Kat visits mouse -- Story at 11 with pictures! Updated 11/1

[Kat in GA]

Cast of Characters:

Me -- Kat (Mom) -- stay at home mom -- we homeschool my oldest daughter -- and I teach a Latin class one day a week to 10 homeschooling highschoolers.

DH -- Michael -- chemical engineer -- not so Disney crazy -- tolerates my obsessiveness -- his excited face looks the same as his disinterested face. He is a beer snob and is looking forward to the World Showcase.

DD -- Katie -- 8 -- sweet, but a drama queen -- scary smart -- but smart with no effort. She doesn't quite know what to do with herself when she is learning something and it's not easy.

DD -- Madalyn -- 5 -- very high maintenance -- mostly grumpy -- but likes to cuddle (only on her terms!). If there is a way she can do something half way she is all for it. Our rule is that if you don't clean it up, it's mine. She would rather everything be mine -- then she wouldn't have to clean up!

Cameo appearances by: several cousins!


BACKGROUND

As a child, I lived in Winter Park, FL – just outside Orlando. When Disney World first opened, my uncle John worked as a popcorn vendor on Main Street

(and eventually worked up to the head bartender at the Top of the World in the Contemporary Hotel). With his cast member status, we would always get into the world for free. They would even close the park some nights just for friends and family members. So…Disney was part of my routine!

Here are some pictures from our first family trip to the park in October 1971:

Mainstreet:

My mom, me and Chip (or is that Dale?) -- Haven't costumes come a long way?

Me and Dad with Goofy (can ya tell it's 1971 with those sideburns?)

This one did not scan as well...but here is Mom and me riding the carousel:

As I got older…and we moved out of the Orlando area, Disney got a bit more stringent with their freebies…

In 1986 (when I was 16) we went to the world on our family vacation. My grandparents still lived in Winter Park, and we stayed with them. We visited Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Sea World – and spent some time at the beach.

My next visit to the world was in July of 1996. I had gotten married in March – and my grandfather was unable to come to my wedding – so I wanted to visit him and introduce him to my husband. At the time I was working on my master’s degree and working as a nanny for two children who were 10 and 13. So – how can I take a vacation that is not on the family’s schedule? Well…offer to take them with us! So we head off to Satellite Beach Florida on the 2nd of July. We left in the evening so that Michael did not have to take a day off of work – so we arrived well after midnight. The next day we decided to do Epcot (actually we should have just stayed at the house as we slept in and didn’t get to Epcot until noonish!). We had a good time (ahh…memories of Horizons…) and were walking the World Showcase during Illuminations – but did not realize the hours of Epcot and that it would close at 9pm. Oh well…

The next day was the 4th of July – and we smartly thought that Magic Kingdom would be a fun place to be for some great fireworks. I don’t know how people manage to write trip reports so far after the actual event – but this is what I remember from that day:
1. I THINK we managed to do everything.
2. My camera got wet and died on Splash Mountain (hence no more trips though time with my pictures)
3. We rode the Jungle Cruise during the evening fireworks rather than watch them
4. We rode Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride several times in a row.

How’s that for an eventful report?!

Fast forward a few years and a few children – and the urge to go to Disney comes again into my life…but finances would not allow. So, being the brilliant person that I am, I have my mom get one of us a 5 day park hopper from the Disney store each year for Christmas. We all had 5 day tickets 2 years ago – now it’s time to save for a hotel, food, souvenirs and other stuffs. Finally, can we go now?!

 

[pumba]

your photos are so great......what a great treasure to have your uncles photo on Main street.......thanks for doing this and I look forward to your vacation.....hey we are going in December too......

 

[Kat in GA]

By May of this year, we had finally made a decision to go – and October seemed like a great time to go. We figured it wouldn’t be so hot and probably not be crowded. Then somehow…I heard about free dining. I knew that would require a stay onsite – but I was not sure that that would be in our meager budget.

I borrowed the Unofficial Guide from a friend and learned more than I thought possible! I found such gems as the crowd calendar, the chuck bubba relay, and how to get a reservation at Cindy’s royal table. But the best find was the section about computer links—which brought me to Small World Vacations and the DIS…and thus began my dip into the kool-aid.

