Our Seemingly Silly Semi-Illogical Four Day Whirlwind Trip

[babywewe]

I could never go for such a short time. I think it would depress me!

 

[LaLa]

I think I'm missing it and I've never even been there. But I LOVE your pictures. And your descriptions. They take us right there. Which, let's face it, is where we'd probably all like to be right now. Well, unless "there" is your bathroom after the Hoop De Don't.

I've enjoyed your trip report, Kay7979. It's really funny and descriptive. And I'm sorry your trip is over but you strike me as the kind of person who takes things in stride. Well, except for pool hoppers, that is. How crazy is that? I wonder if they were staying at the Days Inn Maingate.

Keep bringin' it.

 

[blossombrd]

Oh, did I gasp when you overheard the pool hopper lady!! The nerve! I'm glad you said something. I wouldn't have the nerve to say anything but my DH would! And he'd make sure he had her attention when he said it too!

I'm sad your adventures are reaching a close soon. You are so informative, entertaining and funny, and you are amazingly observant and so talented to write and convey your adventures as you do. I'm going to go back and read this again!

We decided to go back this September and I will think of your stories often with a chuckle. There are so many new things that you enlightened me on, like the Chasm of Fire, the orange and green sides of Mission Space, the Nemo show, and many more fun times. I will be armed with knowledge and am excited that my DH and I will get the chance to experience many of these things soon!

Thanks for taking the time to entertain us!

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

So sad to see the end of this report Kay. You have a sharp, wackey and slightly twisted veiw on the world.....which I LOVE.

Missing you already doll

 

[Philadisney]

I can't believe your trip is over! I enjoyed reading along on your marvelous adventures with Lowell. and Thor. I miss Thor.
Sooooo...when are you going back???

 

[NAB]

Kay I am glad you enjoyed your last few hours by the pool.

We never have time for that when we leave. By the time all of us are packed up and fed it is time to get on the bus.

Lowell looks like he got a good tan. Loved all your pictures too.

Where you only there 2 and half days....it seemed longer.

Can't wait until you go again and have another trip report.

 

[dizneydonna]

Hi Kay!

I'm back and all caught up! I've read every last delicious morsel and am so SAD that it has ended!!!! Can't you just make some more stuff up and keep on writing?? Pleeeease....for meee! I know that you probably thought that I had forgotten your report but I would never do that. I've just been extremely busy, busy, busy and don't have as much time to check in daily (or even weekly) like I'd like to be able to do!

You've brought a lot of sunshine to your readers and we're all very grateful for that (right gang??). If you find a way to bind this report into book form let me know....I want one! Oh and IF you do decide to ever write a book, please let me know. I'll be the first in line to purchase it. You're a very gifted writer and I am ecstatic that I was blessed enough to "stumble" onto your report. If laughter does a body good, then I'm now healthy as a horse thanks to your report!

God bless you and Lowell!

 

[duncanssweetie]

HI Kay !!!

I had to take a "break" from the boards for awhile and needed to get back in the TR writing mood and thought what better way than to read the ones I have subbed to.

So I did, only to be dissapointed that yours is ending.

I enjoyed every last detail of it. You are truly amazing and I hope to continue to read your TR's in the future.

Oh, and I loved the idea you had for the story that would involve everyone writing thier own little chapter. It would be so cool to read all the Disboard "greats and legends" in one post.

Thank You for putting me back in the mood. I needed it.

Again, loved it, am sad it came to an end. But, am also glad in a way that it has...... THOSE WERE THE LOOOOOONGEST 4 DAYS OF MY LIFE !!!!!

 

[Kay7979]

Hi again. Wow, what a lot of great comments. You all know how to brighten my day!

You are much nicer than me, Kay. I always take an active dislike to all those happy, excited new arrivals on my departure day.

Great installment and I'm glad to hear there's still more! I love the picture of the WL bathroom--I've been in that one several times. (Too much iced tea or beer at WCC.)

NMAmy: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s vacation!

You know you’re a Disney fanatic when you’re able to recognize and ID the bathroom photos. Good job!

LOL I was gonna say the same thing. Kay is too nice. When I see people checking in at the resort on my departure day or getting off the plane when I am waiting to board, little daggers come shooting out of my eyes. I can't help it.

