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.
We were able to be a bit more relaxed in the morning, since we did not have to get to the parks at opening. We had a 2:25 pm flight back to Pittsburgh, and we had to check out of our Villa by 10:00am. Louise and I got out of bed at around 7am, when Ellie woke us up with some musical selections. Jeremy and Simon woke up a little later and we did not rush them. When they did wake up, they didnt feel like eating much breakfast. Louise set them up in front of the TV (the first time they had watched any TV on the whole vacation). They watched the Disney Channel for a while, until the cable went out, then they watched some other junk for a while. This was helpful though, since it allowed Louise and me to clean up the villa and pack up our stuff, as well as shower, get dressed and get everybody ready to go. Boy there was a lot to pack.
Just before 10:00 am, as we were finishing packing, the guy came from A Babys Best Friend to pick up the crib, bouncy seat and exersaucer that we had rented. They were great and the whole rental process was smooth.
We loaded up the car, took a few last pictures of the place, and were off in the rented van to the surprise that we had promised the boys. We had not told them that we were going to check out the Toy Story hotels at the Animal Kingdom resort area. I wanted it to be a total shock when we got there. But there was a security gate as we approached the resort area, and I had to reveal where we were going. Jeremy was quick to pick up that we were heading to a Toy Story building. Surprise spoiled, but it didnt really matter. In fact, he said it doesnt matter.
We got to the Toy Story buildings (there are 2, with a shared courtyard). Pretty cool. The courtyard is the best, with HUGE statues of Buzz and Woody, along with big statues of Rex, Bo Peep, and building blocks that spell out Buzz and something else. Plus, big replicas of the door to Andys room (with a Keep Out sign posted to it) and the window from Andys room to the yard below. Really cool. And there are green army men posted along the rooflines of both buildings, and coming out of huge Buckets of Soldiers. The kids liked it but I think Jeremy actually might have been a bit scared of the huge Buzz. When I asked them to stand in front of Buzz so I could take a picture, Jeremy said, OK, but not too close to it. Oh well.
Then we got back in the car and drove to the airport. I dropped Louise and the kids off and we checked our bags at curbside. Smooth. All the kids were going to wait with Louise while I returned the rental van, but at the last minute, Simon (and his dogs) wanted to come with me. OK. Everyone else goes into the terminal to wait for us. The second I strap Simon back into his car seat, he starts crying that he DOESNT want to come with me. Too late, kid. Youre stuck. Moms already in the terminal. He finally settles down only after we return the car and start heading back to the terminal to find the others. We all sit in chairs and eat our packed lunch, trying to use up the remainder of the food we had bought for the villa.
When we head through security, one of the employees jokes with me about the amount of stuff we are lugging with us. I replied Hey, have you traveled with three kids lately? He laughed and shook my hand . I heard that .. you do what you gotta do .. I just thought you were moving or something Funny.
We sail through security and head for the people mover/train. Of course, the boys love this. At the other end, it turns out there are no magic sidewalks as Simon had hoped. We told him we would ride them in Pittsburgh, and he was OK with that. We probably had at least an hour to wait to board the plane, so the boys were going to get a little restless. Jeremy and I took a walk to get something for me to eat, since I hadnt had much lunch. And we got snacks for Jeremy and Simon (Sweet Tart gummy bugs). All this time, Ellie was terrific, first in the stroller, then in the baby bjorn with mommy.
We boarded the plane at about 2:00pm. This time, Louise sat on an aisle seat with Elllie while Simon, Jeremy and I sat in the 3 seats across the aisle (me in the center). All three kids could not have possibly behaved better. Jeremy colored and played with toys and his Buzz Lightyear backpack. Simon colored and read his Elmo look and find book. Ellie and Louise slept a little, until Ellie dirtied her diaper and the smell enveloped the cabin. Louise had to wait for the flight attendants to work their way all the way to the back of the plane with the service cart before she could take Ellie to change her diaper in the bathroom. Not long after she returned, there was a further stench: Simon. Louise changed his diaper too, and we settled in for the approach to PIT. When we got there, the boys were thrilled to ride the magic sidewalks and we went to claim our baggage. Both boys came with me to the carousel to find our bags. Jeremy even dragged the big suitcase on wheels all the way over to mom, without any help! What a big guy.
Louise waited with the kids and the luggage while I walked out to the extended term lot to get the van. What a GREAT walk! At my own pace, responsible only for myself. Aaaaahhh. Drove back around and picked up the family at the terminal and we headed home. What a nice feeling to be in our own car again.
When we got home, the house was freezing cold. (59F). Turns out there was a storm while we were away, and it had hailed! I had turned the heat completely off, figuring that it wouldnt be needed. We ordered Chinese food and Louise immediately put Pup-pup and Doggie into the washer on HOT water (they were filthy!). Jeremy immediately ran upstairs to play with all of his Toy Story characters, introducing his new Jessie and Simons new Rex to the existing crew. He even found an old container from Cool Whip that looks like the Bucket of Soldiers, so that has been added to the menagerie. We reviewed the mail, unpacked, ate dinner, so nice to be home.
At bedtime, I completed Jeremys Disney trip journal with him. Im glad we did that so that he can appreciate it when he is older. It will help him to remember the trip.
The end of a nearly perfect trip to Disney World. I dont think we would have done anything differently. Very glad we went, and were already thinking about when we might be able to go again (probably in 2-3 years or so, when Ellie is old enough to enjoy it).
Thanks for reading.
THE END.
