Kanga1:Coming Home,Trip Tips,and Final Thoughts

[Kanga1]

Cast of Characters:

Jana (moi, 40, obsessive planner of this and all trips..think Chevy Chase in the ‘Vacation’ movies.)
Eric (DH, 41, a big “kid” at heart, pretty much goes with the flow and can have a good time anywhere as long as there’s good food.)
Anna Marie (4 year-old DD and true princess…any princess...pick one.)

We were in no rush to come home, so we slept late, ate a bite of the free continental breakfast at the Hampton Inn, packed up the car and started the journey home. We stopped in Washington, PA at a Walmart so I could get most of my pictures printed. This took a really long time and we stayed there for lunch. By this time DH looked a little green around the gills so we headed straight for home. It was a quiet ride…DD slept and DH and I listened to the Disney CD’s I had purchased and reminisced about our favorite parts of the trip. We were tired; we were sad and we were missing Disney.

Editor’s Note: When we got home, DH had a temperature of 101. I came down with it the very next day and surpassed them both with a temperature of 102. We went to the doctor and all three of us were diagnosed with strep throat. Not exactly the souvenir we wanted to bring home.

Trip Tips
1. Stay on Disney property.
2. If you’re going to visit MK most of the time, stay at the Contemporary…the walkway alone is worth its weight in gold….or bricks.
3. Get up and get there EARLY and take advantage of morning EMH.
4. Fantasyland is empty during parades and fireworks.
5. Take a nap, take a nap, TAKE A NAP!
6. Use the guidebooks (especially PassPorter) and the DIS boards and plan, plan, PLAN!
7. Be flexible. If something goes wrong (and it will) try to resolve it and be thankful you’re at Disney.
8. Make all of your PS’s 90 days in advance.
9. Create a healthy budget well before you leave and stick to it. I have a vacation club account with money coming directly out of my paycheck. While on vacation, write down every expense daily so you know the balance. Vacations aren’t fun if you’re in debt.
10. Rent strollers for your entire length of stay. It’s cheaper and a lot more convenient.
11. Claim your stroller Disney Dollars all in one swoop and spend the money on the last day.
12. Invest in a really small digital camera and camcorder…and USE them.
13. Use a digital camera…you can see if a shot you’ve taken is bad and take it over.
14. When separated from your party, have a walkie talkie or cell phone on you at all times.
15. Try to be a “co-pilot” on the monorail at least once.
16. Keep hydrated and use sunscreen.


17. Order a PassPorter Passholder before you leave to wear around your neck. In it, carry your park tickets/resort key, driver’s license, DDE card, Insurance card, FastPasses, stroller receipts, and a little money. This is very convenient for the parks as well as the airport – all your I.D. is right there and your hands are free. I couldn’t believe the number of people who asked us where we got these – or thought we worked there!
18. Don’t exit the parks with the masses…linger a while and enjoy the magic.
19. If you have a girl, let her wear costumes in the parks…with sneakers.
20. “Wishes”, “SpectroMagic”, “IllumiNations”, and “Fantasmic!” are all must-sees.”
21. The ponchos in the parks hold up better than 99 cent ones at Walmart. Spend the extra money and carry them at all times.
22. Sometimes, the parks are best in the rain.
23. Book character meals if you don’t want to stand in line to meet them.
24. Be sure and give good CM’s a “Thank you.”
25. Don’t try to do or see everything…you can’t. Enjoy the magic and “let it in.”


Final Thoughts

A whirlwind of thoughts come to mind as I write the final words to this trip report. We got separated among thousands of people in MK, lost stuff, had meltdowns, sat in the rain, broke Peter Pan, fell down, and got sick. But…we got upgraded, found $12 and a t-shirt, woke up Tinkerbell, had good food with good friends, ate in the Castle, was given a Cinderella dress, learned to float, traded pins, pressed some pennies, drove the monorail, became a princess and made many, many, many happy memories. It was, without a doubt, the BEST vacation any of us had ever had. We not only “felt” the magic, we “lived” the magic…and I hope I packed enough in my suitcase to last until our return in 2007. See you there. And, oh, I almost forgot…

“Have a Magical Day!”

