"It all started with a whopping price error ” 10/24 The Perfect Storm of Opportunity

[Zookeeperof4]

Wow....so glad you decided to go back and things fell into place to make it happen.

 

[shalom]

This is the first trip report I've read here. Wow! What a story. Eager to hear the rest.

We're going to Orlando the end of April, staying at the Fountains, so I'll be interested to hear what you think of the drive from there.

 

[Amg120499]

Oh yeah, that's a sign. I am glad that it gave you a sense of peace. You needed to know it was ok to be there and to enjoy your vacation. What a great gift from your dad.

 

[smithpack]

I am so glad that you guys brought the camera this time. I see that you brought it in the carry on. DH learned that he needs to listen to you!!!

I love that you saw that rainbow. I am sure that your dad was blessing you with a wonderful trip this time around. I can't wait to hear more about this trip. It probably was better too that you didn't have to have all the extra people. You could really enjoy this time with your children.

 

[smithpack]

Oh yeah, I also can't figure out the whole photo bucket thing. If you figure it out, let me know. That is why on my TR some of the pics are small and some are large.

 

[A&Bmama]

That's just what you needed, too. A sign that you were doing the right thing.

I have to say that the candy stations were fantastic. I love that idea!

DD asked me today if we could do Goofy's candy again. I'm not sure I am up for the clean-up again so soon.

Really cool story! Can't wait to hear about the rest of this trip.

I thought it was pretty special. Hope to have the next installment ready before the weekend.

THis installment gave my chills. I totally think it was a sign. I hope the rest of your trip was just as full of magical surprises!

There are a few more "magic" moments to come.

I see it! I am so glad this sign helped to calm your spirit about the trip. Can't wait to hear more!

It was exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it.

I love the Goofy's Candy Co. idea and how cool your daughter made proper signs and everything

And the rainbow I am sure is a sign, even if not the fact it made you feel better is priceless What a lovely start to this trip

My thought exactly, maybe it was a sign, maybe it wasn't, either way it didn't matter because I felt better immediately.

This was a lovely update. How wonderful to see a beautiful rainbow to start your vacation. I just know this is going to be a totally different vacation for you! Can't wait to read more.

It was different in so many ways. Most of them good, but we did miss having friends there to share it with at times.

I believe in signs too! And that was a sign from your father.

PS I loved the Goofy Candy idea.

Thanks.

Goofy's was fun, next time I think I am going to get some pretzels to dip along with the marshmallows and chips.

Wow....so glad you decided to go back and things fell into place to make it happen.

I know, it was great how everything came together. I'm really glad we did it then because I haven't been seeing many good airfares from Halifax this year, especially at March break.

This is the first trip report I've read here. Wow! What a story. Eager to hear the rest.

We're going to Orlando the end of April, staying at the Fountains, so I'll be interested to hear what you think of the drive from there.

The drive wasn't bad at all. It was only about 5 minutes further than when we stayed at AKL.

I have to say I loved having a kitchen. I hate to eat out too often and I loved the convience of just being able to pour a glass of milk or make a cup of coffee or tea whenever the mood struck.

Oh yeah, that's a sign. I am glad that it gave you a sense of peace. You needed to know it was ok to be there and to enjoy your vacation. What a great gift from your dad.

I know, how can you think you should'nt be there when your destination is at the end of the rainbow.

I am so glad that you guys brought the camera this time. I see that you brought it in the carry on. DH learned that he needs to listen to you!!!

I love that you saw that rainbow. I am sure that your dad was blessing you with a wonderful trip this time around. I can't wait to hear more about this trip. It probably was better too that you didn't have to have all the extra people. You could really enjoy this time with your children.

We brought 3 cameras this time. One was the dinky little one we bought last trip which we gave to DD. The good one that we left home became DH's. I treated myself to a new camera of my very own just before we left.

We still didn't take near as many pictures as we should have though. We were so intent on just getting through the parks and experiencing everything that we forgot to pull out the camera's very often. Would you believe that we didn't get even a single picture with a character on either trip and that we don't have a castle picture. That's just plain wrong don't you think? I think I might need another trip...

Oh yeah, I also can't figure out the whole photo bucket thing. If you figure it out, let me know. That is why on my TR some of the pics are small and some are large.

I so wish I could figure it out, especially for the rainbow picture. By the time I got a camera unpacked and ready there wasn't much left to take a picture of but at least when I look at the large picture on my computer you can clearly tell that there are the remnants of a rainbow above that van. I'm just not very techno savvy.

 

[Becx N Gav]

We still didn't take near as many pictures as we should have though. We were so intent on just getting through the parks and experiencing everything that we forgot to pull out the camera's very often. Would you believe that we didn't get even a single picture with a character on either trip and that we don't have a castle picture. That's just plain wrong don't you think? I think I might need another trip...

I seem to do that, I read loads of TR's and think, wow those pictures are great I should get a shot of this and that but when we're there I just forget But as long as you have a great time it doesn't matter - I think some people may spend more time snapping pics than having fun and that is not my idea of a fun vacation

I do like the way you think, maybe you should do a photo trip

 

[babytrees]

Right now I am going through a bout of insomnia...thank you for writing such a well written trip report. It's helping lessen some of the things that are burdening my brain, at least for a little bit.

Bless your heart for taking the bull by the horns and travelling so soon after you lost your beloved dad.

 

[A&Bmama]

I seem to do that, I read loads of TR's and think, wow those pictures are great I should get a shot of this and that but when we're there I just forget But as long as you have a great time it doesn't matter - I think some people may spend more time snapping pics than having fun and that is not my idea of a fun vacation

I do like the way you think, maybe you should do a photo trip

My next trip I would like to go at a slower pace, get a photopass and take lots of pictures.

