NMAmy's Spring Break 2010 Trip Report--Girls Gone Mild! Update 5/18

[NMAmy]

I can never come up with a catchy title for my trip reports. It’s a curse. I’d like to invite anyone who reads this to submit a catchy title. I reserve the right to change it every time a new title takes my fancy.

So, while I can’t come up with a catchy title, I do make a promise to you, faithful trip report friends. I’ll finish. And, I’ll finish in a timely manner. Once I begin, I’m very good about updating fairly often unless some major life event occurs. I always like to leave myself an out, you know. Just in case.

Okay, down to basics. We make our annual WDW pilgrimage every spring partly in an effort to escape at least a week’s worth of Michigan winter weather and also to accommodate DD’s school schedule. She graduated from high school last year so I was fairly sure that might be our last family Disney vacation for a few years. So, imagine my surprise when my 19 yo darling child called me from college in New Mexico back in October. Well, I wasn’t surprised that she called—she calls several times a week(usually requesting money and professing undying love for her mommy but this particular time, she asked me, “Mom, do you think we could go to Disney World for spring break this year?”

Wait. WHAT? She’s a college girl now. She’s supposed to call me and nonchalantly say, “Oh, by the way, Mom, I’m going to Mexico for spring break with three boys. They’re JUST friends! JEEZ, you are SO square.” Okay, she probably wouldn’t say square. I think I’m flashing back to Leave It To Beaver or my older sister’s childhood. I know some people here believe I’m really a 90 yo woman but I was not a teenager in the 1950’s.

But, no, my ears were not deceiving me. Not only did she want to go on vacation with us but she had a friend who wanted to come along, as well. A sort of Girls Gone Mild vacation, if you will. And miracle of miracles, the child was actually discussing this with me SIX months in advance of the trip! This was a first for me—planning ahead of time? Not having to pull teeth to get her to agree to the dates? Being able to book airfare at a fairly reasonable price? This was a whole new world for me!

So, to get back on track—because you probably want to know just who is going on this trip, don’t you? I just realized that I hadn’t uploaded any pictures of the four of us yet but I’ll add one tonight. I’m Amy, 40-something. My darling husband is Alex, 50-something. Caitlin is 19 and Brittany, one of her college friends, is 19, as well. And re-reading this, I see I've given us the most boring descriptions imaginable. We're fun, though, you'll see.

Now hold onto your hat. I actually booked my ADR’s at close to the six month mark. Now, granted, they JUST made the change from 90 to 180 days in October. I did give it a few days for everyone else to work the bugs out of the system for me. Then, I hopped online and booked everything at the exact time I wanted it. Le Cellier? No problem! Heck, even CRT had openings. We decided to skip it but still. It was there if we wanted it. What a crazy experience!

And can I just take a quick moment to say how much I heart being able to make ADR’s online? I don’t like to talk on the phone. I avoid it at all costs so this made my life much less stressful.

So, the plans were made. The hotels were booked. Yes, that’s right, I said hotels. Because, really, what fun is a vacation unless you can move hotels three times? Alex & I went to Detroit a night early and stayed at an airport hotel. March 19 was our arrival date and we stayed at Pop. And then March 20 – 27 at the Boardwalk Villas. Really, Alex and I were the only ones who moved three times but it sounds like there was a lot of stress and trouble involved, doesn’t it? And trip reports need drama.

On with the show! And, don’t worry, there will be pictures soon. Promise. I uploaded them this morning.

 

[hucifer]

First!

Now I have to go read it...

I can never come up with a catchy title for my trip reports. It’s a curse. I’d like to invite anyone who reads this to submit a catchy title. I reserve the right to change it every time a new title takes my fancy.

You're much more clever than that. Surely we could dig up something from this post, can't we?

Girls Gone Mild vacation

Bingo.

So, while I can’t come up with a catchy title, I do make a promise to you, faithful trip report friends. I’ll finish. And, I’ll finish in a timely manner.

Ouch.

She’s a college girl now. She’s supposed to call me and nonchalantly say, “Oh, by the way, Mom, I’m going to Mexico for spring break with three boys. They’re JUST friends! JEEZ, you are SO square.”

I always thought you were a groovy, happening kind of gal.

And re-reading this, I see I've given us the most boring descriptions imaginable. We're fun, though, you'll see.