Maine-iac: I guess I know there is always another trip. Maybe not tight away, but the time will come, and I have learned to squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of the time I have on vacations, then go home and fully enjoy the pleasurable moments we have together there. Magic is where you find it. There are magical moments at home, too.

That has to be they most wonderful thing I've ever read. It sums up the love you have for Disney. It's something I'll have to remember to say to my family when we're down there to make sure they enjoy every minute of it.

Thanks for such a great read, and I (along with many many other readers) am sad to see it end.

DisneyGuy758: Memories are great, but living in the moment and savoring the excitement is even better. I hope people keep that in mind. Maybe it will stop them the next time they’re tempted to bicker or complain. These special times are too precious to waste being selfish or petty.

Hey, Kay, what do you say?

I am proud of you for catching (or at least identifying) the pool hoppers. The nerve.

I have very much enjoyed your report, and am sad to see it ending! There's more, though, right??? Right???????????

kpk89: Yes, I’ll manage to squeeze another short episode or two out of our trip home. I never know how much material is left in me until I start writing, LOL! When I get to the end I write a big THE END so you all know I’m finished. And even then, I may come up with an Epilogue or a spoof to cap off this novella.

Yes, Kay

I've caught up on every last word, picture, post, reply to post, laugh, sigh, hoot out loud, tender moment, funny mental pictures, refillable mug discourse, outstanding bus ride segment, pool hopper suspense, and I've been there right in the moment (time dilation effect, I suppose).

It's a really great read, and now I have the pleasure of copying each and every word into Word. I have a few trip reports in a black binder I keep just for the plane and yours will be right in front!

Glad to hear you and Lowell are doing fine....hope you are planning another trip....maybe you have a past trippie you'd like to start on next...what the hey...let the grass grow this summer and the flowers go to seed..

Six hours a week doesn't sound like a huge, huge, chunk of time when you consider that translates into how many hours of reading x the number of
really devoted fans you have out here now....An accountant I'm not, but
it's a big, big number....

I'm all for your idea of writing a few fiction trippies....Then turn them into an anthology of WDW trippies...will sell like hotcakes...we need to come up with a great title.....

As you can see, late again this evening and tomorrow will be even worse at work...Supervisor meeting with the new boss..yee haw....

Take care and looking forward to the trip home with ya!

wvgoofyfan: You certainly rate among my most devoted readers. Thanks a million! I’ll have another short episode this weekend that covers part of our return trip home. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get around to the fictional trip report episodes, unless maybe this fall and winter if/when things are slower paced. At very least I’d like to post a few spoof/satires on the Community Board, if inspiration hits me. I know many readers liked my “and a half” episodes best of all.

I could never go for such a short time. I think it would depress me!

babywewe. Welcome new reader. There was certainly nothing depressing about our trip and I would happily do another whirlwind visit, although we usually go for a week or longer. Any trip to Disney is a good trip, short or long. Thanks for stopping by!

I think I'm missing it and I've never even been there. But I LOVE your pictures. And your descriptions. They take us right there. Which, let's face it, is where we'd probably all like to be right now. Well, unless "there" is your bathroom after the Hoop De Don't.

I've enjoyed your trip report, Kay7979. It's really funny and descriptive. And I'm sorry your trip is over but you strike me as the kind of person who takes things in stride. Well, except for pool hoppers, that is. How crazy is that? I wonder if they were staying at the Days Inn Maingate.

Keep bringin' it.

LaLa: What a pleasant surprise finding your name among my reader’s posts. Thanks for reading and posting comments. I’m glad you found my “story” before it ended. Knowing your love for Animal Kingdom, I can picture you staying at my version of the AK Villas and performing the javelin toss to win a great room assignment, then sending your kids off to participate in the Fun with Feces program. There are so many things about Disney that beg to be turned into satires, and I just can’t resist the urge!

Oh, did I gasp when you overheard the pool hopper lady!! The nerve! I'm glad you said something. I wouldn't have the nerve to say anything but my DH would! And he'd make sure he had her attention when he said it too!

I'm sad your adventures are reaching a close soon. You are so informative, entertaining and funny, and you are amazingly observant and so talented to write and convey your adventures as you do. I'm going to go back and read this again!