I emailed Small World to get rates to see if it was possible for us to stay anywhere other than a house or Holiday Inn – and low and behold – it was in the budget – and not only that, we could go moderate!! We made our reservation for the last week of September (the 23rd – 30th) at the Caribbean Beach.

Next step after the reservation – Dis boards! Once I started to DIS, I could not stop – it is a cult! I got my lime green Mickey heads – I read trip reports – I looked for T-shirts on the design forum – I played games on the community board - I read all 800+ pages of the food porn thread (okay…there was no reading involved) – I read every restaurant review here and on allears – I made reservations. I cancelled reservations. I made reservations again.

Now before I go further, I have something to confess. When I first started reading, I really thought – how can I make a reservation? How can I make plans for dinner when I have no idea which park I will be in on which day? Who knows what the weather will do – if it’s rainy maybe we’ll do one thing – if it’s sunny, maybe we’ll swim. My whole family thought it was so bizarre that I had to make plans – and for so many months into the future. Well, I DIS – I know I needed reservations. I consulted touring plans, figured out the crowd calendar, set a plan and made those reservations (and as I have already admitted, changed them, and then did it again!)

Because I DIS, I also knew that we would be eating A LOT of food – so Weight Watchers became the next plan and I joined online. I was quite worried about being able to fit into the rides – but my fears were somewhat soothed by reading the pages on Deb’s site (Disney at large) – and of course my new plan to have a somewhat smaller body in the next few months.

I was also worried about all the walking. I have heel spurs – and sometimes have a hard time standing in line at Target…so I began a walking plan. My first day out, I hired a teen to take my kids to the playground, while I walked on the trails at the park. Well…that did not work so well. I felt nauseous, and had to take many advils and elevate my feet so that I could walk. Hmmm…what to do?! At our local county pool – it’s almost like a water park. They have a small “lazy river” with a very strong current, so I would walk the river 3 times a week for 1 ½ hours at a time. I could do that with no pain. It was something!! But…was I ready for walking at Disney?

 

[Kat in GA]

your photos are so great......what a great treasure to have your uncles photo on Main street.......thanks for doing this and I look forward to your vacation.....hey we are going in December too......

Hi Pumba! Yippee...someone is reading my report! I am not sure what I expected as I read so many trip reports -- but never post! Such a consumate lurker!

Yes, it is great to have those photos. I pilfered them from my mom's scrapbook -- and had to figure out how to scan and upload them to photobucket. Computer genius I am not!

When are you going in December?

 

[Kat in GA]

My DIS obsession continued. I must have read for hours every day. I am an avid reader – I belong to two book clubs and probably read about 10 books a month. Well, since I started to DIS, I was down to 3ish a month. Sad, sad, sad!

In all my reading, I realized that we did not want to be at the Caribbean Beach – it was much too large – I would have to walk 5 miles just to get some Diet Coke in my refillable mug. So…a quick email to Small World…and we switched to Port Orleans, French Quarter – with a request for ground floor of building 4 – near the bus stop and food court. I am in the know!

Reservations made (and re-made) – check
Hotel decided upon – check
Hey – did you know there is a Halloween party at the same time?

We told everyone about our upcoming trip – and we talked about it so much that we would be asked “so how was your trip?” -- and then I had to tell them we still don’t go for another month (or two!)! Well…one friend had gone last year at this time – and they went to the Halloween party and said it was a must do. They have a teenage son who was able to ride Space Mountain 13 times in a row without getting off. Now that sounds like a good time (for a 13 year old boy!) – and made me think the lines would be short and it would be fun. I contemplated – we were already pushing the budget – and we might have to add another night to our vacation…hmmm.

When we first made our reservation, we thought it would be fun for other people to go to – so we tried to convince a few friends – but I finally brought my cousin Jennifer on board. She was going through a very nasty divorce – she has a young daughter – and her mom lives with her to help out – so the three of them came 'round to drink the koolaid with me – and they were all for the Halloween party. Done deal! So…how to rationalize the expense? Well…we’ll stay somewhere cheap offsite for that night (and the night before?!).