I'm liking this stream of consciousness way of writing.

The hotels were booked. Yes, that’s right, I said hotels. Because, really, what fun is a vacation unless you can move hotels three times?

I don't know how people do that.

Really, Alex and I were the only ones who moved three times but it sounds like there was a lot of stress and trouble involved, doesn’t it? And trip reports need drama.

Yep.


Let's go!

 

[tigerdragon]

Well of course I have to join in! I can't wait to read more!

 

[NMAmy]

First!

Woo hoo! You win!

You're much more clever than that. Surely we could dig up something from this post, can't we?

Bingo.

Girls Gone Mild, it is!

Ouch.

That was not directed at you. I have total faith that you'll finish. It was directed at those that don't finish. I'm not naming any names, mind you.

I always thought you were a groovy, happening kind of gal.

Oh, I am.

I'm liking this stream of consciousness way of writing.

Me, too. Let's see how long I can keep it up!

I don't know how people do that..

I don't enjoy it--I kind of kick into drill sargeant mode. Actually, none of us enjoys it.

Well of course I have to join in! I can't wait to read more!

Welcome! I'm glad you're reading along!

 

[NMAmy]

Thursday, March 18, 2010

After the longest work day ever, I picked Alex up at 3:00 and we went to East Lansing to catch the shuttle to the Detroit Airport. It was such a relief when we were able to park the car, grab a quick dinner, pick up some books at the bookstore, get on the bus, and know we were on vacation. FINALLY.

Alex, of course, was asleep before the bus had pulled out and I was just settling in on the bus and had begun one of my new books I’d been hoarding to read on vacation when my cell phone rang. It was Caitlin.

Caitlin: “Mom, how do you cook artichokes?”

Me: “I thought you were studying for an exam and packing. And you don’t even have a kitchen, where are you making artichokes?”

Caitlin: “I was just talking to this friend of mine and he said this girl was making artichokes and she didn’t know how to cook them so he told her to ask me because my mom knew how.”

Who knew I was famous on New Mexico college campuses as being a woman who knows how to cook an artichoke? It was hard to hear on the bus so I never did get the whole story of HOW exactly this guy knew I had this skill but I passed on the directions. So, artichoke crisis averted and I was able to get back to my book.

We got a great deal on the Westin which is right in the airport. As I checked in, the guy started bombarding me with questions.

“Would you like a view of the airplanes or the atrium?” “Quiet or close to the elevators?” Seeing my look of confusion, he very efficiently said, “I have a room that’s quiet but not far from the elevators.” If I were asked these questions at a Disney hotel, I’d have a pretty pat answer all ready for them (not that that has ever happened) but at the airport hotel, I don’t really have strong feelings on my room location.

We settled in and went to sleep pretty quickly since we were pretty tuckered out. Around 1:00 a.m, I got another call from Caitlin.

Cait: “MOM! There was a fire in the dorm!”
Me: “Are you okay?”
Cait: “I’m fine. But it was in the basement and I can’t do my laundry and I have nothing clean to take with me!”
Me: “Wait. WHAT?”
Cait: (speaking slowly and loudly as if to a person of low intellectual ability or someone she’d just woken out of a really sound sleep) “Mom. There was a fire in the basement of the dorm. I can’t do my laundry.”
Me: “Why did you wait until 11:00 at night to start your laundry? Never mind, we’ll have a washer in the villa but you’ll have to wear dirty clothes until Saturday. Now I’m going back to sleep.”

Alex asked if everything was okay and when I explained it, he replied, “Likely story.” Yeah, he’s met her before.

Friday, March 19, 2010

We woke up early and had that whole “Woo Hoo, we’re going to Disney World, who needs to sleep” thing going on. We went to the hotel restaurant ostensibly for breakfast but mainly for caffeine. The waitress was not pleased with us for each ordering a toast plate instead of a full meal. Whatever, woman, just bring the coffee and the Diet Coke and keep ‘em coming. I guess we could have really ticked her off by SHARING a toast plate—who needs four pieces of toast at one time, anyway?

I had paid the luggage fees and printed our boarding passes the day before so all we had to do was go to the baggage drop and, well, drop our baggage. Easy peasy. Then we ran into a snag. The Westin has its own security gate. Up until recently, this has always been our little secret. You do your thing up in the main terminal and then go back to the room, pick up your carry ons, and sneak through that super secret security gate with no wait.

