Overdue and Overpacked II: The LaLas Take on the World: EPILOGUE ON PAGE 58

[Master Gracie]

Don't ask.

Ahh, but I must. What, pray tell, earned your husband the nickname of Octane over the majority of 3 counties...or was it 4?

The description of the dad and daughter was pretty cool. I hope I am that way when Jen and I have kids. Don't see any reason that I won't be, as I am, like as not, to burst forth into song on a crowded bus anyway, and I don't even have children.

 

[nicolemarie]

And the more I thought about it, the harder I laughed. It may sound strange to you right now, but for reasons that may come to light in another six or ten or twelve months down the road in someone else's totally rockin' trip report, I couldn’t stop laughing.

You mean my rockin' trip report? Oh no, wait. We weren't on the dinning plan. You must mean someone else. And I'm calling 10 months. Things will get crazy around there before too long.

Anyway, it was really cute to watch and it made me think of my husband and his relationship with our daughter. And all the other sweet Disney Dads out there who work so hard day in and day out and live for family vacation so they can have that moment where the world stops, everything fades away and it’s just them and the ones they love the most. Enjoying each other’s company and making memories together.

What a great paragraph. And so true. My DH is a very driven guy. While I believe he does a great job prioritizing and making sure he carves out good time for us at home, work is just demanding. No matter how you slice it. But he always leaves the work at work when we are on vacation. And you can see and feel the relief in his demeanor.

Although his singing out loud is now cause for my 8 yr old to roll her eyes and say - with a smile that tells how she really feels - "Daaaaddy, that's so embarrassing." Which makes him do it all the louder.

Non Disney logo wearing families didn’t stand a chance.

Hmmm. I'll remember that for the May trip.

No matter what hotel we’re staying in, unless it’s the Ritz Carlton, I have this thing about the beds. I don’t usually like ‘em.

Anyway, I was a little worried about the beds at the AKL because at first glance, they honestly didn’t look very comfortable.

But they were.

They were surprisingly comfortable.

Although there were many other BORG-worthy comments, these two caught my attention the most. It's exactly how I feel on both counts. I, too, was VERY pleasantly surprised. They were great beds.

My husband was laying in a bed in Disneyworld, thinking back on the days’ happenings, and he is already telling me how to write “our” trip report.

Disney Dork indeed.

We did the same thing. Everytime my DH would do something idiotic - which is frequent given his penchant for immaturity - he would say "Don't put that in the Trip Report."

Another great one, my friend. You know I love reading your report. It takes me on vacation with you. And who doesn't want to go on a vacation to Disney World?

Especially when in reality they are at home in sweats with tile guys in the kitchen and a sick child in the bedroom.

Great job, sweet girl.

NM

 

[LaLa]

Okay, I usually try to wait and do a group response but this one I just can't pass up.

I, too, had a Gasoline Incident in my earlier years. Mine involved lighting my head on fire. If you elaborate on your husbands Gasoline Incident I'll do the same for mine.

That post made me laugh so hard the gag reflex became engaged and now I think I just might throw up again.

Well, I'm glad to see you lived to tell about the time you set your head on fire. And as much as I would love to hear all about that one, I've got a feeling that if I gave the scoop on the Gasoline Incident of 1996, I'd be sleepin' in the shed tonight. It was that dumb.

I'll ramble on endlessly about every thought, feeling and emotion we had on our trip to Disneyworld but for the sake of my marriage, the details of the Gasoline Incident of 1996 stays in the lock box.

But I loved the rest of your post. It was really sweet.

My dh was out in the deep water with our dd8 and I had my ds2 on my hip. I really did not expect the wave to be quite that powerful and had to watch helplessly as my dd5 was ripped from my grasp and literally tumbled head over heels twice in the water before being thrown to the concrete. She had a huge road rash on her thigh and now has a lifelong aversion to wave pools. I held on to my son through the whole thing, but it was iffy. I'm saving for dd's therapy now.

Yikes. Bless her heart. Wave pools can be a lot of fun, but they can also be very brutal. We never realized just how much until this last trip. Sorry to hear yall went through that. Thanks for posting. And rock on TTD!

Ahh, but I must. What, pray tell, earned your husband the nickname of Octane over the majority of 3 counties...or was it 4?

Just three. And see the above. By the way, I have no doubt you'd be a great Disney Dad, MG. But you might wanna rethink that whole singing to yourself on a crowded bus thing. People might start to think you're on prescription medicine or something.

You must mean someone else. And I'm calling 10 months. Things will get crazy around there before too long.

So true.

And the borgness thing between the two of us is really starting to get out of hand, NM. Are you really Z in disguise? An alter ego, perhaps? Wait. Scratch that. You can spell. Loved the post, my girl.

 

[WheatThins]

Great report. Thanks for sharing.

Wheat Thins

 

[team weasel]

LOVING the trip report!

 

[First timer]

And in that very moment, we hear the music start.

That beautiful, unmistakable music.