"Planning or Obsession...What's the Difference?"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=857133

"Our Vacation Begins"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread...370#post9138370

Day 1 "Pixie Dust and Panic Attacks" (Part 1)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread...210#post9143210

Day 1 "Pixie Dust and Panic Attacks" (Part 2)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread...244#post9143244

Day 1 "Pixie Dust and Panic Attacks" (Part 3)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=857458

Day 2 "Magical Meltdowns"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=859866

Day 3 "Running Around the World"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=860524

Day 4 "Cinderella Breaks Peter Pan"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=862512

Day 5 "Losing Time"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=866373

Day 6 "Shh! It's a Secret"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=870446

Day 7 "Tea Cakes and Gummy Worms"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=872121

Day 8 "Fantasmic Fever"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=872158

Day 9 "My Throat Hurts"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=876502

Day 10 "Leaving Disney"
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=877354

 

[rickpratt]

That was an excellent TR and wonderful suggestions, we are leaving in 16 days according to my dd.

 

[babytrees]

I have LOVED your reports!!!

I am glad the magic outweighed the "bad"

loved your wrap up....thanks for keeping me entertained(at work!!!)

 

[Minniespal]

I've really enjoyed reading your reports ~ Thanx for posting.

 

[foxfire]

So sad for your trip report to end but I'm so glad you took the time to write it. It was truly a delightful read!

I can tell Myrtle Beach now has a serious contender for your vacation destination. I'm not at all surprised though...that magic at Disney just sucks you right in, doesn't it?

I'm sorry your DD wasn't feeling well some of the time but she sure was a trooper. I'm glad you & your DH made it back home before the bug overtook you & I hope all three of you are over the strep now.

 

[londonpenguin]

I've really enjoyed reading your reports, and the last one brought a tear to my eye. Now, I'm just waiting to see some photos (hint, hint, nudge, nudge)!

 

[Cinerama]

Loved your whole report! What a great trip you had. I know that awful feeling on the last day...imagining the fun everyone else around you is going to be having while you are heading back to boring reality. sigh...
Guess that's why it's always good to have an upcoming trip to plan for...even if it's not for a year or two!

 

[fizz13]

What a great report with excellent advice . I have enjoyed every minute of your trip with you and wanted to thank you for writing it so well,

Claire xx

 

[Credit Man]

I have enjoyed your report greatly. Thanks for posting.

 

[Keggy]

Absolutely wonderful, wonderful trip report! We were in DTD this weekend and I almost bought a parrot to mail to you - but thought you would think I was crazy if I PM'ed you for your address! I am so glad to read that you were able to find another one!

Thank you very much for sharing your magic!

Kelly

 

[Kanga1]

Absolutely wonderful, wonderful trip report! We were in DTD this weekend and I almost bought a parrot to mail to you - but thought you would think I was crazy if I PM'ed you for your address! I am so glad to read that you were able to find another one!

Thank you very much for sharing your magic!

Kelly

Kelly,

Awww...how sweet! Luckily a "new" parrot flew in from Adventureland!!!!

 

[roberrl187]

Thanks for sharing your magical trip. I really enjoyed reading all of the details.

 

[heaven2dc]

You are by far one of the best "trip reporters" in quite some time and thoroughly enjoyed the wrapup as well as the reports - also the pics!

Am SO anxious to our "hopeful" trip next Spring and will use alot of advice you have given (as well as other wonderful reports here on the Board).

Welcome home and am anxious to hear of your next trip!!

 

[Terri C]

At the risk of sounding strange reading your TR made me feel like I was there!

Priceless

 

[dawnrose]

Enjoyed reading your report. Thanks for sharing.

 

[krismom]

What a terrific read! I felt your joys and your tears upon leaving.... we had soooooo much rain during our trip this June 25- July 2nd. It really was hard not to let it "dampen" our trip. Thanks for taking the time to write-

 

[ShariVT]

Great trip report! I love all the links in on thread. Thank you for finishing it.

 

[Eeyore18]

Wow! I just finished reading them all! I enjoyed every one of them! Loved the tips and final thoughts! Thanks again for sharing with everyone!

 

[Jenn]

Great report. You are SOOOOO hooked on Disney - welcome ...we need a few more like us!

 

[Deluzy]

Thank you so much for posting such a wonderful trip report! I loved how you had such a postivie outlook and really took time to enjoy the magic!

I just wanted to note - I dont think that you are too strict at all - it is wonderful that you follow through with your consequences (re: Indy Speedway incident). I truly does make a difference in the long-term.

Again, it was such a joy to read your TR - I will look forward to 2007!