most pleasant flights I have ever been on. (except maybe when flights actually gave meals). I was worried about traveling alone with Zoe. Really though, except for my loss of brain power due to lack of sleep and excitement causing me to leave the meds behind, it really was easy.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Joining in!! Sounds like your trip was off to a nice and pleasant start! Hopefully the forgotten medication didn't become a problem!

 

[tankgirl427]

How many travel days updates can you get done in one day? LOL. Hopefully you didn't stay up too late to work on it!

Hmmm I wonder what happens next....

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

That sure was a long travel day. So glad you made it to Orlando with no problems (well other than the cold packs). Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Laura Loves Tigger]

Joining in! I read your PTR. Now I can't wait to hear how the trip went. Sounds like you ha good travel. I don't think there is anything more exciting than arriving in Orlando and walking to the ME!

 

[shocky5]

Made it here! I'm excited you started your TR! I now officially don't see mine happening until Sunday... Eddie's family arrives today for the weekend, leaving Sunday.

But I'm happy to begin reading yours!!!

 

[veggiemama]

Hi Ann!

I'm here and joining in.

What a long, though thankfully 'easy' travel day!

Great start and I'm looking forward to reading more.... hopefully I will get some ideas for my own TR since I have never written one before. :
I think I have a title though

 

[annmarieda]

Joining in!! Sounds like your trip was off to a nice and pleasant start! Hopefully the forgotten medication didn't become a problem!

And as far as the medication... well that will come up soon enough.

How many travel days updates can you get done in one day? LOL. Hopefully you didn't stay up too late to work on it!

Hmmm I wonder what happens next....

Well, I edited and loaded all the pictures from 12/9 to photobucket so I thought it would be easy to get 12/9 done. Especially since there were minimal events that took place. And... I was up late because Zoe took a turn for the worse last night so I was up any way.

And I wonder... what could have happened next

That sure was a long travel day. So glad you made it to Orlando with no problems (well other than the cold packs). Looking forward to reading more.

It was a long day, but it was far from over once we got off the plane.

Joining in! I read your PTR. Now I can't wait to hear how the trip went. Sounds like you ha good travel. I don't think there is anything more exciting than arriving in Orlando and walking to the ME!

I am so glad you joined here too! You are right... nothing is better than arriving in Orlando!

Made it here! I'm excited you started your TR! I now officially don't see mine happening until Sunday... Eddie's family arrives today for the weekend, leaving Sunday.

But I'm happy to begin reading yours!!!

I am so happy you are here! I will just patiently wait for you to start yours!

Hi Ann!

I'm here and joining in.

What a long, though thankfully 'easy' travel day!

Great start and I'm looking forward to reading more.... hopefully I will get some ideas for my own TR since I have never written one before. :
I think I have a title though

I hope you get some ideas, but really I am no pro. I just wing it. And titles? I stink at titles and have the hardest time coming up with one. Usually, about half way through writing a report I realize I should have titled it a bit differently. Like "Christmas all year long" really should have been "Dreaming of Christmas all year long" or something to that effect. Anyway, if you have a title I think you are well on your way! At least.. .for me that is a big chunk of the battle.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

about leaving her meds! I bet when you realized you completely flipped out!!

 

[swwake]

OH no! Not the meds!!

THose are two great photos from the plane windows!

 

[ladytink75]

Your trip will be here soon. I was just looking at where you are staying. You will be doing a bit of bouncing around, yes?

Yeah I sure will be staying in a lot of different resorts but that's okay at least I can say that I stayed in several villias while I was on this vacation.. I'm trying to see if I can raise some money so this way my parents can stay in the same resorts we will be staying in so this way we can be close to each other on this trip. Right now I have the staying at ASM. The first night and the last two nights they will be with me but in between they will be there at ASM

Up and Away, a long travel day to the World

As we flew over the Pacific Northwest, I was able to get this shot of two of our grand mountains.

Wow what a BEAUTIFUL shot.. Oh how i miss those beautiful peaks.. I sure do hope to make it back home to WA sometime soon maybe next year. I need to make a run to Whidbey Island so I can check on my house up there I need to do some improvement's to that house so a trip up there might be in my future plans.

 

[DisneyKira]

I am here!

I love that picture of the mountains! I have a goal to get one of those shots on our trip!

 

[flamestarrdust]

Joining in! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

 

[annmarieda]

about leaving her meds! I bet when you realized you completely flipped out!!

Yep, it was a bit of a "doh" moment. That is coming up though..so keep on reading :

OH no! Not the meds!!!

I know! And the bad parent of the year award goes to....

THose are two great photos from the plane windows!

I have never got pictures out of the plane window. I don't sit in the window seat since I always have kids who want it. Normally there is not enough room to reach across and take a picture. That was not the case on the SW flight.

Yeah I sure will be staying in a lot of different resorts but that's okay at least I can say that I stayed in several villias while I was on this vacation.. I'm trying to see if I can raise some money so this way my parents can stay in the same resorts we will be staying in so this way we can be close to each other on this trip. Right now I have the staying at ASM. The first night and the last two nights they will be with me but in between they will be there at ASM



Wow what a BEAUTIFUL shot.. Oh how i miss those beautiful peaks.. I sure do hope to make it back home to WA sometime soon maybe next year. I need to make a run to Whidbey Island so I can check on my house up there I need to do some improvement's to that house so a trip up there might be in my future plans.

I hope you are able to raise enough cash to make that happen... and if you head up this way... make sure to let me know.

I am here!

I love that picture of the mountains! I have a goal to get one of those shots on our trip!

I am so glad you are going to read along. We have not had much time together lately and so I haven't really had a chance to tell you about my trip! This way you can read when you have a chance

Joining in! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

I am so glad you are here!

