Reality has absolutely no place in our world...a colorful TR update 2/27/07

[poppinspal]

Well I'm not going to start this trip report by saying any of the traditional things about if you don't read this I'll understand. Why? Because in reality if you don't want to read it I'm going to come to your house and chain you down till you read it. So in reality one way or another you'll read it. So off we go with my first TR and the traditional get to know your author part.

Our trip consists of two people with many minor cast members taking part at different stages. So let me introduce the major players.

My dbf- Brandon, 28 and at this point in the story his feelings towards all things Disney are mixed. Pooh and pals, yes. Pirates, yes. Everything else... he's a bit wishy-washy about. He's my tough guy with a very soft center. He's got his manly tattoos of different things like Anubis, the Egyptian god of the dead. All he has to do is stand next to me and guys in the bars know to stay away. But inside he's this sensitive guy who owns stuffed animals. (For those who don't know this is a big deal for a guy like him. It's like a preppy girl owning a gun, it doesn't fit.) He doesn't let this side out and might not be too happy with me sharing but I know you DIS people won't let it out.

I'll share a photo of him so you see who the man is who I manage to drag along on this trip with me.

That would be him holding my puppy.

Me-Megan, 24 and I'm the absolutely Disney crazy girl. I've grown up on the movies, the parks and all the things that come along with that. I'm not so easy to describe. At times I'm sweet, quiet and innocent. But I've been known to be stubborn, strong and determined. In a word I'm a perfect blend of my Irish and Italian roots. I also find I have interests in so many things- art, sports, food... I think I just love to try everything. I think that's why Disney World is great for me, there's no limit to what I can explore.

I suppose you should get a picture of me as well. Here's me with my brother in Disney this past December.

So before I go on to the actual trip let me share a little about our past. (That would be my dbf and myself.) My bf and I live two towns away, both of us have had some difficult times in our lives. In reality we're lucky that we have the lives we have because I know that many have it a lot worse. (No lectures needed here kids!) But at times it has seemed like the weight of the world rested on our shoulders. But we found each other in a round about way and suddenly it felt like we were sharing the weight. He's, as he would say, the Will to my Skylar. (Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon to my Minnie Driver. I love seeing my city in a movie. Off topic but oh well.) In other words he's a working class guy who never went to college. I come from a nice town and college was the only option. We're so opposite in some ways but that makes our life together better. We share enough interests that we get along. I guess I should mention that I left school after two years... or was asked to leave. Life got hard and partying was my response to all of it. Don't judge, I was 18 and away from my sheltered town for the first time. And what lessons I learned from those years gave me a greater understanding of the type of person I wanted to be. I mention this only because it was a pretty important time in my life. If my life was a movie this would be the dramatic middle.

But now I've left my life as Marion(from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Remember her first scene when she is going drink for drink with that guy?), there are pieces of her left in me but she's mostly gone. Now I'm the girl who can have a few drinks or not but either way I'm a lot more fun then I was in college. I'm working my way to finishing my degree. Some days I leave my house at 7:30 and don't get home till 10:00 at night. It makes for long days but I put myself here and so I'll pay the price to get out of it. My boyfriend has his own stories but those are not mine to tell here. But at times we need an escape from the world. We need to get away and pretend that it's just the two of us and that our lives aren't as messy as they are right now. (Unhappy in our jobs and the usual growing up things.) And what better place to get away to then Disney World.

Part 2: Come on get happy. The TR takes a lighter tone and I go into planning mode. Batten down the hatches, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

 

[poppinspal]

Now if I haven't lost you yet then be happy, I won't have to tie you to your computer chair. So now you know the main players, here's how the idea of the trip was hatched.

So I met my boyfriend just before our disney trip and we officially became an item just after my trip. (We started going steady, next he might give me his high school pin. That's a joke people, I'm not sure people still get pinned. ) He heard me talking about the trip and how great it was even though my brother was really sick and that we had a different time then we normally do. He also knew I was just itching to go back and see the things I had missed with my family. So one day as we're heading off some place he casually mentions that maybe we could take a trip to WDW in the fall.

