Kakiegirls Trip Report June 05, A series of misfoturnate events

[kakiegirl]

It has been awhile since I began my trip report which I never finished. However, it has been slow at work lately and reading other reports on the board has inspired me. Plus reliving our trip helps me not be quite so home sick
Kakiegirl's trip report Day One (No this can't be happening!)

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Kakiegirl's trip report Pre-Trip (Beginning of our series of misfortunate events)

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Me DW (35) Disney Addict
DH (47) Patient and understanding not quite so much a Disney Addict
DD (6) Disney Addict in training

Pre-Trip
We had saved for a year so this trip to Disney we could really go all out. I made our reservations in October for Fort Wilderness Campground, it had been my dream to camp there since our first trip in 02. Well three weeks before Disney we decided to camp at a campground about an hour from our house on the way home DH's truck died he needed a new transmission, there went $1,600 of our Disney money. Oh well going to Disney broke is better than not going to Disney at all (I am a positive person). After that the next two weeks two other minor problems arose with his truck (he had to have a new engine mount (whatever?) and his door handle broke $125.00 for a new door handle. Is something trying to tell me not to go to Disney?? NO we are going to Disney it does not matter if we have to eat peanut butter sandwiches for 8 days. I called Fort Wilderness and canceled our Golf Cart at least that gave us $300.00 more spending money.

 

[kakiegirl]

Kakiegirl's trip report Day One (No this can't be happening!)

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Me DW (35) Disney Addict
DH (47) Patient and understanding not quite so much a Disney Addict
DD (6) Disney Addict in training


6/18/05 Day One

We woke up bright and early the morning of 6-18-05 at a motel on Ocala, Florida, we had drove part of the way Friday night so we could get to Fort Wilderness early. We were all excited. We went to Shoney's and ate breakfast and then we stoped by the Disney Welcome Center in Ocala and bought DD a new starter pin trading set because we forgot to bring hers from last time. Then we climbed in the truck and headed to Fort Wilderness. We reached Fort Wilderness a little after 12:00 p.m. and sat in the check in line. I couldn't believe it after months of planning we were finally here. DD was antsy and ready to get our of her booster seat. Check in was quick and we headed to our site. I got the AC going in the camper and got DD a cartoon going to keep her occupied, DH and I then began setting up the camper. I was in the back of the camper and DH yelled help, I ran to the front of the camper and he was laying on the ground, he had fell off a step stool letting the bed out on our camper. DH said I think I broke my ankle (okay I know I am so ashamed but all of you Disney addicts will understand, the first thought was oh no our disney trip is ruined) I promise I was also worried about my DH. I helped him up and we got his shoe off and his ankle was already swelling. I asked him did we need to go the hospital and he said lets just wait, he then put some pressure on the ankle and he could walk on it, so he decided it was just sprained or strained not broke. I helped him in the camper and me and DD headed out to try to find the trading post to buy him some alleve. We went to the Bus Stop and waited for a Bus to take us to the trading post. Buses kept stopping and telling us they didn't stop at the trading post, finally we found a bus driver that said hop in and I will show you where it is, we had not gotten on the bus good when he stopped. It ended up the trading post was really close to our campsite and we could have easily walked there, by this time it was 30 minutes after we had left poor DH in pain in the camper. We bought the alleve and walked back to the camper, on our walk back we realized the pool and movie/campfire area and a comfort station where right there by our camper. That was great but I was still afraid we were going to be headed home. We got back to the Camper and DH had been up trying to set up the camper (so stubborn) he decided it definently wasn't broke, I was a good wife and did offer to see if Disney would let us add the no-expiration option to our tickets (we had cancled it when the transmission went out to get some money back) and we could just spend the first part of the week chilling out to see how his ankle was going to do. He knew how long we had been dreaming of this trip and he told me that no he would be okay. I then had the experience of setting up the rest of the camper with his instructions. I guess it was good for me to learn how. By this time DH's alleve was kicking in and the pain was better DD and I put on our bathing suits and headed to the pool whil DH was going to try to take a nap. DD and I got to the pool, the water was great and DD immediatley made a friend. Okay, I was going to relax, we are at Disney, life is great everything is going to be just fine (worse case me and DD would do the parks by ourself the first of the week while DH's ankle got better) After swimming we headed back to the camper DH was awake and said he we feeling some better, but that it really hurt, I offered to cancel our priority seating at Whispering Canyon that night, but he said he could make it. We took the truck instead of the boat as originally planed and went to a nearby Eckerd's to get DH a wrap for his foot. We arrived at Wilderness Lodge an hour early so we would look around and tour the Lodge, we parked the truck and DH hobbled up the hill to the Lodge. It was really beautiful, DD did ask why that pool had a slide, and ours did not. She also asked could we come over and swim one day, since I had signed a paper at check in stating I was aware Pool hoping was not allowed, I told her no mabye next time we could stay at a resort with a slide. I hoped to see the gyser go off, but we didn't get to. We then headed to Whispering Canyon, it was really fun but I guess after reading up on all the neat things that happened there it did not quite live up to my expecations. We did have fun though and the food was great, I think our waiter was just not one that was really into the shenanigans. DH then hobbled and we walked back to the truck and headed back to the Camper. I told DH that DD and I could hit the park in the morning by ourself but he said no he would do whatever we did. We hit the sack because my plans were for us to be at Magic Kingdom for opening the next day. I said a prayer for DH's ankle and for a miracle recovery. Then we all were in dream land dreaming of Mickey and the castle.

