Mom and Dad Take on the World...Alone!

[wvdislover]

Alright, this is my first trip report, so be patient with me while I figure out how to do everything. I love to talk, so things could get a bit long. I'll try to make them fun, though. So, let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...

OK, we went to WDW in June of '06 for DD6's first trip (she was getting ready to turn 5 then). We'd been planning it for 4 years, since we took her DSis when she was about the same age, and thought it was a great age for Disney. At the end of our trip, DH says, "Well, hope you've all had a great time, b/c we probably won't be back for another 4 years." WHAT!?! 4 YEARS!?! I can't wait that long!

So, fast forward about 5 months. Our neighbors who live across the street from us have started planning a trip to WDW (their first). They just casually mention one day, "Hey, you guys ought to go with us." Well, of course, I say, OK! DH just kind of joked around about it. Then we went back to our house and he asked our DD's, "Would you guys like to go to Disney with DF (who will remain unnamed at this time)?" Of course, our girls are like, YEAH!!! I turned to DH and gave him "the look" and said, "Do you realize what you just did?!" He told them a few days later that we weren't going with them and that we couldn't go--it was too much money, and we just got back recently. But, we kept talking about it (OK, me more than him). Long story short, I convinced him to go, but I had to pay for it. I figured, though, that if I was paying for it, I would stay where I wanted to stay--Animal Kingdom Lodge!!! So, I worked for the next several months both before and after the trip to get it paid off (gotta love that Disney Visa!). Oh yeah, we decided not to tell the girls we were going and surprise them. DD10 figured out that we were going, but not when, so I just threatened her with her life and told her that she'd BETTER NOT tell her sister. I can't believe she actually kept the secret, although she did tease me a few times and "almost" tell her sister. We told them 2 days before we left, b/c we needed their help packing their stuff (they can get a bit obsessive about certain things they want to take and we didn't want to deal with "but why didn't you bring ***, I really wanted to wear/have it!" We had a great trip and were able to stay at WDW for 10 nights!!! Going with friends actually worked rather well, too. The girls had a ball together, and we did a lot of stuff with them and some stuff on our own. Touring the World takes a lot longer with 8 people (one of who was only 1 yr. old) than with 4 people, so the next family trip may be just our family again. We'll see...if someone asks us to tag along...who knows?

Well, that's the extremely brief version of the TR I wanted to do after that trip, but I was too busy working to pay off the trip to do my TR!

Fast forward a few more months...our annual company seminar was going to be in Orlando again, so we decided to extend the trip by a few days and do WDW, just the 2 of us, for our once-a-year Mommy/Daddy trip and celebrate our 17th anniversary a couple of weeks late (better late than never!). It was our chance to do the things we always want to do at WDW that we can't really do with the kids with us, either b/c of age restraints, or just b/c they don't want to do it!

The cast of this trip is as follows (the girls are included, even though they weren't there, since we spent a lot of the trip talking about them):
Me (Dory)
DH (Goofy)
DD10 (Violet)
DD6 (Tinkerbell)

Hope everyone enjoys my TR!

 

[wvdislover]

OK, so I spent some time planning this trip, but not as much as last trip b/c, obviously, 11 days takes more planning than 4 days. I scheduled us to get in to Orlando as early as possible, which of course means that we had to leave while it was still dark. We got to the airport at 4:30 am (note, I am NOT a morning person!), but it was worth it b/c WE WERE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD!!! I grabbed some breakfast after going through security and ate quickly before getting on the plane. We had to sit on the plane a while and wait for them to de-ice us, since it was like 16 degrees outside As soon as the plane took off, I zonked out. I'm not sure if it was b/c of the Dramamine I took or b/c I went to bed at like 2:30am and then got up around 3:45 It's amazing how fast a flight goes when you're snoozing!

We had a short layover in Atlanta before heading to MCO. I got off the plane, still half-asleep, took the train to the next concourse, being held up by the pole you're supposed to hold while the train is moving, and then went with DH to our next gate. He went to get himself some breakfast, then came back and sat down. Suddenly, he started looking around his backpack for something. I asked him what he was looking for, and he told me he had left our boarding passes on the plane. And he's supposed to be the sensible one! He sat there waiting for me to freak out about it, but was surprised by my amazing sense of calmness. I walked up to the desk, told them what had happened, and they gave me new boarding passes. (He had forgotten that just a year ago, I had lost my boarding pass in the bathroom, freaked out, then found out how easy it is to just get a new one!). So, with that crisis past, we boarded our plane and headed for the Magic! I think I actually fell asleep before the plane even took off--I don't really remember takeoff, just thinking, "When is this plane going to leave the ground? Oh, it already has." Again, I slept through this flight, too, so I was pretty well rested by the time we arrived at MCO.