 

[annmarieda]

Meets and Arrivals

As tired as I was, somehow I had a renewed energy. Zoe and I made our way off the plan and onto the mini monorail. Betsy and I had been texting so I knew that she and her friend Shelly were waiting near the “big tree” for us. We just barely came from the walkway into the main area and I recognized Betsy immediately. It was as though she was a old friend whom I had not seen in a while. I was so excited!

We walked over and I had Zoe hand Betsy a small token (emphasis on the small) of a gift.

We began walking and for some reason (I can’t remember, maybe Betsy you do?) We stopped to take a picture of Zoe near the Goofy statue. Not near the giant tree. The first official tree in Disney, but the Goofy. Also, no group shot then and there. Why?

In no time, we were on our way to DME. Unfortunately, we got a MEARS shuttle and not a true Magical Express, so no video for us
Despite our excitement, doesn’t Zoe look a bit tired?

It was on the bus that I realized that the medication had been left behind. I think I actually let out an audible gasp when I realized. However, there was nothing that could be done so I sat back to enjoy the rest of the ride.

I can’t remember the stops we made. It didn't seem too long before were we making our way under the archway. On our way, we were able to see fireworks that were a beautiful start to our trip. I don’t know which park they were going off at. (I assume MK) Betsy also shared with me all the messages that people here on dis had been sending. I do not have a smart phone so while on vacation, I do very little "online" communications.

Once we got to Pop, we were greeted and asked if we needed a button. Since I was celebrating my birthday on this trip (kinda) I lingered to receive my “happy birthday” button.

Once inside, the first order was to check in. Betsy and I went up together and we requested rooms near each other. They were in the same building, same floor, almost just around the corner from each other! 50's section room 1425. (I hate that I didn't get a picture of the room number )

Next we had to address the issue of medication. Shelly sat with Zoe while Betsy and I stayed to speak with the wonderful cm who called Southwest for me. She tried very hard to figure out a way to get the medication back, but since the had been stored in what looked like a “get sick” bag, the cleaning crew likely just threw them out. The cm did give me a refrigerator for the mediation though.

That being done it was time to find Shelly and Zoe. Who had made their way to the restroom where Zoe was having some trouble. I believe it was here that someone came out to request Zoe’s mom come in. Zoe had told them that she was wearing a certain shirt and well, that was actually Betsy. So the person came up to ask Betsy if she was Zoe’s mom.

After quickly establishing that Zoe now had an adoptive family. (Grandma Shelly and Mom Betsy), I went in and found that her tube had come uncapped. I fixed that was quick and we were on our way to our room.

We did have to get a picture of Zoe in the chair sitting at the tree though.

Once we got to our building we split up briefly to get settled. In that time, the fridge was delivered to our room and I slightly unpacked. Betsy was able to get settled too a bit and when I made my way to her room, this is what I saw.

How she got that up so quickly I am not sure. She also had a tree in her room. (which you will see later up in my room at WL)

Now remember that Betsy had sent a huge backpack full of stuff for Zoe to take on the flight? Well, she had another trick up her sleeve. She gave Zoe and I each a gift bag filled with wrapped goodies. I think the idea could have been to unwrap one a day for the entire trip... but Zoe couldn’t wait that long and while we didn’t unwrap them all that night. They were unwrapped by the next night. My favorite item was a necklace. It was the only one I wore the entire trip. It is a pendant that reads “wish” and then there is a little Tinkerbell that dangles over it. Zoe got a necklace too and was thrilled. A very delicate Belle’s mirror dangles from just as delicate a chain. Betsy truly spoiled us!

Since we really had not ate a meal since our lunchables back in Kansas City, despite the time (which was getting late) Betsy, Zoe and I went down to Everything Pop to grab a sandwich to eat.

Finally, Steve and Alex arrived. I learned that their flight from Chicago had been a bit of a challenge. Apparently right as they were about to board, they were forced to check their carry on bags. Then just as they were about to actually head down the ramp TSA pulled them aside to look through their back packs. It delayed them and was only for show since they didn’t do more than what security does at the Disney bag checks.

We said good night to Betsy and then I showed Steve around Pop a bit. I had hoped our bags would be delivered by the time we got back. We got back to the room and got settled in.

Since all of our checked bags (except the ones that the guys ended up needing to check in at Chicago) were on my flight, and that flight came in at 9pm, I assumed that DME would have our luggage to us by around 1am. This is why we stayed up a bit. However, by 1:45am I figured it was worth a call to find out where they might be. I was told that they had arrived at 1am and would be delivered within the hour. So we lightly slept awaiting knock at the door. Finally, at 5:30am, I called again. This time I was told that it is their policy to not deliver in the middle of the night and that is why they were not there. Well, since I had items that I needed that had to be checked I told them I needed the bags in order to actually go to sleep. They brought them right up and FINALLY I was able to solidly go to sleep.


Next Chapter: To Sleep or to Play, our first day in DTD

 

[tankgirl427]

Zoe ran over to it and poised and you asked her if she wanted her picture taken, then both you and Shelly took a photo of her. And the gift wasn't that small! I'll talk all about it in my TR.

PS- Kira come over there too!

PPS - Now back to reading.

 

[tankgirl427]

Yacht Club, Beach Club, then CBR, then Pop

 

[tankgirl427]

The fireworks were Illuminations. We had the weird guy in the Disney sweater next to us who was talking loudly about how it couldn't be Illuminations and I knew it was, but then we passed by Epcot right as the fireworks were finishing.

 

[tankgirl427]

We didn't mess around when we got in, we didn't unpack anything except room decorations until after you picked up Steve.

Okay now back to reading.



Hope you are enjoying the forty posts that goes with me being on your trip with you!