 

[kakiegirl]

Kakiegirl's trip report Day Two- Part One (Magic Kingdom and no accidents)

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6/19/05 Part One.

Our alarm goes off at 7:00 a.m. DH gets out of bed and can hardly stand to put pressure on his foot. I offer that we can stay at the camper for the morning, he walks on it for a while and says it is feeling better that we are going, if he has to he will sit on a bench, that reminded dd of the vacation planning video and she told him we would find him a floating bench. We eat breakfast, take the bus to the settlment and the boat to the MK. The boat is pulling into MK just as the opening ceremonies are going on. As we go up mainstreet me and dd both gasp at our first view of the castle, I know some don't like the decorations for the celebration but we thought they were beautiful. First we head to the tinkerkbell store, I had no hope of waking Tinkerbell, however, I thought DD could look in the chest and see her, but the CM at the store said Tinkerbell was not there, that she might occasionally fly around the store. I was glad I had not told dd anything about it. We then headed to Winnie the Pooh and walked on no lines, from there we hit Snow White, Peter Pan and it's a Small World we were out of Fantasy Land around 9:40. DH was really hobbling on his leg but he said he did not want to sit down. We rode Haunted Mansion, this was our first excitement of the day, in haunted mansion our car stoped for about 5 minutes, we were facing the dining room table, I don't know if they were loading someone in a wheel chair of if they were having technical problems, but it was really a neat ride to be stoped on. I showed DD and DH the hidden Micky made out of plates on the table and they were impressed with my knowledge. We then headed to frontier land but DD decided she was not ready for Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain so we went in and meet Woody and Jessie and from there we hit adventure land, they were just opening Aladian's carpets and DD and DH took a spin on those while I ran to Jungle Cruise for a fast pass. We were having a blast I was worried about the crowds but so far they had been no problem. I got back to the carpets and DD wanted to ride again so I went on them with her. After that we headed to Pirates of the Caribean, again we practically walked on the ride. It was neat riding these rides (HM and PC) after seeing the movies and looking for things that were in the movies. We then stoped by the Tiki's shooting water and let DD play in them. DH said his foot was holding up okay, and he was starting to walk better, so I had hope the week would be okay. On to the Jugle Cruise with our fast passes. DD has been begging all morning to ride Stitch and Buzz, I was really trying to save those rides for when we came back that evening, however, this vacation is for her and sometimes you have to deviate from your plans, we headed to Tommorow Land and got fast passes for Stitch. Having lived in Hawaii for three years I really wanted DD and DH to try a Dole Whip, I was thinking that was in tommorow land, but a CM told me that was Adventure Land (which makes sense). I told DH we would not make him walk back to Adventure Land but he said he was up to it he really wanted a Dole Whip. On the way back to Adventure Land we stopped off and bought DD an autograph book and a 4 pack of pins to trade as she had already traded two that were on her starter Lanyard. We then made it back to adventure land and we found them a seat in the shade while I waited in line for our Dole Whips, I got a vanilla and a pineapple float, for us to share. Buy this time it was after 11:00 and really hot, the Pineapple float was so good. However, I did not get much of either one by the time DD and DH got through with them. From there we headed to the enchanted tiki room (this was an attraction we had never seen before) it was okay DD really enjoyed it, it was air conditioned which is a plus. On the way out of Adventure Land we ran into Aladian and Jasmine (who is DD's favorite princess) she was so excited. It was great to me to see the Disney Magic was still there for DD, kids grow up so fast these days, I was afraid the characters would not excite her anymore. We headed over to Stitch as it was time for our fast pass return. I was trying to keep in open mind about stitch after reading reviews here, but I have to say none of us were really impressed with it, it is so dark and kids are screaming all over the place. I knew what to expect from these boards, but I heard a young boy behind us tell his mother he was scared before the ride started and she told him it is okay it is just stich, we were already straped in, but I wanted to turn around and tell her it is not just harmless stitch. I did laugh when stitch played with my hair but that was about the best part of the ride, even dd who is a Stich fanatic said she did not want to go on it again. We were all tired, so I told DH I would run over and get fast passes to Buzz and we would head back to the camper. I assurred him that even though the fast passes would have expired when came back that evening we could use them (he was very skeptical) We then headed back to the camper it was 2:30 when we got back to Fort Wilderness I put DD a DVD on and DH and I took a nap, she does not do naps. We would head back to magic kingdom that night. It had been a good morning and DH wad doing okay on his bad foot.