We got off the plane, checking to make sure we had EVERYTHING this time and headed to Magical Express. Somehow (maybe we were still really tired), we went down too many floors and totally missed Magical Express. We went back up and easily found the sign. We headed to the real location this time, and, how did we miss this?!? There were people everywhere! There was a huge school group standing there, so I quickly got in line so I could get ahead of them. The line still looked really long, but amazingly, I got through the line in like 10 minutes (why can't the lines at Wal-Mart move that quickly?). We got in the line for Coronado Springs and were first in line! This looked like a good sign, since the other bus lines looked pretty long. We only had to wait about 10 or 15 minutes before our bus arrived. I had forgotten that this bus went to Pop Century, CSR, and AKL.

I thought blissfully of the awesome time we had had at AKL just months earlier, wishing we were going back there, but, alas, rates during President's Day Weekend were just too high. I wished we could at least go there and visit a bit during this trip. I needed to retake some of my pictures inside that didn't come out well, and I had a new camera now. But we only had a short time at WDW that didn't really allow for extra resort-visiting time.

So, back to the bus ride. Magical Express, what a great idea! On our first trip with Violet, we had to pay like $50 apiece for the Mears shuttle, so we were really liking the free Magical Express! That is, until the bus started. I don't know what the deal was with our driver. Either he was new, or he just couldn't drive. This might be a good time to tell you that DH has issues with dizziness and vertigo off and on (it was really bad when we brought Tinkerbell for her first trip). Our ME driver rode the brakes the ENTIRE time we were on the bus! We jerked our whole way to Pop Century. Needless to say, DH was on the verge of losing it about 10 minutes into the trip. As we arrived at Pop, the man sitting across from us looked at us and said, "It's like being on the chuckwagon! At least, now you can say you've been on your first ride at Disney." My DH laughed a little, trying to be polite. That man got to get off and stay. DH said "I think I may have to get off now." We decided to stay on, though, and see what the next stop was. Coronado Springs! Thank goodness! I didn't think Goofy could handle much more of this. We started down the road and just off to the right was the exit for CSR. We went to the left. WAIT! You're going the wrong way! We headed to AKL instead. I very gently told Goofy, "The driver just missed our turn. We're going to AKL instead." Needless to say, as soon as we pulled up, Goofy looked at me and said, "I'm getting off this bus here. You can stay on if you want, and I'll just meet you later." We both got off. I mean, I was back at AKL! Isn't this what I had wanted? I said, "Can I go in the shop and get Violet the shirt she decided she wanted (after we got home)?" I did that and then met him on the couches. He said, "Why don't we just stay here?" I wish we could have! But I also knew how much rooms were for this weekend. Also, I'm actually trying to get a job with a Disney travel agency, which shall go unnamed at this time, and I have to stay at several different resorts to qualify for a position with the agency, which is another reason we were doing CSR, rather than AKL again. Otherwise, I would have gladly taken him up on the offer. For those of you who have stayed at AKL, it was just like being home again! Oh well, enough reminiscing. While we were there, I was able to retake my pictures with my new camera (I haven't downloaded them yet, so I'll have to add them later after I do that and figure out how to actually put them in here. If someone wants to PM me and tell me how to do that, I'd really appreciate it).

After sitting there for a few minutes dreaming about when we could stay there again (yes, I'd stay there again in a heartbeat!), we went out to catch a bus to AK, and then catch a bus from there to CSR to check in! This bus ride was so much better, but it would take DH almost a whole day to recover. I felt really bad for him. The bus came quickly and we got started on our vacation! CSR and Disneyworld, here we come!!

 

[IATink]

I am glad to hear your trip with friends went well. Our next trip is going to be with friends. We are meeting them in Florida, they are flying and we are driving. I'm sure it will take us longer to do things in the parks, but we're looking forward to it!

Can't wait to read all about your trip without kids. My DH and I did that a few years ago. He had a conference at the Coronado. We liked it, but we missed our kids a lot. It was just a whole different experience.

 

[wvdislover]

You're right, it is a whole different experience. We decided that we like being there with our kids more. The "magic" really wasn't there without them. It was nice having the time alone, though.

 

[DL55]

Isn't it amazing how early you can get up when you're going to WDW? Glad you didn't have any major problems except the ME driver.

