Whos who:
Me: (Steve), 37
DW: (Louise), 37
DS: (Jeremy), 5
DS: (Simon), 3
DD: (Ellie), 5 months
Pup-pup and Doggie: Simons 2 stuffed dogs, each of which spent the entire trip clutched under one of Simons arms.
Our travel day was a Saturday, and we had a 2:30pm flight. This meant that we could be relatively relaxed about getting everything together in the morning. Actually, Louise took all 3 kids to Jeremys soccer game in the morning while I finalized the packing and loaded the car. Then I picked them all up at soccer and we went straight to the airport. We were all very excited (except Ellie, for whom this was just another day little did she know).
We got to the airport and checked bags at curbside with no problem (I had checked us in online via USAirways website the day before and it was smooth). Jeremy and I dropped the rest of the family off while we went to park the car at a long term lot. Jeremy changed out of his soccer clothes and we walked back into the airport to meet up with the other 5 (Louise, Ellie, Simon, and his 2 big stuffed dogs, Pup-pup and Doggie). We had lots of time to spare so we took our time. No problems in security, although we did have to totally break down the stroller and carseats, etc. No complaints here, though.
At the Pittsburgh airport, you need to take a people mover or trolley to and from the security/baggage area to the gate area. The boys got seats in the front and enjoyed the 13 second trip to the extreme. WHHHEEEEEEEEEE!!!, they screamed. IM THE CONDUCTOR!!!!! The real fun began when we reached the series of moving walkways in the concourse. Simon could not get enough of them. After we got to our gate and had something to eat, Simon (and I) went back and forth on these things at least 10 times, all the while with Simon beaming and holding onto Pup-pup and Doggie. After each trip on the walkway, Simon would stop and say Dad, what next? And every time, Id say I dont know, Simon, what do you want to do? And every time, he would say AGAIN!!! And so it went. We got lots of smiles from strangers all day.
Boarding the plane went smoothly, and the look of anticipation on the boys faces was priceless. Although both boys have flown before, they were too young to remember. So this was like a first experience for them. As we were taxiing from gate to runway, Jeremy looks out the window, then turns to us and says flyings just like riding in a car, but bumpier. He thought we were flying already! We had a great laugh about that later.
The kids were perfectly well behaved throughout the flight. I brought lots of surprises for them, to bring out bit by bit to keep them occupied. Silly, dollar store toys, coloring books, crayons, etc. The best was a 3-ring folder I had assembled for each of them that included tons of Disney and Toy Story coloring pages I had printed from the Internet. Jeremy could barely contain himself, he was so thrilled with that.
Our flight landed on time, and we proceeded to Alamo rental counter. Ughhhh. Boy did that line look looooooong. And this wasnt even a peak time. Nothing to do but wait. It turned out to be not as bad as anticipated, and the rental process was OK (meaning they had my reservation and they had a minivan waiting for us). On to our vacation house at Emerald Island Resort. Absolutely great. Only 3 miles from Disney property, but a beautiful property. 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, full kitchen. I know lots of people swear by staying on-Disney property, but for us, with such young kids, this was perfect for us. The boys ran inside to explore, picked out their bedrooms, and we had dinner. Then it was a quick bath and off to bed.
I went to the grocery store after the kids went to sleep. Then Louise and I got all the stuff ready for the next morning, when we would go to Disney-MGM Studios to see Woody and Buzz!
More to come .
Me: (Steve), 37
DW: (Louise), 37
DS: (Jeremy), 5
DS: (Simon), 3
DD: (Ellie), 5 months
Pup-pup and Doggie: Simons 2 stuffed dogs, each of which spent the entire trip clutched under one of Simons arms.
Our travel day was a Saturday, and we had a 2:30pm flight. This meant that we could be relatively relaxed about getting everything together in the morning. Actually, Louise took all 3 kids to Jeremys soccer game in the morning while I finalized the packing and loaded the car. Then I picked them all up at soccer and we went straight to the airport. We were all very excited (except Ellie, for whom this was just another day little did she know).
We got to the airport and checked bags at curbside with no problem (I had checked us in online via USAirways website the day before and it was smooth). Jeremy and I dropped the rest of the family off while we went to park the car at a long term lot. Jeremy changed out of his soccer clothes and we walked back into the airport to meet up with the other 5 (Louise, Ellie, Simon, and his 2 big stuffed dogs, Pup-pup and Doggie). We had lots of time to spare so we took our time. No problems in security, although we did have to totally break down the stroller and carseats, etc. No complaints here, though.
At the Pittsburgh airport, you need to take a people mover or trolley to and from the security/baggage area to the gate area. The boys got seats in the front and enjoyed the 13 second trip to the extreme. WHHHEEEEEEEEEE!!!, they screamed. IM THE CONDUCTOR!!!!! The real fun began when we reached the series of moving walkways in the concourse. Simon could not get enough of them. After we got to our gate and had something to eat, Simon (and I) went back and forth on these things at least 10 times, all the while with Simon beaming and holding onto Pup-pup and Doggie. After each trip on the walkway, Simon would stop and say Dad, what next? And every time, Id say I dont know, Simon, what do you want to do? And every time, he would say AGAIN!!! And so it went. We got lots of smiles from strangers all day.
Boarding the plane went smoothly, and the look of anticipation on the boys faces was priceless. Although both boys have flown before, they were too young to remember. So this was like a first experience for them. As we were taxiing from gate to runway, Jeremy looks out the window, then turns to us and says flyings just like riding in a car, but bumpier. He thought we were flying already! We had a great laugh about that later.
The kids were perfectly well behaved throughout the flight. I brought lots of surprises for them, to bring out bit by bit to keep them occupied. Silly, dollar store toys, coloring books, crayons, etc. The best was a 3-ring folder I had assembled for each of them that included tons of Disney and Toy Story coloring pages I had printed from the Internet. Jeremy could barely contain himself, he was so thrilled with that.
Our flight landed on time, and we proceeded to Alamo rental counter. Ughhhh. Boy did that line look looooooong. And this wasnt even a peak time. Nothing to do but wait. It turned out to be not as bad as anticipated, and the rental process was OK (meaning they had my reservation and they had a minivan waiting for us). On to our vacation house at Emerald Island Resort. Absolutely great. Only 3 miles from Disney property, but a beautiful property. 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, full kitchen. I know lots of people swear by staying on-Disney property, but for us, with such young kids, this was perfect for us. The boys ran inside to explore, picked out their bedrooms, and we had dinner. Then it was a quick bath and off to bed.
I went to the grocery store after the kids went to sleep. Then Louise and I got all the stuff ready for the next morning, when we would go to Disney-MGM Studios to see Woody and Buzz!
More to come .
