Stay with me now....we're almost there. So sorry about the delay. But if I don't get going on this report, I'm going to forget all the details. I'm convinced childbirth causes memory loss. I have 3 kids...you do the math.
Ok, so we're on the way to the airport. No, wait, forgot the cables to download the pictures from my new digital camera to the laptop. Luckily we were only a mile from home when we caught this, so back we go. Ok, NOW we're on our way.
The ride to the airport is uneventful, and we pull up to the curb and check our luggage there - so worth the tip. Dad decides to go park the van and come in to see us off. I told him that wasn't necessary, why pay for parking? And its not like you can see people off at the gate anymore - gotta do the "hug, hug, have a safe trip" thing before you get to the security check. But he's Daddy, and insists. I had printed the boarding passes off at home the day before, which was good considering we were a little later than we had planned. Waited for Dad at the top of the escalator (for those of you who have only dealt with ginormous airports, there is only 1 escalator at the Omaha airport and only, like, 7 gates. In fact, they could be doing last call for boarding, and if you were still parking the car, you'd make it in plenty of time - and that includes going through security. So Dad took the van to the parking garage, and was back with us in 10 minutes. It was only about 7 steps to the security checkpoint, so we said our goodbyes. Dad knelt down and hugged Tink, and told her to keep us all in line. He scooped Princess up for a big bear hug and told her to tell Mickey hi for him. He started to shake hands with Dude, but then pulled him in for a "manly" but very strong hug. Then he put his arms around me and Bear, and whispered, "just leave it all behind. Have the time of your life."
I blinked back the tears and hustled everybody toward the security line. I explained to Princess the whole process and prepared her for the possiblity that one of us could get singled out for an extra search. We all flew through the line with no problems, much to Princess' disappointment. She was sure anything that had to do with her being "wanded" was something she wanted to be a part of!
We didn't have to wait very long and the plane started to board. I wanted to make sure to sit by Princess so I could experience her reaction to her first big plane ride. (She had flown before in a small 4 seater, and an ultralight. Poor, deprived child.) Anyway, we all got settled in, her by the window. She wanted to get out her coloring books and cd player, but I told her it needed to stay safely stowed under the seat until we were up in the air. I had read "Meanest Mom's" trip report and was greatly anticipating the moment I would hear Princess get her scream-laugh on. We started to move and I started to chat with her to help ease her nervousness. As we picked up speed, I picked up the dialog..." Now we're turning out onto the runway. We're going a little faster now. Look at the buildings whiz by! Oh, we're really going fast now! We're almost ready to lift off! Faster, faster, faster...here we goooo! We're flying!!!" And she looked up at me and said, "Can I get my stuff out now? So much for the scream-laugh.
Skip ahead to landing in Orlando - the flight was pretty routine. While I had read the directions for how to find the Magic Express counter, somehow it seemed much simpler on paper than when I was actually there. So we just joined the cattle herd and started moving. As we stepped into the atrium, Princess looked up in awe. "This is sooo beautiful. Can we stay here?" Sure thing, babe. Traveled halfway across the country, and spent your inheritance to take you to on an amazing trip to the Happiest place on earth. And you want to stay in the airport hotel. No problem.
I searched desperately for a friendly-faced CM with a big white hand. Didn't see hide nor hair of one until we got about 5 feet from the ME counter. Taking another tip from a Dis mom, I volunteered to get in line while Bear watched the kids and the carry-ons.
The line moved fast and I was done pretty quickly. Turned around to collect my family....and they were gone. Great - in Orlando for 15 minutes and I've lost them already. The CM with the Hamburger Helper hand was waving at me from waaayyy across the corridor. "You come. Get in line." (ok quick sidenote here. I know the CM's used to be able to meet the planes and guide people to the ME counter. Apparently not any more. You don't see them until you are six inches from the rope maze for ME check-in. Then they wave you across the hall. Do they seriously have people that wander aimlessly between check-in and the bus line? ) Anyway, happy lady with the Michael Jackson glove on steroids was still beckoning me to come enter her maze and my family was nowhere to be found. Oh, wait, there they are. Outside. Where Bear has apparently found another poor nicotine addicted soul to bum a smoke from. I just roll my eyes and go fetch them.
The wait in the bus line was kind of long as it seemed none of the busses were going to Pop Century. The dispatcher finally asked one of the drivers to take us there after he dropped off guests on his regular stops. We loaded up and I figured it would be a while before we took off as there was only a handful of people on board. Nope!! We were on our way! Kids were thrilled with the bus - their only experience with busses being of the big yellow variety. And a welcome video?! They thought they were royalty! We made our stops to drop off the other passengers and then on to Pop Century. I was worried that after seeing the deluxe resorts that the other passengers were staying at, my family might be disappointed when we got to our value resort. No need to worry. All I can say is "awesome". Acres of eye candy.
We got checked in and picked up our tickets to "Hoop de do" in what seemed like the blink of an eye. I asked about our preference of 2 connecting rooms, nonsmoking, 1 king, 2 dbls, near the pool and was assured we had everything we asked for. We traipsed to our room and unlocked the door. 2 double beds in the room. Ok, this was the kids room. Unlocked the next door. 2 double beds. Um, this isn't right. I know, what's the big deal? Well, I knew that if we had 2 beds in our room, Princess would get all logical and say she would just sleep in there on that bed instead of sleeping with her sister. Love ya sweetheart, mean it. But sometimes Daddy and I need "grown-up" time.
So I called down to the front desk and asked to be switched. No problem. Got 2 rooms overlooking the Hippy Dippy pool, and everybody was happy. (Veterans will attest to the fact that this room switch was completely and totally unnecessary. After a long day at the parks, the ONLY thing we were interested in doing in that bed was
sleeping.)
Up next: Day 1 - Part 3 Hoop De Doo Review Whoo Hoo!(its just fun to say, isn't it?)
I was literally almost at the point of saying "ok, I will go with the kids and you can stay home", but I just know that once we get there he will understand, I just know! 
We are planning our first trip ever for Sept 2-10th staying at ASMo, with DS12 and DS4. Heck I didn't sleep for 4 days after making the reservation! 
(just like the commercial) Anyways, enough about me, lets hear more! 
Waiting......impatiently....are you there yet? Are you there yet?