The snowball begins…Michael has taken the last week of September off – then I have him take Friday the 22nd off so that we can go early and go to the Halloween party. I figure that we can leave Friday morning. But wait, we’ll be tired. What if we leave Thursday night and drive half way…stay somewhere cheap…and drive the rest Friday morning? Hmmm…what if Michael took a half day on Thursday, and we drive straight through on Thursday and have all day Friday to do “stuff.” Katie and I have obligations on Thursday (our Latin classes), so we couldn’t leave earlier – but we had Michael take the whole day off so that he could load the car while I was teaching. So…our plan of the 23rd – 30th quickly grew to the 21st – 30th. I added another day to our reservation – but we did make a reservation for cheap offsite for Thursday night.

Next snowball…remember that we have those 5 day passes from Christmas? And then we have the one day passes that we had to buy for the dining plan. Well…what if we upgraded those to 10 day passes? Hey…what if we upgraded those to annual passes? These Christmas presents were not MYW tickets – the last one was bought 2 years ago (or was it 3?) – so what I read online made me skeptical that we could upgrade them. My travel agent assured me that I could NOT do this. But…a little more research…and some helpful posts by Cheshirefigment who works in Guest relations made me more confident that this was something I could do.

So…do we ever leave the house and go?

 

[Kat in GA]

DAY ONE: Thursday, September 21

Today is the day we FINALLY get to go. We’re packed. We have a collection of shiny pre1983 pennies, we have our names on our LGMH that are attached to our backpacks, we have lime green ponchos, glow sticks and necklaces, moleskin, our personal pharmacy for any conceivable emergency or inconvenience, tips for Mousekeeping, activity pages printed and bound for the girls to do in the car, a new digital Rebel xt camera, case of water, extra snacks, directions, tickets, and a log for my trip notes. What else could we need?!

The day started off as normal. Katie and I dropped Madalyn at kindergarten and we are off for our classes at our homeschool group. We get back home about 11:30 and have lunch while Michael loads the car – and sets the tivo to record all our favorites while we are gone. We leave a little after 1pm to pick up Madalyn from school – and then head towards I-75. Madalyn is sooo excited when we pick her up – it is actually time to go!

Just south of Locust Grove we run into our only traffic for the day. And…it wasn’t even on our side of the interstate – just everyone slowing down for a look-see. They turned the car over just before I got this photo:

My children are very into looking for state license plates – and argue incessantly about who saw it first (why?…because it annoys mom!). Well…we saw this car. What kind of license plate is this????:

The girls watch “High School Musical” and “Brother Bear 2” – I read -- there is probably some nap time involved

and we stop for dinner in Lake City, Florida at the lovely KFC buffet (yuck!). We make it to the turnpike – and just before we merge onto I-4, Michael decides his legs are stiff and he needs to walk. Yes, let’s prolong this trip! So…we find a rest stop and he and the girls get out and walk and run and jump. I stand their amused as I do not run. Or jump. FINALLY he has worked out the kinks and we get back in the car. How much longer now? Well, our exit from I-4 we did not see! We finally turn around and find it from the other direction. We have arrived to the Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. (so, who is Irlo?) We drive just a few more short miles and find our glorious accommodations – the Super 8.

It was cheap ($36 for the night) – and we got what we paid for. But we would be there less than 12 hours, so it was fine. The beds were low…not too comfortable. The air conditioning was very noisy…there are only 2 settings for the air – warm or freezing…and I am a very light sleeper…that coupled with the excitement of our trip starting…I wasn’t sleeping well. I got up to turn the air down – as I was cold as well. Then I heard what sounded like people skateboarding on the walkway past our room. I finally got up to investigate – and there is no one around. After a bit I realized that our room faced a warehouse – and what I was probably hearing was the loading and unload – lifting and closing of truck and warehouse doors. Back on the air conditioning goes so that it can become white noise – and we can get back to our meat locker like conditions.

 

[cherokeemamma]

Howdy Neighbor!!!

I live about 20-25 minutes from you. I moved from Stone Mtn to Loganville. What park to you use for walking? Is it Mtn Park? I really love all of the pool/water parks they are installing at our local parks.

We were at WDW 9/9 - 9/17 so we just missed you.

I wanted to say I am enjoying your TR. Keep up the good work.

BTW I love the pictures.

 

[Kat in GA]

Howdy Neighbor!!!

I live about 20-25 minutes from you. I moved from Stone Mtn to Loganville. What park to you use for walking? Is it Mtn Park? I really love all of the pool/water parks they are installing at our local parks.

We were at WDW 9/9 - 9/17 so we just missed you.

