Friday June 8, 2007:
The day had finally come! We were heading to Disney World to celebrate my Mom's Big Birthday! 60 years young.
I was pretty much packed that morning when I woke up except for the things I needed to get ready. After finishing that, getting ready and packing the car, we were out of the house at 9. Just 15 minutes later than I really wanted to leave. We dropped our Phoebe off at Camp for a sleepover and then got right on the Turnpike. Even with our slight delay in leaving the house, we were at my brother's house by 10. Time to get the rest of our group!
I should mention here that Claire had been sick for 2 weeks prior to this trip. First it was an ear infection which actually turned out to be a sinus infection so she was just starting another round of antibiotics and hadn't had the best week leading up to the trip. My mom and I even said that if they did not want her to go (DB and family were leaving for a 2 week vacation 2 days after we got back), we'd understand and we'd still take Owen with us. Nope, Claire is fine. Take her. Please.
We get there and Claire looks and feels great. Then...
DB: Owen has a little cough
DSIL: and a runny nose
DB: and a fever
DSIL informs us that she packed some meds for both kids and to take it easy on the swimming i.e. kiddie pool and/or no going under the water. Which is torture for these kids. They LOVE to swim.
Plus there was no way we could leave Owen at home. He grabbed his suitcase and backpack, walked to the door, and said "Can we go to Disney now?". We re-packed everything into DSIL's car and we were off by 10:30.
We had an uneventful ride up except for the horrible rain we hit about half way. But by 12:30 we were getting off the Turnpike and looking at the first sign we made it to Disney World.
ok, don't tell but I actually took this the day we left WDW because there were too many cars blocking my view
Right around now was the time that little Owen decided he was ready for a nap. I guess those 2 hours of sitting in the car doing nothing was a lot of work.
Then as we drove on, we hit the big one. The ultimate sign you've made it to Disney!
And before we knew it, we had made it to Port Orleans Riverside!
Owen was still sleeping so my mom waited in the car while Claire and I checked in. I really wanted a room in Alligator Bayou. I love the atmosphere there and I also love the trundle bed. Not for me. For Owen.
There were 2 families checking in ahead of us. Our cast member was lacking a little magic but she delivered us a room in the Bayou that was clean and ready. Perfect. We'll take it.
Room 3930. As in Building 39. The absolutely last building in the bayou section. Surely the walk to the food court/lobby can't be as bad as people say it is? Right?
We were about to find out. We drove around. Practically to the Mansion section and parked the car. Owen was awake now, thank goodness, so he could carry his own stuff. We walked towards the room. And walked. And walked. Finally we saw it.
I double checked our room number again. 3930. Great! 1st floor. I put the key in. Red light. Put it in again. Red light. I try this about 22 more times. I'm starting to get a little mad. The lobby is F A R. I do not want to go back there. Then Claire looks in the window. "Hey someone's stuff is in here already!".
I look. Yep, someone indeed is already staying in this room. Although thank goodness they weren't in there at the time.
I look at the paper again. Maybe that 3 is actually a 5? We'll try it. So now we have to go upstairs and all the way around to 3950. We have a winner! Note to Disney - have your resort CMs work on penmanship.
We dragged ourselves and our bags into the room and collapsed on the beds. Owen was ready for another nap. And us girls were ready for lunch. The girls won. We headed to the food court. Which took about 32 minutes to walk to.
They actually had people standing on the sides of the walkways cheering us on and throwing cups of gatorade on us.
I am loving the remodeled POR food court.
Sorry no food pics. I always forgot to take them until I had one bite left which does no one any good. But both kids got chicken nuggets and french fries (gobbled it up). Apple juice for Owen. Water for Claire. Grapes for Owen (loved it). Chocolate chip cookie for Claire (she didn't eat it so it must have been gross). Muffeletta sandwich for my mom and I
thumbsup2
). We shared the chips (stale but I bet they are really good fresh) and pasta salad (just ok).
Then we did our stretching and hiked all the way back to the room. We passed Soarin' on the way and grabbed some fastpasses for later.
When we got to the room. It was time for everyone to get their meds. Actually just Owen. Who also declared that he needed a nap and that Claire and I could go to a park while Grandma stayed with him.
Uh-oh. A 4 yr old has been in Disney less than 2 hours and all he wants to do is sleep? This can't be good.
Up next: The plan goes out the window.
Can't wait for the next installment
It wasn't that far surely? I hope DN doesn't get ill 
I would love to stay there sometime. 