Starlight starbright. First star I see tonight.
I wish I may I wish I might
Have this wish I wish tonight…

All of a sudden the music crescendos with those two notes that we all know so well and the sky is lit up with the first of the stars that blaze across the sky in an arc above the castle. I’m not afraid to admit that at that point I may have cried. Yes, I actually did. I cried just a little. Hard to believe, right? I grab our daughter and hold her so she can have a better view.

OOOOH! First you have me laughing my way out of a job (and out of a trip to WDW - as you very wisley put it) now after reading this I am all teary!! For goodness sake someone is going to think I am having a nervous breakdown!!

Can't wait for the rest!!

 

[serendipity]

Wow. I don't even know where to begin. I just finally caught up. You are an AMAZING writer and are absolutely hilarious. There's not even a starting point I can commend you on because all of it is wonderful. The detail you put into it is great...I have to ask you, how on earth do you remember all of the minute details. I write down basic facts while at Disney so I remember the gist of what happened, but I have to know what your secret is!

 

[ZZUB]

I’d take gold in that one too.

If by "take" you mean, "make up a lie about your pretend Gold medal," then I suppose you could "take" the Gold in that one too.

And all the other sweet Disney Dads out there who work so hard day in and day out and live for family vacation so they can have that moment where the world stops, everything fades away and it’s just them and the ones they love the most. Enjoying each other’s company and making memories together.

That's only half the story of being a Disney Dad. You didn't see the bribery, begging, cajoling and endless hours in the County Bounty buying "prizes." Or is that just with my family?

We have fallen for your marketing strategy hook line and sinker. Now give us our major award.” Actually, they just said Disney on the front

Disney, roughly translated, actually does mean, "empty your wallet, Sucker!" So you were close.

It occurs to me that this was the end of day one!No wonder I'm so tired. I need a nap. And a new keyboard. But that's not really your fault.

 

[lexmelinda]

Sorry, LaLa.....I did get through the War & Peace installment and enjoyed it muchly but did not have time to post after reading. A LaLa installment can never be too long and it was wonderful, BTW.

Always bring cash because you never know when they’re gonna lock the pantry door and spit in the general direction of your grossly inadequate Key to the Food.

We found this out at the gelato cart in Italy...no takey the Key to the Food. Got my last 5 bucks.

The thing that stood out to me about them and the thing that makes it even worth writing about was the back and forth between this little girl and her Daddy.

I am so glad that child didn't vomit. I really thought she was gonna blow there for a minute.

Cause my stomach is still reeling from the Weekend of ZZUBage we just experienced.

So sorry....all five of us had it Thanksgiving week....not pretty here either. Hope you guys are all feeling better. Thanks for another hilarious installment!

 

[Disfan3]

another goodie my friend...THANK YOU!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

I LOVE your trip report. I only wish I could write like you, and I'm even taking a creative writing class. But nothing they can teach us can touch your natural talent....do you have pixie dust on your fingers perhaps?? I would've posted earlier, but I had a Chemistry test to study for, though I blew off the last couple of topics to sneak back on to the Dis ...don't tell my mom!!! Your elevator incident had me crying because I was laughing so hard, I was very glad I was by myself. I'm hoping to pester my parents into going back in May; Mom's recently gotten into this whole running thing-she did the Minnie 5k last year and is thinking about the 15k this year. I told her I'd run the 5k, but there was no way she was convincing me to ditch school to run for 10 miles...3 miles I will though. Keep up the good work, I'll be checking back regularly......."Honest Ms. McKeand, it was Lala that made me fail this test......Mickey bars are SO much cooler than molarity....."

 

[WheatThins]

I LOVE you're trip report. I only wish I could write like you, and I'm even taking a creative writing class. But nothing they can teach us can touch your natural talent....do you have pixie dust on your fingers perhaps?? I would've posted earlier, but I had a Chemistry test to study for, though I blew off the last couple of topics to sneak back on to the Dis ...don't tell my mom!!! You're elevator incident had me crying because I was laughing so hard, I was very glad I was by myself. I'm hoping to pester my parents into going back in May; Mom's recently gotten into this whole running thing-she did the Minnie 5k last year and is thinking about the 15k this year. I told her I'd run the 5k, but there was no way she was convincing me to ditch school to run for 10 miles...3 miles I will though. Keep up the good work, I'll be checking back regularly......."Honest Ms. McKeand, it was Lala that made me fail this test......Mickey bars are SO much cooler than molarity....."

For the love of bribing a family member to post a comment to your report. Have you no shame Loo Loo?

Wheat Thins

 

[spotty]

I'm a newbie on DIS but a Mouse dork since birth and have found the Trip boards!
Thank goodness my DH understands my sickness/addiction/obsession (pick one) and brought me dinner while I read your reports.
I read the 1st installment then had to go back and read the 1st trip.

I have to say Thank You....we were there right after 9/11 and your epilogue was perfect.

Then I could not stop myself (did I mention a little OCD over here!) and continued to read and caught up on trip 2.