I wanted to say I am enjoying your TR. Keep up the good work.

BTW I love the pictures.

Howdy yourself! I have an audience of two! Thanks so much for reading! My favorite part of trip reports are all the picutres -- and it's so much easier for me to remember who the people are with a face to put to a name (especially when there are huge gaps of time between chapters - I am still waiting for VW guy to finish his engagement story ) -- there's more pics coming!

My first park walk (without the water) was at Lenora Church Park -- it's flat, so I thought that would be a good start. But I never went there again. My water walking was at Mountain Park. We also did some water walking at the Lenora Church Pool, but there is a very weak current in their lazy river - so I prefer Mountain Park.

More coming soon!

 

[JJClemson]

Kat- Great TR! Thanks so much for including the 1971 pics! How priceless! Your two girls are adorible

 

[tiggerbell]

I'M LOVING IT! MORE, MORE, MORE!!!

 

[Kat in GA]

I'M LOVING IT! MORE, MORE, MORE!!!

Hi Jamie! Thanks so much for coming to read -- your trip report was so much fun!

And welcome to JJ as well. I'm glad to know that you all are not snoozing through

 

[pumba]

Ilove the photos of your girls pretending sleep......hahaha....to excited for all Iam sure........thanks again

WE go dec.13th to the 18th......we went in May with eleven others and stayed at Movies for the eleven nights.....need this trip NOW

 

[swankybeth]

Great start! Looking forward to the next installment. Just love those old park photos!

 

[Kat in GA]

DAY 2: Friday, Sept 22

I think a recap of the cast is in order here (maybe with a few more details -- and maybe some that I should keep to myself )

Me -- Kat -- stay at home mom -- avid reader (Today's book: Getting Stoned with Savages by Maarten Troost - it's his follow up to The Sex Lives of Cannibals. If you like funny -- these are for you. Don't read on an airplane!) – scrapbooker – shopper -- planner extraordinaire

DH – Michael – engineer – quite logical – looking forward to riding things he has not done before, finding snobby beer and spicy eats – and most importantly spending the least amount of money as possible. Yes – we have a spender and a saver. Or a realist and a cheapskate Michael does all the grocery shopping as he clips the coupons and comparison shops –I think about the grocery when I am hungry and we are out of food!

DD – 8 – Katie – drama queen, scary smart, very gregarious – she’ll talk to anyone who will listen – and even those that don’t. Also very generous – she is always thinking of her sister – and always willing to do things for her (which makes her sister lazy!).

DD – 5 – Madalyn – pouty, grumpy, moody, and the reason we do not have three children. (Oh…I did NOT just say that!) Is very competitive with her sister (but her sister does not play that game). She loves to cuddle – and can be very sweet, when in the mood. But I do savor the precious few times it does happen! Madalyn is also quite extroverted – and has lots of friends – and boy friends! I think all her moodiness is just saved for moi. And let’s interrupt this recap for a Madalyn story. I actually posted this on the community board a few months ago when a thread was started about the funny things that kids say. This one still makes me chuckle – and makes my husband frantic with worry:

One evening over the summer I was driving with the kids home from the pool, and my oldest asked me: “so Mom…tell me again how EXACTLY does the sperm get to the egg?” I had already gone over this with her…but what the hay…so I go into the details of the logistics of this – explaining that this is what a man and woman do (when they are married ) to show how much they love each other. Katie starts going into convulsions – yuck, how gross – “why would you do THAT to show love” nasty, nasty (yes – some good parenting going on here!). So…why you ask is this a Madalyn story?! Because of the next question posed: So…Madalyn is listening to all this and says: “So…how’s that feel???!!” (What ARE we in for?!! )

So…now that that is out of the way…on with the show:

Friday morning…we get up and get showered and head out the door. We had packed a small suitcase to bring in and left most everything out in the car. We were out the door by 9am! We made a quick u-turn for a gourmet feast of biscuits from Mickey D’s. Michael realized this morning while getting dressed that he forgot to bring deodorant – and that he does not really like to use mine -- so it’s off to Publix. We wait in the car and eat our breakfast while he goes inside. I call my mom – who wanted to be updated every 15 minutes to let her know what exciting events have taken place so far. Also…last night we realized that we forgot to bring the usb cable for Katie’s camera (it’s a different type than mine) – so Mom is planning to have it sent overnight to our hotel (gotta love Mom!).