We decided to go back this September and I will think of your stories often with a chuckle. There are so many new things that you enlightened me on, like the Chasm of Fire, the orange and green sides of Mission Space, the Nemo show, and many more fun times. I will be armed with knowledge and am excited that my DH and I will get the chance to experience many of these things soon!

Thanks for taking the time to entertain us!

blossombrd: I would be honored if you reread this story. I think I’ll do so myself and allow myself a moment of nostalgia, both for the trip itself, and for the wonderful adventure I’ve had writing this epic novella since last November! I’m glad to hear you learned a few useful tidbits while being entertained. Have a great time on your next trip.

So sad to see the end of this report Kay. You have a sharp, wackey and slightly twisted view on the world.....which I LOVE.

Missing you already doll

2ScottishPrincesses: I do have an odd sense of humor, don’t I? Well, I’m glad so many of you have enjoyed touring the convoluted recesses of my imagination as well as touring WDW with us. Thanks for being such a faithful reader.

I can't believe your trip is over! I enjoyed reading along on your marvelous adventures with Lowell. and Thor. I miss Thor.
Sooooo...when are you going back???

:wav2: Philadisney: Oh, you just made me laugh at your comment about Thor. Yes, I miss him, too. This report sure had it’s share of twists, turns and zany flights of fancy, not the least of which were Thor and Vidar. We have no plans to go to WDW for at least a year, but don’t worry, time flies!

Kay I am glad you enjoyed your last few hours by the pool.

We never have time for that when we leave. By the time all of us are packed up and fed it is time to get on the bus.

Lowell looks like he got a good tan. Loved all your pictures too.

Where you only there 2 and half days....it seemed longer.

Can't wait until you go again and have another trip report.

NAB: It was two whole days and two half days. And I enjoyed every minute except maybe the effects of Poop-de-doo. It was great to have the slow times by the pool as well as the fast paced times like doing the rides at EPCOT and the Food & Whine Festival. And believe it or not, I think writing this report was as much fun as the trip.

Hi Kay!

I'm back and all caught up! I've read every last delicious morsel and am so SAD that it has ended!!!! Can't you just make some more stuff up and keep on writing?? Pleeeease....for meee! I know that you probably thought that I had forgotten your report but I would never do that. I've just been extremely busy, busy, busy and don't have as much time to check in daily (or even weekly) like I'd like to be able to do!

You've brought a lot of sunshine to your readers and we're all very grateful for that (right gang??). If you find a way to bind this report into book form let me know....I want one! Oh and IF you do decide to ever write a book, please let me know. I'll be the first in line to purchase it. You're a very gifted writer and I am ecstatic that I was blessed enough to "stumble" onto your report. If laughter does a body good, then I'm now healthy as a horse thanks to your report!

God bless you and Lowell!

dizneydonna: Seeing your name made my day. I let out a “HEY!” when I saw it. I would have been ever so depressed if I ended this story and still hadn’t heard from you. After all, you are my #1 Trip Report Groupie, and I owe much of my funny streak to you. Thanks for coming back to catch up on the story and post comments.

HI Kay !!!

I had to take a "break" from the boards for awhile and needed to get back in the TR writing mood and thought what better way than to read the ones I have subbed to.

So I did, only to be dissapointed that yours is ending.

I enjoyed every last detail of it. You are truly amazing and I hope to continue to read your TR's in the future.

Oh, and I loved the idea you had for the story that would involve everyone writing thier own little chapter. It would be so cool to read all the Disboard "greats and legends" in one post.

Thank You for putting me back in the mood. I needed it.

Again, loved it, am sad it came to an end. But, am also glad in a way that it has...... THOSE WERE THE LOOOOOONGEST 4 DAYS OF MY LIFE !!!!!

duncanssweetie: Yes, they were the longest days in all of our lives, thanks to the wonders of the Time Dilation effect. I have very much enjoyed having you as a reader. Thanks so much for all your support and encouragement.

Stay tuned for another short "return trip" episode sometime between Friday and Sunday.