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.
We were able to be a bit more relaxed in the morning, since we did not have to get to the parks at opening. We had a 2:25 pm flight back to Pittsburgh, and we had to check out of our Villa by 10:00am. Louise and I got out of bed at around 7am, when Ellie woke us up with some musical selections. Jeremy and Simon woke up a little later and we did not rush them. When they did wake up, they didnt feel like eating much breakfast. Louise set them up in front of the TV (the first time they had watched any TV on the whole vacation). They watched the Disney Channel for a while, until the cable went out, then they watched some other junk for a while. This was helpful though, since it allowed Louise and me to clean up the villa and pack up our stuff, as well as shower, get dressed and get everybody ready to go. Boy there was a lot to pack.
Just before 10:00 am, as we were finishing packing, the guy came from A Babys Best Friend to pick up the crib, bouncy seat and exersaucer that we had rented. They were great and the whole rental process was smooth.
We loaded up the car, took a few last pictures of the place, and were off in the rented van to the surprise that we had promised the boys. We had not told them that we were going to check out the Toy Story hotels at the Animal Kingdom resort area. I wanted it to be a total shock when we got there. But there was a security gate as we approached the resort area, and I had to reveal where we were going. Jeremy was quick to pick up that we were heading to a Toy Story building. Surprise spoiled, but it didnt really matter. In fact, he said it doesnt matter.
We got to the Toy Story buildings (there are 2, with a shared courtyard). Pretty cool. The courtyard is the best, with HUGE statues of Buzz and Woody, along with big statues of Rex, Bo Peep, and building blocks that spell out Buzz and something else. Plus, big replicas of the door to Andys room (with a Keep Out sign posted to it) and the window from Andys room to the yard below. Really cool. And there are green army men posted along the rooflines of both buildings, and coming out of huge Buckets of Soldiers. The kids liked it but I think Jeremy actually might have been a bit scared of the huge Buzz. When I asked them to stand in front of Buzz so I could take a picture, Jeremy said, OK, but not too close to it. Oh well.
Then we got back in the car and drove to the airport. I dropped Louise and the kids off and we checked our bags at curbside. Smooth. All the kids were going to wait with Louise while I returned the rental van, but at the last minute, Simon (and his dogs) wanted to come with me. OK. Everyone else goes into the terminal to wait for us. The second I strap Simon back into his car seat, he starts crying that he DOESNT want to come with me. Too late, kid. Youre stuck. Moms already in the terminal. He finally settles down only after we return the car and start heading back to the terminal to find the others. We all sit in chairs and eat our packed lunch, trying to use up the remainder of the food we had bought for the villa.
When we head through security, one of the employees jokes with me about the amount of stuff we are lugging with us. I replied Hey, have you traveled with three kids lately? He laughed and shook my hand . I heard that .. you do what you gotta do .. I just thought you were moving or something Funny.
We sail through security and head for the people mover/train. Of course, the boys love this. At the other end, it turns out there are no magic sidewalks as Simon had hoped. We told him we would ride them in Pittsburgh, and he was OK with that. We probably had at least an hour to wait to board the plane, so the boys were going to get a little restless. Jeremy and I took a walk to get something for me to eat, since I hadnt had much lunch. And we got snacks for Jeremy and Simon (Sweet Tart gummy bugs). All this time, Ellie was terrific, first in the stroller, then in the baby bjorn with mommy.
We boarded the plane at about 2:00pm. This time, Louise sat on an aisle seat with Elllie while Simon, Jeremy and I sat in the 3 seats across the aisle (me in the center). All three kids could not have possibly behaved better. Jeremy colored and played with toys and his Buzz Lightyear backpack. Simon colored and read his Elmo look and find book. Ellie and Louise slept a little, until Ellie dirtied her diaper and the smell enveloped the cabin. Louise had to wait for the flight attendants to work their way all the way to the back of the plane with the service cart before she could take Ellie to change her diaper in the bathroom. Not long after she returned, there was a further stench: Simon. Louise changed his diaper too, and we settled in for the approach to PIT. When we got there, the boys were thrilled to ride the magic sidewalks and we went to claim our baggage. Both boys came with me to the carousel to find our bags. Jeremy even dragged the big suitcase on wheels all the way over to mom, without any help! What a big guy.
Louise waited with the kids and the luggage while I walked out to the extended term lot to get the van. What a GREAT walk! At my own pace, responsible only for myself. Aaaaahhh. Drove back around and picked up the family at the terminal and we headed home. What a nice feeling to be in our own car again.
When we got home, the house was freezing cold. (59F). Turns out there was a storm while we were away, and it had hailed! I had turned the heat completely off, figuring that it wouldnt be needed. We ordered Chinese food and Louise immediately put Pup-pup and Doggie into the washer on HOT water (they were filthy!). Jeremy immediately ran upstairs to play with all of his Toy Story characters, introducing his new Jessie and Simons new Rex to the existing crew. He even found an old container from Cool Whip that looks like the Bucket of Soldiers, so that has been added to the menagerie. We reviewed the mail, unpacked, ate dinner, so nice to be home.
At bedtime, I completed Jeremys Disney trip journal with him. Im glad we did that so that he can appreciate it when he is older. It will help him to remember the trip.
The end of a nearly perfect trip to Disney World. I dont think we would have done anything differently. Very glad we went, and were already thinking about when we might be able to go again (probably in 2-3 years or so, when Ellie is old enough to enjoy it).
Thanks for reading.
THE END.