 

[kakiegirl]

6/19/05 Day Two- Part Two/ A overprotective mother.

We rested Sunday afternoon, went and looked around the trading post, swam, had sandwiches for supper and then headed back to MK around 6:00 p.m. our goal was to ride Buzz and the tea cups and watch Spectro Magic. DH was just not sure about using expired fast passes even though I told him lots of people on the internet had told me it was okay. We took the Boat to Magic Kingdom (it is very relaxing and one thing I will miss about being at another resort in 2007).

When we got to MK we went straight to Buzz, DH made me go first and he and dd stood way behind me, (DH made it clear that if the CM turned me away he would act as if he did not know me). I was thinking please let us in or DH will never let me live this down. The CM looked at our fast passes and waived us on in. DH informed me that the CM had looked at the fast passes really hard, that he did not want to do that again. I agreed we would stick to the rules from now on. We had a blast on Buzz it is one of DH's and DD's favorites. We tried to ride Astro Orbiter but the line was really long so we skipped it. We took a relaxing ride on the Transit ride and then shopped around some of the stores in tomorrow land, let dd pin trade and headed up to the tea cups.

After the tea cups we headed towards frontier land where we planned to watch spectro magic. As we headed that way it began to rain (of course all that morning I had carried around our ponchos and that evening had decided to leave them at the camper.) We stood on the porch of a restaurant there, I believe it was the liberty tavern. As it approached time for the parade we stepped up to the rope to wait a CM was kicking a ball around to the kids and DD loved that. Twice they came on the loud speakers stating that spectro magic was delayed due to the rain. After the second time DD was about give out and she said she wanted to go back to the camper and go to sleep, so we started to leave the park, as we got to main street the parade began. DD does not have a shy bone in her body and she walked right up to an empty space on the curb and sat down by a little girl, the girl told her she could not sit there. I did not get upset about that because I understood that those people had been sitting there for a long time to get those seats while we had just walked up. However, DD did not understand that and was not very happy, thankfully another woman standing on the street told me the DD could sit by her kids, she had a daughter and they hit it right off. Now here came my dilemma, I am a worrier and here was my dd sitting on the curb at the street with a row of people between me and her. I could see her head which was necessary for my peace of mind, however it was already going through my mind that when this parade is over and all these people start moving what if I can not get to her and she gets lost in the crowd. I did not get to enjoy the parade very much because of worrying about that and when the people shifted in front of me a certain way I could no longer see DD's head. (I know I am neurotic about losing my child.) As the end of the parade was headed our way DH said he was going around to the other side to try to get her in case I could not. I begin calling her name and she got up and heading the other way I went in panic mode and started yelling her name. The lady next to me who had let her sit down was really giving me strange looks. It all turned out okay though DH had gotten to her and had called her to him. We headed to the dock to catch the boat back to Fort Wilderness and it began to poor, thank goodness we did not have to wait long for a boat. We had a great CM on the boat who was a lot of fun, on the way across the Lake Wishes began and he would Ooo and everyone else would ahh every time fireworks would go off. It was a magical end to our Day at MK. The only bad part was when we got back to Fort Wilderness we had to wait 45 minutes for a bus to our loop. I had a six year old dd who was worn out and soaking wet so this was not a good experience. We finally made it back to the camper and all quickly got baths and got to bed. Tomorrow we will hit Disney Studios.