Until now. There was no one there when we went upstairs because the gate doesn’t open until 7:30. By the time we arrived at 7:45, there was a queue worthy of Disney World in its place. So, instead of dragging our carry ons back up an escalator and across the terminal to the main security gate, we continued on. We finally made it through and ended up being a full two hours early for our flight departure. I’m always “insanely early” as Caitlin puts it. But I’m also insanely stress free.

We had an uneventful flight and arrived in Orlando a half hour early, although I can’t take credit for that. Apparently, our pilot liked to be insanely early, too. We arrived at the extremely civilized hour of 12:30 in the afternoon instead of our usual 12:30 at night. It was much easier to enjoy the Florida sunshine this way.

We collected our own luggage at baggage claim. Yes, I know I have a control issue. On the way there, I like to know I’m going to have clothes to wear during our trip and I can’t leave that up to the baggage handlers at Pop Century. On the way home, however, I could care less and happily drop it off as soon as possible. I have other clothes at home.

We then caught our ME bus and were the only passengers going to Pop. We were surrounded by CBR and AKL folks. We were the second stop, collected our luggage, and waltzed right up to the Pop Century online counter and received our packet and the fabulous news that our room was ready! Room 6369 in the 70’s building. I’m really digging this online stuff—online ADR’s, online check in. I hardly have to talk to anyone anymore.

We dragged all our crap—excuse me, our extremely important luggage, back in time to the 1970’s and as I opened the door, I asked Alex, “What’s that smell?”

As I turned on the light, I realized that that smell was the result of a newly refurbished room. Everything all spanking new and pretty. I wasn’t even afraid to use the bedspreads!

And now some promised pictures:

And here's the view from our room. From that angle, doesn't it kind of look like foosball pieces set up in a small box? The perspective is kind of weird and Twilight Zone-y.

I know this is kind of long for one post but I wanted to give you at least a couple of pictures!

 

[hucifer]

Girl, you weren't kidding that you post often.

I read it, but will comment later...gotta run, Artichoke Woman!

 

[dddisrunner]

I am here!! LOVE the title! I was laughing at Cailtlin's laundry drama, she has clothing issues each trip doesn't she? Looking forward to more!!

 

[kid-at-heart]

Found you! The POP room looks great! How were the matteresses?

 

[Hedy]

Thank you for telling me you had started your TR.
1. Is it easier having Cait in New Mexico now that she's in college, rather than high school?
2. Why were you at the BWV?

 

[NMAmy]

Girl, you weren't kidding that you post often.

I read it, but will comment later...gotta run, Artichoke Woman!

Oh, goody, a new nickname.

I am here!! LOVE the title! I was laughing at Cailtlin's laundry drama, she has clothing issues each trip doesn't she? Looking forward to more!!

Hi, Diane! Caitlin ALWAYS has clothing issues--either everything is dirty or there's too much to fit in the suitcase or she's forgotten some key component. Drama, drama, drama.

Glad you're here!

Found you! The POP room looks great! How were the matteresses?

Hi, Kate! The mattresses actually were fine surprisingly enough. I liked it.

Thank you for telling me you had started your TR.
1. Is it easier having Cait in New Mexico now that she's in college, rather than high school?
2. Why were you at the BWV?

You're welcome, Heather!

1. It's actually just easier to have her be an adult now no matter where she's living. She's turned out okay and, really, anything that happens from now on is not my fault. She'll still try to blame it on me but I am not required to feel any guilt.

2. First night at Pop and then the next 7 nights at BWV's. We stayed there last year and since they refurbished, we decided to stay there again this year. Next year, we'll be doing something different, I think.

Thanks for reading and responding, everybody! I appreciate it!

 

[tinkerbells mum]

count me in too, love your report so far xx

 

[hucifer]

I was just settling in on the bus and had begun one of my new books I’d been hoarding to read on vacation when my cell phone rang. It was Caitlin.

Caitlin: “Mom, how do you cook artichokes?”

Me: “I thought you were studying for an exam and packing. And you don’t even have a kitchen, where are you making artichokes?”

Caitlin: “I was just talking to this friend of mine and he said this girl was making artichokes and she didn’t know how to cook them so he told her to ask me because my mom knew how.”