 

[ncsjodi]

You're right, it is a whole different experience. We decided that we like being there with our kids more. The "magic" really wasn't there without them. It was nice having the time alone, though.

We went on a no-kids trip in December for our 10th anniversary and I have to say that I think the "magic" was there for us. We acted like kids and had a great time! It's too hard to just let loose and have fun with two kids watching you all the time!

 

[wvdislover]

I don't know...maybe it was b/c there were so many people there When we went back in September, there was hardly anyone there. This time, we were there during a holiday weekend. I actually find it easier to act like a kid when I'm with my kids, especially my DD6. My DH is quite the comedian (hence, the nickname Goofy), so our life is never boring. I think he feels like he has to act like an adult when it's just the two of us.

 

[DL55]

If there's another visit w/o kids, you tell your DH to act like the child he wants to be! Don't stifle himself to be adult. Don't have to be a role model!

 

[momtoccc]

Looking forward to reading more - we are doing the same thing in April. My company has a meeting in Orlando so I'm going to fly out and do that for 3 days and then DH is going to fly out and meet me and we are going to spend 3 extra days at WDW! We did the family trip with our dd (4) last November. This time we are going to do the grown-up things we didn't get to do before. I'm anxious to hear how your trip turned out!

 

[blue_river]

Sorry I'm late.

Too bad for your DH having to endure the bus ride with a new driver

Not sure if anyone has PM'd you re: uploading pictures. If you still need help let me know.

Looking forward to more

 

[mom2mek]

I'm subscribing! Sounds like fun! Can't wait to hear (and see - hint, hint) more.

Sara

 

[heaven2dc]

I'm in! Your poor husband - hope he felt better after getting off the bus.

 

[wvdislover]

Hi everyone! Welcome to my party! Hopefully I can work on it a little more tomorrow, since I don't have to work tomorrow (kids have a 1/2 day of school).

 

[Momof2princess]

I'm in too!!! DH and I are doing an adults only WDW trip in April so I can't wait to hear how your trip was.

 

[Loriann70]

Joining in on the fun! Can't wait to read more! Pics too Pleasssseeee

Lori

 

[wvdislover]

OK, here goes...When I left off, we were leaving AKL to ride the bus to AK to catch a bus to CSR. Easy beezy, no problems. As we pulled up to CSR, DH and I commented that it's interesting that all of the mods look exactly alike, just with different decor. We got off the bus at bus stop #1 (after stopping at stops #3 and 4--the bus goes in a circle around the resort). We walked into the lobby to check in and once again, LOTS OF PEOPLE!!! I'm already thinking how much I like September better than February. When I checked in at AKL back in September, I was the only one in line. Now, there were like 25 people in line in front of me! I figured I'd be in line for like 45 minutes. But the parks were calling my name! I NEED to get there! Then, some man behind me (who looks like he's never been to a resort before in his life!) asks me, "Are you with Noni (pronounced Noony)?" "Uh, no (as I wonder what in the world Noni is)." So, that's where all these people came from. A convention that I did not see listed on Buzz's website Wonder where they came from? They were everywhere! Didn't cause any problems, though, fortunately. Amazingly enough, I got through the line in only about 10 or 15 minutes and got checked in quickly. AND, our room was already ready--Casita 5, King-sized bed!

I collected Goofy, who was still recovering from the dreaded ME bus ride, and we walked to our room. For those of you who have never stayed at CSR, it is a beautiful resort surrounding a lake. It was nice and breezy walking around the lake to our casita, and then we took the elevator to our 2nd floor room (the nice thing about CSR--only mod with elevators). It was a nice room with a view of the lake outside the door. We collapsed on the bed for a few minutes to recover from our already full day (and it was only like 11am now!). We were getting ready to leave to go eat lunch when our luggage arrived! I changed out a couple of things, now that I had all my stuff (a camera, a jacket, and my inhaler--one of those things you don't leave home without, especially when you're getting over the respiratory crud), then we left for lunch at Pepper Market. If you haven't been there, it is quite interesting. You go in and get seated at a table, as though you were at a TS restaurant, and they take your drink order. Then, your server gives you a card that you take over to the food court area and pick what you want to eat. They have a wide variety from salads to asian food or mexican food, to a grill, to a deli, bakery, and more. You just pick the line that has what you want, order it, have your card stamped, then you stand there and wait on your food. Unfortunately, a bunch of people from the Noni convention had decided to eat at the same time we had, so it was like a mob scene waiting for your food after you'd ordered it. Finally, I got my food and sat down to join Goofy for lunch. He'd gotten pizza (usual choice for him) and I'd gotten a steak sandwich, which was really good, and then we had M&M cookies for dessert (they didn't have a whole lot of dessert choices for Disney Dining Plan--basically cookies or a pastry. No little cakes or brownies, which was disappointing. The key lime pie they had looked really good, but I was not about to pay for a dessert when I got one for free!). Now that we were refreshed, it was off to the parks!

