mackeysmom
Let's Go Mets!
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2003
- Messages
- 1,030
Cast of Characters:
Laura (me) - age 34
Joseph - age 7 - my nephew/Godson
The original plan - Breakfast at the hotel, Tiffany Towncar pickup, JetBlue flight home.
What really happened - well, today we actually followed our original plan. Not that we could vary it too much.
We got up and did some last minute packing. We headed over to the food court for breakfast (let's say it all together now "Pancakes and bacon for Joseph and french toast for me"). Joseph got another fake tattoo and we picked up some last minute gifts in the gift shop.
We took advantage of Express Check Out and wheeled our luggage to the front of the hotel. Monica from Tiffany Towncar was there and we headed off to the airport. We stopped in a few gift shops and before we knew it, it was time to board the plane. The flight was uneventful, and once again I say "Thank God for Direct TV and JetBlue". Our car was waiting for us at JFK, and we were home by 3:30.
Various thoughts and ramblings -
I am a Port Orleans kind of girl. Whenever possible, that is my hotel of choice (except for last December when my cousin Annmarie and I split our time between The Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Wilderness Lodge.) That being said, it was a bit jarring to stay at the All Star Movies. However, Joseph loved it and thought it was "cool". For that reason alone, I will probably stay there in a few years when I do a repeat of this trip with my niece Carmela.
The food court was crazy - especially at breakfast time. The only reason I got french toast everyday was because it was served at the same counter that served Joseph's pancakes. The thought of waiting on two lines (and subjecting Joseph to the wait) wasn't worth it. However, the selection and quality of food was not bad at all.
The crowds were negligible and very manageable. Even when the parks were crowded, Joseph and I always seemed to be one step ahead of the throngs of people. Luck? Good planning? Who knows - all I know is it worked for us. I think the parks can be overwhelming for kids and was glad that I didn't have to subject Joseph to 40+ minute waits for a 3 minute ride.
$$$ - wow, I went through a lot of money on this trip. Much more than I thought I would. Little things just added up, not to mention the fact that I bought Joseph a lot of stuff. In all fairness, Joseph had saved up some money and came with $105.00 in his wallet. That, however, was spent the very first day. That then made it my responsibility to purchase his souvenirs for his sisters, mom, dad, cat and dog. I had told Joseph that I would buy him whatever he wanted, but to make wise choices. He did and I kept to my end of the bargain.
Adult Trip vs. Kid Trip -- Once I committed to the fact that it was Joseph's trip and not my trip, I had no problem "going with the flow". I surprised myself - those who know me best were quite taken back by my "whatever happens, happens" attitude. In reality, I've been to WDW enough time and have seen adults dragging their screaming/tired/bored kids around to know that it would not have been fair to do that to Joseph. The bottom line is, I was there 3 months ago and that was "my" trip.
That being said, I came home from this trip wanting another (adult trip) right away. Being so close to Tower of Terror and not riding it, knowing that the cheese soup from La Cellier was so close but not being able to get it, the thought of bypassing the security line because I don't have a bagful of things to lug around for a seven-year old - these are all things that have made my desire to return shortly very strong. Annmarie and I have an October 2005 trip planned, but I'm going to try to work something in this year, even if it means going by myself for a few days at Thanksgiving.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. And I will - 3 years from now when Carmela is 7 years old, and 4 years from now when Julia is 7. In the meantime, I will go back to being an "obsessive, compulsive Disney planner". Hmm, I wonder what I will get to eat next October when Annmarie and I go to the Prime Time '50's - pot roast or fried chicken?
Laura (me) - age 34
Joseph - age 7 - my nephew/Godson
The original plan - Breakfast at the hotel, Tiffany Towncar pickup, JetBlue flight home.
What really happened - well, today we actually followed our original plan. Not that we could vary it too much.
We got up and did some last minute packing. We headed over to the food court for breakfast (let's say it all together now "Pancakes and bacon for Joseph and french toast for me"). Joseph got another fake tattoo and we picked up some last minute gifts in the gift shop.
We took advantage of Express Check Out and wheeled our luggage to the front of the hotel. Monica from Tiffany Towncar was there and we headed off to the airport. We stopped in a few gift shops and before we knew it, it was time to board the plane. The flight was uneventful, and once again I say "Thank God for Direct TV and JetBlue". Our car was waiting for us at JFK, and we were home by 3:30.
Various thoughts and ramblings -
I am a Port Orleans kind of girl. Whenever possible, that is my hotel of choice (except for last December when my cousin Annmarie and I split our time between The Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Wilderness Lodge.) That being said, it was a bit jarring to stay at the All Star Movies. However, Joseph loved it and thought it was "cool". For that reason alone, I will probably stay there in a few years when I do a repeat of this trip with my niece Carmela.
The food court was crazy - especially at breakfast time. The only reason I got french toast everyday was because it was served at the same counter that served Joseph's pancakes. The thought of waiting on two lines (and subjecting Joseph to the wait) wasn't worth it. However, the selection and quality of food was not bad at all.
The crowds were negligible and very manageable. Even when the parks were crowded, Joseph and I always seemed to be one step ahead of the throngs of people. Luck? Good planning? Who knows - all I know is it worked for us. I think the parks can be overwhelming for kids and was glad that I didn't have to subject Joseph to 40+ minute waits for a 3 minute ride.
$$$ - wow, I went through a lot of money on this trip. Much more than I thought I would. Little things just added up, not to mention the fact that I bought Joseph a lot of stuff. In all fairness, Joseph had saved up some money and came with $105.00 in his wallet. That, however, was spent the very first day. That then made it my responsibility to purchase his souvenirs for his sisters, mom, dad, cat and dog. I had told Joseph that I would buy him whatever he wanted, but to make wise choices. He did and I kept to my end of the bargain.
Adult Trip vs. Kid Trip -- Once I committed to the fact that it was Joseph's trip and not my trip, I had no problem "going with the flow". I surprised myself - those who know me best were quite taken back by my "whatever happens, happens" attitude. In reality, I've been to WDW enough time and have seen adults dragging their screaming/tired/bored kids around to know that it would not have been fair to do that to Joseph. The bottom line is, I was there 3 months ago and that was "my" trip.
That being said, I came home from this trip wanting another (adult trip) right away. Being so close to Tower of Terror and not riding it, knowing that the cheese soup from La Cellier was so close but not being able to get it, the thought of bypassing the security line because I don't have a bagful of things to lug around for a seven-year old - these are all things that have made my desire to return shortly very strong. Annmarie and I have an October 2005 trip planned, but I'm going to try to work something in this year, even if it means going by myself for a few days at Thanksgiving.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. And I will - 3 years from now when Carmela is 7 years old, and 4 years from now when Julia is 7. In the meantime, I will go back to being an "obsessive, compulsive Disney planner". Hmm, I wonder what I will get to eat next October when Annmarie and I go to the Prime Time '50's - pot roast or fried chicken?
I know what I'm having at 50's Prime Time - Fried Chicken. Let's just hope Nicole sits through an entire lunch, lol.