Who knew I was famous on New Mexico college campuses as being a woman who knows how to cook an artichoke? It was hard to hear on the bus so I never did get the whole story of HOW exactly this guy knew I had this skill but I passed on the directions. So, artichoke crisis averted and I was able to get back to my book.

I love how your artichoke skills are wildly known throughout New Mexican campuses. OMG, this exchange was hilarious.

Around 1:00 a.m, I got another call from Caitlin.

Cait: “MOM! There was a fire in the dorm!”
Me: “Are you okay?”
Cait: “I’m fine. But it was in the basement and I can’t do my laundry and I have nothing clean to take with me!”

Seriously, THAT is the kind of stuff that the funniest TRs are made of.

Me: “Why did you wait until 11:00 at night to start your laundry?"

That would so be my response too.

We finally made it through and ended up being a full two hours early for our flight departure. I’m always “insanely early” as Caitlin puts it. But I’m also insanely stress free.

I am notorious for stressing out on the days I fly. Like you, I cannot get to the terminal early enough! Dan, of course, is the exact opposite.

We collected our own luggage at baggage claim. Yes, I know I have a control issue.

My control issue is elevators. I hate taking them because I hate giving up control...I mean, you're 100% relying on the machinery and electricity to get you to your destination safely. One little problem with either one and you could be stuck there in that box forever.

I’m really digging this online stuff—online ADR’s, online check in. I hardly have to talk to anyone anymore.

You have more than just control issues.

LOVE the title!

What did I tell you, Amy? Huh? HUH? Was I right or was I right? Huh? I was right, wasn't I? Wasn't I?

 

[WDWisOurHappyPlace]

I've followed along with your other trip reports, and decided to pop in on this one to say I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

So great that Caitlin still wants to go to Disneyworld with you! I like the new look of the rooms at Pop. The blue wall adds a nice touch.

How DO you cook artichokes?

 

[AussieAngel]

Yaaayyyyyyy, another trip report from Amy!!!

I'm so excited! I haven't been around the DIS boards for yonks, but I checked today, and look what I found! Yayyyyyy!!

My random thoughts so far...

* I'm so glad you decided to go back to Disney for your vacation!! Where else is there?!

* Caitlin is a college girl now!? Nooooo! How did that happen!?

* Brittany? What happened to Jen!? Did you tell Brittany that she has a lot to live up to on this trip, because Jen was fun and had changing hair colour!?

* 3 hotels, yay!!

* Le Cellier, yayyyyy!!!

* Your new Pop room looked very pretty and shiny!

* Where are you and Alex in the photos!? Huh? Huh!?

* Yeah, how do you cook an artichoke?!

I can't wait to find out what you did on your first afternoon in Disney World!!

 

[tigerdragon]

I plan on doing the same thing with my own luggage from now on when we fly. We flew 3 years ago during spring break and CBR didn't deliver all of our luggage until 6 am and we had arrived at 2:30 pm the day before! I was so stressed and barely got any sleep that night. I vowed never again to let them handle my luggage.

 

[Normangirls]

Way to go, articho..................................ke.

Anyway, thanks for doing this TR -- it keeps Hucifer busy. Just don't let her steal your funny.

I totally agree with you about doing everything on-line. People drive me crazy. I stopped by the bank yesterday and had to actually get out of my car and go inside and talk to a person. It was awful.

Anyway, two hotels down, one to go!

 

[NMAmy]

I love how your artichoke skills are wildly known throughout New Mexican campuses. OMG, this exchange was hilarious.

I have mad skills.

Seriously, THAT is the kind of stuff that the funniest TRs are made of.

Excellent! Because I have a lot of that same kind of material, believe me.

I am notorious for stressing out on the days I fly. Like you, I cannot get to the terminal early enough! Dan, of course, is the exact opposite.

Alex is actually worse than I am. He once got me to the airport EIGHT hours early for an overseas flight. I don't know if he was expecting grilling from customs agents and strip searches but I refuse to leave that early any more.

My control issue is elevators. I hate taking them because I hate giving up control...I mean, you're 100% relying on the machinery and electricity to get you to your destination safely. One little problem with either one and you could be stuck there in that box forever.

Wow. I hadn't thought of it that way. Guess it will be the stairs for me for the rest of the day.

You have more than just control issues.