 

[kakiegirl]

Monday 6-20-05
Disney Studios
Day Three/A Workaholic Mother.

I decided to let DH and DD sleep in this morning knowing that we would not be riding either Tower of Terror R & R roller coaster which would have the big lines. So while they were sleeping I got up and took the internal bus to trails ends and got us a breakfast buffet to go. Then I got the bright idea I would just walk back to our camper, because we had discussed while waiting for the bus so long the night before that was probably the thing to do. It was not a bad walk but not easy carrying our breakfast. I got back to the camper and DH is up and putting on his ankle brace and taking his Aleve. After our week at Disney Aleve should use DH as a spokesperson he says now that is the only thing that got him through the week.

(Looking back now that it is months later I feel like a really horrible wife. I know that my offers to stay at the campground were half hearted at best and that he knew I really did not mean them. When I think back on the pain the he went through for me and DD to have our vacation it makes me really appreciate what a wonderful Husband I have. Of course he did rub salt in my wounds this week. We have started planning our vacation for this year and he gets to pick he has decided we are going camping at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia which is really laid back compared to Disney. He claims he is going to spend a lot of time seating in his chair looking at the lake. (Which he deserves you haven’t read the rest of my trip report yet.) However, as we were talking about it he said just think if you had upgraded our tickets to non expiring and we had just stayed at the campground most of the week, you know I would feel bad and be taking you back to Disney this year. Ouch, oh well I am already looking forward to next year, it is my turn to pick and my family knows they do not even have to ask where we are going.)