 

[Kay7979]

PART THIRTY FOUR:




When Magical Express pulls up, Lowell and I spring from our bench and board the bus. A few other people follow us onboard, but much less enthusiastically. They look like captives from the Haunted Mansion, dragging their wretched bodies to the dead center of the bus. Despite the abundance of windows, you’d think they were imprisoned in the mansion’s stretching room which has “noooo windows, and noooo doors.” I can’t imagine a gloomier bunch of tourists. They stare in doomed horror at the bus driver. He is a fiend about to wrest them from paradise and transport them to a land of shadowy terrors.

The driver’s attempt at cheerfulness only increases their torment. He says all the wrong things, like, “I hope you enjoyed your vacation. I’ll have you back to the airport in no time at all.”

A series of muffled groans echo through the bus.

He continues, “We’ll be making a quick stop at the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian to pick up more . . .” The word “victims” has formed on his lips, but he quickly changes the wording to, “guests.”

A few faces brighten slightly. Any delay is a good delay. And there will be more victims, which is a soothing thought since miserly loves company.

People settle back in their seats, accepting their fate with grim resignation. They knew this moment would come. They must be brave now. For their children’s sake. They paste faint smiles on their lips and stare straight ahead as the bus rolls forward.

We stop at the Poly and the driver jumps out to load luggage. He is cheerful and efficient. More bodies with long faces board the bus. They take seats in the back. We drive away and repeat the process at the Grand Floridian. A few more people join us. Now there will be no more delays. The driver begins his annoyingly cheerful spiel again, assuring us that we will be at the airport before you can say “Peter Pan,” and off we go once more.

The Lodge guests, who have been on the bus the longest, appear to be overcoming their depression. Sighs and sniffles come less frequently now. Their pain is beginning to heal and I’m glad to see that the worst of their trauma is over.

UNTIL . . .

The driver turns on the Disney video.

The plot is the opposite of the cheerful, captivating video we watched on our way from the airport. In that movie the Disney characters were headed to the hotels and parks for fun and excitement; in this version, the characters are going home, just as we are. Only they look a lot happier about it. Maybe because they really live here at Disney World and this movie is just an act. For the rest of us, leaving is an unfortunate reality.

A new bout of depression settles over the bus as we watch Minnie and Mickey, Goofy and Donald leaving Disney World. I swear I hear muted sobs. Including one from the man behind me. I would hand him a tissue but I don’t want to embarrass him.

Our group has barely gotten their emotions under control when we approach the famous purple Disney arch.

If the driver were a kind-hearted man he would distract us, maybe point out a pack of hungry alligators chasing our bus, or tell us we’re changing drivers up ahead because Captain Jack Sparrow has graciously volunteered to see us off. But no, the sadistic driver says instead, “Here we go, folks. We are now leaving Disney property.”

A collective groan rises from the entire bus, and although I am satisfied with our whirlwind trip and content to go home, I find myself groaning with them, if only in sympathy with their distress. Lowell pats my hand comfortingly.

The video plays on, feeding the passengers’gloom and depression. This bus is truly like the stretching room. There is no way out. No way to escape the torment. White bloodless faces gape with empty eyes out the windows as the bus carries us farther and farther from Disney World. Few people are watching the movie. By the time it ends everyone is nearly comatose. The couple in front of us sit slack-jawed, drooling on themselves while their son tries to get their attention to tell them something. Mercifully, this video wasn’t as long as the one they played upon our arrival. We’ll have a few miles of silence before we reach the airport so we can master our emotions and pull ourselves together.

But I have forgotten that the bus driver is a fiend. A heartless, evil, sadistic fiend. He is not content to let us ride the rest of the way in silence.

He does the unthinkable.

Something so diabolical that my brain can barely conceive of such cruelty.

Now he puts on the ARRIVAL video.

Yes, you heard me right. It was bad enough to watch Mickey, Donald and Stitch going back to the airport like the rest of us, but now we are held captive, forced to watch them joyously arriving at the airport, presenting their vouchers at the Magical Express desk, and eagerly boarding the bus that whisks them toward the adventure, fun and excitement of a Disney World vacation.

My fellow passengers will need hours of therapy after this. Disney should pick up the bill. Maybe they can hire that woman therapist from the GEICO commercials. She can work us in when she isn’t counseling socially mal-adjusted cavemen. Actually, maybe she should be head-examining the bus driver, first, because there’s something seriously wrong with him. I bet he used to kick puppies and pull the wings off of flies when he was a kid. Some people are born with a mean streak. All I know is, someone with passive-aggressive behavioral issues shouldn’t be driving Disney busses.