Finally we are on our way again. I was so excited to see the "arch" -- I have seen this photo in sooo many trip reports -- I could not wait to have my own version:

You'll notice that mine is quite special. You can see a dead love bug on mine.

We find our resort:

And go through the guard station and park near the entrance. I go to check in, and Michael and the girls check out the lobby:

And outside:

Do you see the kids in the above picture? I almost didn't when I first saw it!

And check out the Disney TV:

You’d think with all these photos that I was in line a long time – but I was not! When it was finally my turn to check in, the CM (whose name I don’t recall) says our room is ready. What?!! It’s 10 in the AM – and it’s ready?! So…I casually say “So…did we get all our requests?” They were trying to put us in building 1, 3rd floor. What?! I have a walking issue – and I had requested building four, 1st floor, close to the food court and bus stop. The CM click clicks on the computer. My cousin is arriving via Magical express noonish – and we had asked for our reservations to be linked – not our rooms -- so by deleting that request for adjoining rooms, things appear to get easier. Ahhh, Pixie Dust , they find 2 rooms in building 4 – 2nd floor. Well…close enough! And guess what? That room is ready, too. My cousin’s room is on level two as well, just around the corner. So…off we head to find our room.

Our view from the room:

Michael and Katie go to move the car and to see if they can get a cart to bring all our stuff up to the room. Madalyn and I hang out and take the above pictures – and this one too:

Michael comes back with the first load of stuff. Bell services does not lend carts – but they will come to the car and bring the luggage to the room. Does Michael do this? Well, of course not – he could save a $5 tip and do it himself. Well...I am not helping with the lugging of any luggage anywhere that someone else might do for me . I would happily part with $5. It took him about 6 trips – and he had some child helpers along the way to carry those heavy pillows.

Now that he is all sweaty and gross – let’s go get some free dining!

 

[Kat in GA]

Ilove the photos of your girls pretending sleep......hahaha....to excited for all Iam sure........thanks again

WE go dec.13th to the 18th......we went in May with eleven others and stayed at Movies for the eleven nights.....need this trip NOW

Pretending?!! Madalyn requires so much sleep -- or she is moodier and grouchier than normal. If we go anywhere in the car in the afternoon, she falls asleep -- which means she won't sleep at bedtime -- and starts this awful viscious cycle. Katie on the other hand could probably get by with 7 hours a night and be just fine.

I know what you mean about needing a trip! I was actually sad before our trip -- because I knew it would be over soon! I am sooo excited to be planning this surprise trip for the first week of January. Except that I am not one to keep a secret -- it's killing me -- so that is why I have to tell all of you!

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Okay, I haven't been able to read it all yet (it's late, yawn!), but I wanted you to know that I'm following your adventures also!

And I loved the pics from POFQ - we stayed there last year and LOVED it. My husband even said this year, after staying at OKW that he thinks he might have preferred the French Quarter. (Really, he wants the villa at OKW placed in the French Quarter oh-so-small-and-convenient set-up!)

 

[Cass]

Hi Kat, great trip report so far and wonderful pics, can you do something in Latin for us though?

WE go dec.13th to the 18th......

Hey Pumba, we are there the 13th - 19th

 

[NewOrleansLady]

I am enjoying your trip report! Some more please!

BTW, your girls are beautiful. I have two redheads myself!

 

[Kat in GA]

Great start! Looking forward to the next installment. Just love those old park photos!

Maybe I need to peruse more of Mom's scrapbooks to see if I can add more trips down memory lane! Thanks for reading along...

 

[Kat in GA]

Okay, I haven't been able to read it all yet (it's late, yawn!), but I wanted you to know that I'm following your adventures also!

And I loved the pics from POFQ - we stayed there last year and LOVED it. My husband even said this year, after staying at OKW that he thinks he might have preferred the French Quarter. (Really, he wants the villa at OKW placed in the French Quarter oh-so-small-and-convenient set-up!)

I have just caught up on your trip report -- so sorry about your dog. Talking to your children about the circle of life is never easy (and not made easier by being at Bob Evans! )

We LOVED POFQ -- so lush and beautiful -- and convenient -- and not a lot of walking. And they have big-nits (according to my daughters!).