Absolutely. And I freely admit it.

What did I tell you, Amy? Huh? HUH? Was I right or was I right? Huh? I was right, wasn't I? Wasn't I?

Yes, yes, I bow down to you, hucifer. You were totally right!

I've followed along with your other trip reports, and decided to pop in on this one to say I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

So great that Caitlin still wants to go to Disneyworld with you! I like the new look of the rooms at Pop. The blue wall adds a nice touch.

How DO you cook artichokes?

I'm so glad you posted! It always makes me happy to know people are reading along. I love that Caitie still likes to go to Disney World with us. I was sure she'd be ditching us by now.

I really liked the rooms at Pop and I liked that color a lot, too.

And I knew the artichoke question would come up! Every time I buy them at the grocery store, the clerk asks me how to cook them. They're really easy peasy.

Cut the bottom of the stem close to the body of the artichoke and cut off the top half inch or so of leaves then, using kitchen scissors, trim the pointy part off the other leaves all the way around the artichoke. Reading back this sounds more complicated than it actually is.

Place the artichokes in a big pot filled about a quarter of the way with water and add one lemon cut in half. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, covered with a lid, for about 45 minutes to an hour. When they're done, a fork should easily pierce the bottom (heart) of the artichoke. Serve with melted butter and lemon.

Yaaayyyyyyy, another trip report from Amy!!!

I'm so excited! I haven't been around the DIS boards for yonks, but I checked today, and look what I found! Yayyyyyy!!

I'm so glad you're here! I was going to send you a PM today. I think you must have caught my brain waves all the way down under.

My random thoughts so far...

* I'm so glad you decided to go back to Disney for your vacation!! Where else is there?!

Well, Australia is on my list but that's more of a 2 - 3 week vacation.

* Caitlin is a college girl now!? Nooooo! How did that happen!?

Crazy, isn't it?

* Brittany? What happened to Jen!? Did you tell Brittany that she has a lot to live up to on this trip, because Jen was fun and had changing hair colour!?

Jen wasn't able to come this time around, unfortunately. Brittany was a very acceptable replacement--she was a lot of fun, too, but her hair stayed the same color for the whole trip.

** Where are you and Alex in the photos!? Huh? Huh!?

We're coming up in the pictures on Saturday. I got the Photopass cd this year so there are actually lots of pictures of Alex & I!

* Yeah, how do you cook an artichoke?!

See above for my detailed recipe!

I can't wait to find out what you did on your first afternoon in Disney World!!

Oh, we ate! We ate well. Details to come tomorrow!

 

[NMAmy]

Ninja posters!

I plan on doing the same thing with my own luggage from now on when we fly. We flew 3 years ago during spring break and CBR didn't deliver all of our luggage until 6 am and we had arrived at 2:30 pm the day before! I was so stressed and barely got any sleep that night. I vowed never again to let them handle my luggage.

I'm happy to have a luggage issue soulmate. I would be a nervous wreck if my luggage didn't show up until the next day!

Way to go, articho..................................ke.

Anyway, thanks for doing this TR -- it keeps Hucifer busy. Just don't let her steal your funny.

I totally agree with you about doing everything on-line. People drive me crazy. I stopped by the bank yesterday and had to actually get out of my car and go inside and talk to a person. It was awful.

Anyway, two hotels down, one to go!

Glad to see you here! I'm happy to keep hucifer busy. We have different styles of funny so I should be safe--I've been having difficulties with sarcasm lately.

The horrors of going INTO the bank! Or talking to a person face-to-face. I feel your pain. I've actually got a lot of chores this week that require me to call people on the telephone and I've been procrastinating.

 

[dellasgirl]

Oh boo I'm late--oh well better late than never-right
I am LOVING your trip report-your DD sounds just like mine especially with the call and professing undying love for Mommy, and the laundry issues
Your room looks wonderful-congrats on getting a refurbished one-

 

[NMAmy]

Oh boo I'm late--oh well better late than never-right
I am LOVING your trip report-your DD sounds just like mine especially with the call and professing undying love for Mommy, and the laundry issues
Your room looks wonderful-congrats on getting a refurbished one-

Oh, you're not late at all! I'm very glad to see you! Thank you for the nice compliment--I really appreciate it. I think all those young adult girls act a lot alike. I know my mom would say I acted the same way at that age.