I have been laughing my patookis off!

BTW, the snoring story really spoke to me. There is a long story involving my DH's ex-wife sleeping in a OKW bathtub because of his Sister, my now SIL. Fast forward a couple years, I hear both sides of the tragic story then take my first DW trip with new SIL. 18 pillows later and a serious consideration of how comfortable a bathtub could be, I totally take the Ex's side. (Or is it just that she got the DVC points in the divorce )

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[KangaFan]

Another great installment! Loved the story about the Disney Dad. Uninterrupted time with our kids with no distractions of work or housework is one of the things I am most looking forward to.

BTW, I understand about not sharing your uncrowded bathroom secrets. I guess when it comes to the all important potty stop, it does need to be every woman for herself. I am just hoping that imagineers who spent the time and money to study where to strategically place trash cans will also have figured out that we girls need two--make it three--times as many stalls as our male counterparts.

 

[MouseDogMom]

I LOVE your trip report. I only wish I could write like you, and I'm even taking a creative writing class. But nothing they can teach us can touch your natural talent....do you have pixie dust on your fingers perhaps?? I would've posted earlier, but I had a Chemistry test to study for, though I blew off the last couple of topics to sneak back on to the Dis ...don't tell my mom!!! "Honest Ms. McKeand, it was Lala that made me fail this test......Mickey bars are SO much cooler than molarity....."

Too bad Mom's reading the trip report too... but I can forgive her for sneaking off from studying to read the last installment, since I keep sneaking away to my computer to read it too! LaLa, I don't know how you do it, but your writing is amazing. And I can't wait to find out if you got the elusive Dole Whip - your last report certainly made me go in search of one on our last trip, and I have my fingers crossed that you were successful this time!

 

[INdisneyfamily]

As the lights dimmed and we began to move toward our resort, our daughter climbed up into my lap and laid her head on my shoulder. I hugged her tight and gave her a kiss as we settled in for the ride.

You made me cry...boy, do I miss those days! Our daughters are 20, 16, and 12 now...don't know where the time went. Lucky for me they still LOVE Disney!

Anyway, it was really cute to watch and it made me think of my husband and his relationship with our daughter. And all the other sweet Disney Dads out there who work so hard day in and day out and live for family vacation so they can have that moment where the world stops, everything fades away and it’s just them and the ones they love the most. Enjoying each other’s company and making memories together.

The way it should be.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[pongoperdigirl]

LALA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I be lovin your report.
Really.
You actually made me almost spit soda on my screen. With one part.
Which I don't remember.
Cause it was last night.
ANd this is today.

Glad I finally got all caught up.

I want to add this: If I could find a way to get the bed and the bedding from the Contemporary to my house I would. It was freakin amazing.
So I hear ya on the comfortable bed.

 

[PrincessV]

Clearly, I'm late to the party here. But someone recently made the comment on my TR that I sound an eency bit like your DH. In regard to my rules governing the packing of the vehicle, that is. So I had to come over and see if this could possibly be true.


Yep.


Then I saw this:

As he is driving down the road, it’s not enough for him to rely on the signs that were placed along the roadway to guide him towards his destination. No, the road signs are not good enough. He’s gotta kick it up a notch. He must constantly have a visual as to where he is in relation to the map. He also must know, at all times, approximately how many miles away he is from his next turn.

Uh huh. Dead ringer. For the record, I'm a 5' woman. Still, dead ringer.

Okay, back to this awesome story!

 

[lexmelinda]

 

[Frickles]

As the bus made its way out to the back forty, the driver came on over the loudspeaker to make an announcement. He started by informing us that we had all picked the exact perfect time to be in Disneyworld. I immediately wondered if he, too, was from Georgia and was also a pathological liar.

He went on to tell us that us that Disney was on the cusp of kicking off a brand new promotion. Celebration. Promotional celebration.

You know LaLa we had this happen to us to. The same day. We were renting our boat for a ride along the POR river when the CM told us about it. We had stars in our eyes and a major case of the 'what ifs'. Kinda freaky borg cool isn't it? I, like you, thought about my outfit. Borg. I started that morning a little bit tired from a long night out the night before. When Manny took my keys. Soooooo, it wouldn't have mattered if I was wearin bling from head to toe, I looked rough. That was the day I tried to get the golden fastpass due to what happened with my valet parking ordeal. It didn't work though!

Anyway, I don’t like hotel room beds mostly because they all pale in comparison to our bed at home. Our bed is the bomb. Truly. It’s probably the most comfortable bed on the face of the planet. Ever. I love that bed. And it has spoiled me. Anyway, I was a little worried about the beds at the AKL because at first glance, they honestly didn’t look very comfortable.

But they were.

They were surprisingly comfortable.

I was wondering when you were going to start disinfecting this room. Did you bring your Lysol? Do you still feel a need to Lysol the heck out of the place when it is a Deluxe? I have to add, when we stayed at the Poly, I loved loved loved the bed and all the many pillows they gave me to cuddle up with. That is important you know.