I half expect the passengers to rush the driver, beat him senseless and leave him by the roadside, then turn the bus around toward Disney World. No court would prosecute them. Their behavior would be justifiable since they were pushed beyond human endurance. I really think a few passengers are contemplating doing just that, hijacking the bus. I can see the anger and desperation in their eyes.

The driver is lucky to make it to the airport before they organize and carry out their attack. He pulls up at the terminal and lets people out near their various airlines. Our fellow captives from this Haunted Mansion Bus Ride disperse.

We collect our luggage at the curb while the driver spouts more insensitive, cheerful rhetoric. “Come again. Sunny Florida will waiting for you. And more Disney Magic. But I bet you’re anxious to go home now and get back to work.”

I don’t think he got many tips.

Lowell and I walk toward the airport doors, then pause and turn for one last look. When it picked us up, the Magical Express bus looked a lot like Cinderella’s coach, but our time is up now, and it has turned into a Doom Buggy.




To be continued . . . more tales of our trip home.

 

[mikamah]

What a wonderfully accurate description of the bus ride out of disney. I remember that feeling, and in the future will try to chuckle at your description of it. It's sooooo sad to get back to reality, but you just relived a wonderful vacation while writing this trip report. Thanks for the laughs.

 

[UtahMama]

UGH! NOT the arrival video! That man is horrible !!!

I love your Haunted Mansion metaphor.

YOU are the queen of Trip Report, Kay!


The ONLY thing that cures the sadness of having to go home is planning the next trip.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Great episode! I haven't taken Magical Express, but that is exactly how I feel when leaving the World.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Omg girl! I absolutely love your descriptive writing style!

I still feel like I was right there with you, I almost teared at the feeling of leaving the world after a fabulous vacation.

You really are the queen

Thank you for sharing this experience I look forward to the next...

 

[mmeb144]

Their pain is beginning to heal and I’m glad to see that the worst of their trauma is over.

UNTIL . . .

The driver turns on the Disney video.

The plot is the opposite of the cheerful, captivating video we watched on our way from the airport. In that movie the Disney characters were headed to the hotels and parks for fun and excitement; in this version, the characters are going home, just as we are. Only they look a lot happier about it. Maybe because they really live here at Disney World and this movie is just an act. For the rest of us, leaving is an unfortunate reality.

I missed the arrival movie during our Magical Express experience, however I got to see the departure movie. Like I need reminded about the wonderful shopping opportunities available at the Orlando airport? My son has a wonderful expression for moments like this: Kill me now.

Marie

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Sis, sadly, I never experienced the bus ride either way, and likely never will.

But your writing make me feel right there! You are truly gifted!

If you post anything on the Community board, please let all us devoted readers know, we will be there in a flash!

Meanwhile, see you in the pasture...........

 

[Minnie_Moo]

Lowell and I walk toward the airport doors, then pause and turn for one last look. When it picked us up, the Magical Express bus looked a lot like Cinderella’s coach, but our time is up now, and it has turned into a Doom Buggy.

So true!!!

But as UtahMama said, "The ONLY thing that cures the sadness of having to go home is planning the next trip."

And I just bought plane tickets for our September trip today Before the price of jet fuel jumps like the price of gas has recently.

Thank you for entertaining us so well these last several months, Kay!

 

[Maine-iac]

I did not get to see the video on my DME arrival trip. No video no music just silence.
On the way back to the airport I did see the going home video and I thought it was cute. I then listened to the drivers jazz music the rest of the way.
Now the bus driver putting on the arrival video....that was just evil. He was lucky to escape without a scratch I tell you.

 

[C.Marie]

Kay, you completely captured our feelings when boarding that ME bus to return home from our trip last May. It was certainly not as Magical as our arrival bus. But as Utah said, there's always the fun of planning for a new trip and I'm counting down in double digits to our next one! Your writing is a delight, as always, and I can't wait for more. I'm especially interested to see how you conquer the great airport divide.

 

[celerystalker]

I was three episodes behind! Oh no!
But now I'm caught up. And craving tonga toast (I went back a little for the pictures).