I keep debating if we maybe try to go sometime when we can get a free dining pin and try some TS restaurants. Sometimes I think I like the idea of having a nice sit down meal scheduled each day; othertimes, the very idea of being "pinned down" buy ADR's makes me a little crazy.

Right now I am going through a bout of insomnia...thank you for writing such a well written trip report. It's helping lessen some of the things that are burdening my brain, at least for a little bit.

Bless your heart for taking the bull by the horns and travelling so soon after you lost your beloved dad.

Thank you, what a lovely compliment.

I hope you got some sleep!

 

[A&Bmama]

As requested by Smithpack, here are some pictures of DD at Cirque School. Sorry, I don't have any video.

I don't think Cirque schools are very common. I know we have one here and there is one in Toronto. Montreal has the National Cirque School but that is a very high level school, sort of like the School for the Performing Arts, you do your regular schooling there (high school I think) and also learn circus arts. The graduates of National Cirque School would be of Cirque du Soliel calibre.

DD did about 10 hours worth of classes last year. I was going to sign her up as a student this year but it is $1000.00 year for one 1 1/2 hour class per week. She was already enrolled in a Ballet/Tap/Jazz class as well as Hip Hop and Gymnastics so we decided not to do cirque. I am kind of regreting it now so next year if she still wants to go I am just going to pony up the cash and send her.

Jumps

Spinning Jump

Hurdle Jump

Roll to standing position jump

devil sticks

spinning plates

silks, foot wrapping

splits on silks, foot wrapping

more splits

silks, hand wrapping

hoop trapeze

bar trapeze

bar trapeze

bar trapeze

rope trapeze

rope trapeze

If she goes again next fall I'm going to get some video. It is really cool to watch. DD swung my her knees on rope trapeze (harnessed) on her very first class. She had no fear.

 

[hucifer]

OMG! I am SUPER impressed with your daughter. Those moves cannot be easy.

 

[A&Bmama]

OMG! I am SUPER impressed with your daughter. Those moves cannot be easy.

Thanks! I'm pretty impressed with her myself, but I might be biased.

 

[hucifer]

Thanks! I'm pretty impressed with her myself, but I might be biased.

Understandable. But seriously...what an athlete she is. Wow.

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Wow! Awesome. My kids would love to take classes like that. Your dd looks to be very talented. (and flexible )

 

[smithpack]

Thanks for posting these. I can not believe that she is not afraid of going that high on the trapeze and the silks. She is quite talented. You definitely should keep her in there. It sounds like she is very multi-talented with all the other classes she does as well. You definitely would have to be pretty fearless to do all that cirque stuff. She is also very beautiful on top of all that talent. Thanks for posting the pics, I loved seeing what all they do in cirque school.

 

[MadiMouse]

Okay your DD really has some moves!!! How long has your DD been in dance school? My DD is three and we started her in dance (ballet and jazz) when she turned three in November. I'm so glad that she is loving it and cannot wait till Friday evenings for her classes. I truly believe in keeping kids busy.

 

[A&Bmama]

Wow! Awesome. My kids would love to take classes like that. Your dd looks to be very talented. (and flexible )

It's a great class. Wish I could have done it as a kid.

Thanks for posting these. I can not believe that she is not afraid of going that high on the trapeze and the silks. She is quite talented. You definitely should keep her in there. It sounds like she is very multi-talented with all the other classes she does as well. You definitely would have to be pretty fearless to do all that cirque stuff. She is also very beautiful on top of all that talent. Thanks for posting the pics, I loved seeing what all they do in cirque school.

Thanks. I am really kicking myself for not puting her in this year but with all the time spent on other activities not to mention the money it just seemed like something should be left off the list. In retrospect, I think that I should have just bit the bullet and let her do everything. Soon enough she will pick something that she is more passionate about and concentrate on that but for now maybe I should let her have a "taste" of as many different things as possible.

Okay your DD really has some moves!!! How long has your DD been in dance school? My DD is three and we started her in dance (ballet and jazz) when she turned three in November. I'm so glad that she is loving it and cannot wait till Friday evenings for her classes. I truly believe in keeping kids busy.

My DD has been taking a recreational dance class for a couple of years. This year is the first year that I sent her to a more serious (and costly) dance academy. Most of the kids that are at the academy have been dancing since they were quite small, probably the same age as your DD.

I think it is great to keep the kids active, they really need to expend some of that energy. I think the earlier they start the more likely they are to stick with it.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I went on an emotional rollor coaster just from reading your post, I can't imagine what you have been through I was glad to read you went back, I too feel it would make you feel better and the rainbow was a touching moment. I believe it is a sign from your dad, I know if you were my daughter I would want you to be happy with your family and live in the moments that we are blessed with

I can't wait to here how the rest of the trip went

 

[A&Bmama]

I went on an emotional rollor coaster just from reading your post, I can't imagine what you have been through I was glad to read you went back, I too feel it would make you feel better and the rainbow was a touching moment. I believe it is a sign from your dad, I know if you were my daughter I would want you to be happy with your family and live in the moments that we are blessed with

I can't wait to here how the rest of the trip went

Thanks for reading!

Sorry about the rollercoaster, fortunately the hard part is over.

The moment I saw the rainbow was probably one of the best moments of my life. I so wish that I had a camera ready to go at the moment I first saw it so that I could show everyone what it looked like. It appeared as though the end of the rainbow went directly into the roof of the hotel. The symbolism seemed too perfect to be merely a coincidence.

 

[MEK]

Cool pictures of your daughter. She looks like she is having a blast!