We decided to hit the Studios first. We didn't get to spend a whole lot of time there when we went in September. It was extrememly hot when we were there, and Violet had a major meltdown on us and Tinkerbell had her own issues (think hot, miserable 6 year old) So, anyways we go on the bus quickly and got started. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that when I checked in, I told them it was our anniverary (ok, so it was actually a couple of weeks ago, but who's checking), so they gave us Anniversary pins to wear. I put mine on, hoping it might work some magic for us during the day (it works for other people, why not me?), but Goofy was not about to wear one Maybe I should rename him Grumpy Ok, I'll be nice--he can stay Goofy. We didn't get anything really magical from me wearing it, but we did have several people wish us Happy Anniversary, which was fun!

We got to the Studios in about 10 minutes and went on in, glad to not have any bags to check, definitely an advantage to travelling without kids! Maybe they'll be old enough next time we go that we can convince them they don't need to take anything with them to the parks Ok, maybe not. We each had some things we wanted to do while we were here. On the list were: see the HSM 2 show (when we were here in Sept, they were in between shutting down HSM 1 and starting HSM 2, so no HSM show at all), I wanted to do the Disney Animation drawing class, Goofy wanted to look for a Four for a Dollar CD (the group that opens for Beauty and the Beast), Little Mermaid (I love this show, but Tinkerbell didn't want to see it because they "sprinkle you"; strangely enough, they must have cut out this part, b/c we didn't get wet this time ) We were able to get all of this done, plus we got our pics made with Mr and Mrs Incredible (something else Violet and Tinkerbell didn't want to do. I must have the strangest 2 children in the world ) and had time to look around the Disney Animation store. While I was in there, I found the coolest picture. It was a shot of the land that was to become WDW with a faint photo of Walt Disney and Cinderella Castle behind him. On the bottom, it said VISION with the quote: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible" by Walt Disney himself. I wanted this picture SO MUCH!!! But, Goofy said he wanted to think about it--it was $25, unframed, and where would we put it? I don't know, but I wanted it! I decided not to push it, though. Who wants to have an argument at WDW? We figured we could find it elsewhere if we decided to get it. We also watched the parade, which we haven't done in our past few trips, so that was fun to do and we got lots of character pics for the girls (maybe we should show those to them ) After we got all of our "stuff" done, it was almost time for our ADR at O'hana's at the Poly! I had tried to get in here back in September, but couldn't get in, so I was really excited to go here this time. We decided to take a bus to MK and then take the boat to the Poly ( a bit more romantic than just taking a bus to the Poly, and besides, not only were we celebrating our anniversary, it was Valentine's Day!!! ), since we still had some time to kill before our ADR. It was getting a bit chilly, so we put on our jackets and enjoyed our boat ride. We had a few minutes to walk through the grounds of the Poly and listen to the live music outside of O'hana's, then it was time for us to sit down for dinner! Yum!!!

Next up...dinner at O'hana's and my near-death experience

 

[DL55]

Enjoying this installment. Felt like I was there. I'm sure my DH wouldn't wear the pin either.
What happened? Don't leave us in suspense.

 

[mom2mek]

Great update! (I don't know if you watch Saturday Night Live or not, but the Noni part made me think of one of their stranger skits with the couple who both have the name Nooni or Noony ).

Anyways, sounds like a fun afternoon at the Studios. We have never done the Animation thing before, so I am looking forward to that next time we get to go. I have the Four For A Dollar CD (although they are called Return 2 Zero) - it's great! Love them!

Great cliffhanger at the end! I hope you're joking though!

Looking forward to more.

Sara

 

[The Disney Fanatic]

I'm In! This is a very interesting and fun TR. The only times that I have been to WDW was either as a kid or with my wife and son. It would be nice to be able to ride Tower Of Terror or Dinosaur together with my wife and not go through the "Baby Swap" line. Can't wait to hear about O'hanas. We loved it there in December!!!!!!!

 

[Phedre]

Great tr so far!! I totally feel for your dh about the ME bus ride! I get super car sick and I was always wondering if people had problems with the bus ride. I think from your story, I'll just always have to stick with renting a car. Car sick is not how I want to start my trip Can't wait to read more