We woke up DD and ate breakfast (it was really good) and headed to the bus stop. Now just my opinion one thing we did not like about Fort Wilderness was it takes so long to get anywhere. We do not like to drive and you have to take a internal bus to one side of the campground or the other and then take a bus to the parks. The last time we stayed onsite we stayed at All Star Movies and we seemed to never have a wait for a bus at least not going to the parks. If you did not get on one there was another one right behind it. Anyway we were finally on the bus to Disney Studios. Now I am by no means a Workaholic, I have no trouble leaving work behind while on vacation, but it so happened the girl filling in for me we new so I knew she would have questions, well while on the bus to DS, my DD started talking to a family beside us, the did not know about pin trading and she was telling them all about it, they had a son about her age. They also were talking about how excited they were about seeing the Power Rangers. Well my office had called and the whole bus ride I was on the phone. (This will be important later). DD and I exited the bus with DH limping behind. We heading up the street and stopped at the Hat and looked at pins. There did not seem to be a bad line for the Great Movie Ride so we went to that first of course once you get inside the line is always worse that you think, but we did not have to wait to long. This is one of DH’s favorite rides so he was happy. From there we headed to STAR TOURS which used to be one of our favorites, it was okay but I hope the rumors they are revamping it are true. It was one of the first of the motion simulator type rides I knew of but it really seems dated now. We browsed around in the store then headed out to go the streets of America to see the Power of Rangers. Now I offer an apology to anyone who was at the park that day. We saw the vehicle from Star Wars that they rode around the forest in, I can’t think of what it is called right now. Anyway, after seeing pictures of people on this board sitting on it I was so excited. There was already one family taking pictures and we waited from them to get through and DD and I hopped up on it goofing off. DH took the pictures but he kept giving me funny looks. After we walked off a little ways he whispered for me to turn around, it was then I noticed the line of people glaring at us. DH said I can’t believe you broke in front of all those people. Now I am not the most observant person in the world, but how I missed that line of people I will never know. I was just so excited. I guess I am lucky there were no hot heads waiting in line and no one said anything to me, because if a man had gotten really ugly DH would have felt compelled to defend my honor, even if I had been rude, and he was really in no shape for honor defending. However, I am truly sorry and did not do it on purpose. The next part of our day made the whole trip worth while, we got down to where the Power Rangers were to appear a few minutes early and waiting it wasn’t long before we heard the music and the car. DD loves the Power Rangers and the look on her face was priceless she was so excited. I got tears in my eyes watching her. We got her picture with the Pink, Red and Blue Ranger before the got called off on a mission. She was so cute whatever pose they did she did the same thing. We promised we would come back later to get the green and white rangers pictures. As we were headed back up towards Sci-Fi café we got our autograph with Mike and Sully. Monster’s Inc. is one of my faves so I had to get in on that picture. We then headed to Sci-Fi Café for lunch. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, and the food was pretty good and reasonably priced. DH was glad to rest his foot. DD love the glow in the dark ice cubes, but later said some of the movie clips scared her. We missed the parade while eating which disappointed me but there is always next time we have seen it two times before. From there we went and watched the Indian Jones Stunt Show, we have seen it several times also, but it is a favorite of DH’s plus he got to sit which was a plus his ankle was really hurting. From there we headed back to finish up the Power Rangers. On the way down a band started performing in the street, they were like a yard crew that was also a band. We had a while till time for the Power Rangers and DH was enjoying the music (it was from his time) so we stopped to listen. Well right beside where the band was to perform there was a hydrant that sprayed water and DD started playing with it, she was so cute and out came my camera I was snapping away, well the guitar player for the band (who was not my type at all) thought I was taking pictures of him, he came and got right up in front of me and would not leave until I took his picture. Then later on after one of the songs the lead singer asked me in front of everyone was I interested in the guitar player, I just shook my head no DH thought it was so funny. I told me I was a groupie. We finished up the Power Ranger and headed to see the Incredibles but discovered we would have to set through the animation show and DH was really tired and it was after 3:00 so we headed back to the campground. On the way out of the park we stopped by the gift shop by the Little Mermaid show and DD found a Jasmine Costume and feel in love. The whole out fit would be over $70.00, but the blinked those blue eyes and her daddy. We had told her at the first of the week she could get one souvenir a day. Well her daddy made a deal with her that if that would be her souvenir for two days and she promised to wear it for Halloween we would get it, she was so happy. Now on the way out of the park my phone rang for the first time that day and it was work. I answered it and about that time I heard someone call my DD’s name, it was the family from the bus they were asking DD did she get to see the Power Rangers and had she had fun. I smiled at the family as I was talking on the phone, but was we walked off and saw her look at her husband and shake her head I am sure she thought that poor child her mother takes her to Disney and stays on the phone the whole time. As we got on the bus the daily afternoon shower started and lasted the rest of the afternoon. We got back to the camper, tried on Jasmine ate a snack and DH took some more Aleve and zoinked out. DD and I also laid down but she could not sleep so we got up and by then the rain was just a drizzle so we headed to the pool. After swimming we dried off and went to the trading post and I bought DD a Jasmine Pin. I know she was not supposed to get anything else but she loves Jasmine so and had a hard time finding anything. It was not like she asked for it. Okay, my child is spoiled but she is really a wonderful kid and I love her so very much. As we were walking by the move was starting so we stopped and watched the movie for a while (I think the Apple Dumpling Gang was the name of it.) We enjoyed it but mosquitos were awful and I did not have any bug spray with us. We went back to the camper and showered and DD hit the sack. I reviewed my Tour Guide Mike Info for the next day and then I got a chance to do something I don’t get to do often I curled up with a book and read. DH woke later on and got his bath and we all went to sleep. We had ended up spending the whole day at Disney Studios which I did not plan to do and missed a lot we wanted to do. But we really had to slow the pace because of DH’s ankle and admitted he had over done it on his ankle but thought it was better after resting all evening. Tomorrow would be Epcot, I promised myself we would take things really slow and have a slow paced day for DH.

 

[kakiegirl]

If anyone can tell me how to edit the title I will correct the spelling of misfortunate.