Now on the outside I'm calm and sweetly tell him how lovely I think that would be. On the inside bells, whistles, crazy flashing lights are going off for many reasons. First is that this was only about four months into our relationship. So now I'm aware that he's thinking long term but more importantly I'll get to go to Disney twice in one year. (Priorities people.) So the seed of an idea was planted and for a little while longer it just stayed a seed. (I don't really have a green thumb. I kill most plants but mental seeds stay healthy with me.)

So then the offer comes out... free dinning plan. That's it time to book, I call up the beau and say when should we go. August he thinks. HA! See now he's lacking a solid Disney education. He isn't aware of the hot weather and sometimes just before school starts crowds. I hint, suggest, essentially tell him that we will be going in September. September 15-23, great it's all decided. I've called and booked. Let the count down start.

But you don't know that my life is never that easy. There were six million and two things that made that not the week for us to go but the only time that worked was the first week in October, were we really going to have to give up free food? We love food, we love free things...this was a marriage of two of our favorite things! But the Disney Pixie dust was sprinkled A kind CM moved my reservations back and said that because we'd be checking in on September 29th we'd still get free food! So the happy dance was on.

Now over the next few months I read up on my UOG(unofficial guide) and surfed the DIS boards till my fingers were ready to cramp. I made lists(I'm a list maker) then I made lists for my lists. I tried tried to discuss my ADRs with him, I wanted to make decisions together. I tried to get him excited for the rides and all there was to see. But all he'd say was he'd be excited when it was closer. I was a little let down but my brother was like this for our family trips and always had fun. Oh have I mentioned my boyfriend hadn't been in about 12 years? So I guess his lack of excitement was due to not remember or knowing about a lot of the fun.

Fast forward to the weeks before the trip. I'm in DIS mode, counting down each second to the trip. My boyfriend... he's saying he's not sure what he got himself into. He says I'm so crazy about it and he's not sure this was a good idea. My little heart is crushed by this. My cousin gets him a little excited by telling him more about WDW. (Her family loves WDW too.) He's a little excited because he thinks she's not as crazy about WDW as I am. (Little does he know she writes with Disney pens and has her attena topper proudly on her car despite his missing one ear! Don't worry I got her a new one on the trip.)

Now just days before the trip I'm wondering if he'll even go. He's grumbling about my Disney obsession then he got sick. He's not a happy camper and I'm in a panic. Is this trip on? What if he doesn't go?

Stay tuned for Part 3...time to head to the world, will the boy be along for the ride?

 

[pumba]

sounds like my kind of man......actually my hubby is sort of that way and HE LOVES DISNEY
Thanks for getting us in the disney mode

 

[poppinspal]

I didn't know this was my kind of guy till I started dating him. Life is funny that way.

Thanks for being my first comment. I have some amazing pictures too so hopefully that will really bring the disney spirit around.

 

[Goofster57]

Looking forward to more installments

 

[happybratpack]

Enjoying your report, can't wait to read more!

 

[swankybeth]

Looking forward to more!

 

[daisy_77]

Great start!
I look forward to reading more!!

 

[JoAnnPan]

Thanks for sharing ~ also looking forward to the rest

 

[poppinspal]

Thanks to everyone for all the comments. It's nice to know that a few people are here reading. So on with the show.

Thursday, the night before we were supposed to leave, I swing by my boyfriend's for a little before heading home to finish packing. I still haven't voiced my worry about if he'll actually be joining me on this trip. Call me a wimp, call me an idiot but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Plus I figured he'd have told me by now if he wasn't going. But I saw him Thursday and he's still sick and not so excited about the trip. His eyes have that glazed over sick look to them and he's wrapped up in a blanket. Now I don't know why it is but guys always seem to be warm, it gets cold here in Boston and my boyfriend thinks I fleece is enough to keep him warm. I on the other hand need my scarf, gloves and my pretty winter jackets. So for me to be comfortable and him in a blanket this is a bad sign, I think hell had probably froze over.

So I muster up some guts and ask him.... is he sure he's coming along with me? Then he says the one thing that I have been waiting months to hear. He's going on this trip no matter what and if he's sick he'll just take his medicine and keep on going. I can't tell you the relief I felt in this moment. It may seem silly but this trip was a biggie for me.

Oh I didn't tell you... I'm not a Disney virgin, not by any stretch of the imagination. BUT.... I'd never been without my family!!!! Now this may not seem like a big deal but my Mom has always been the women in charge. She's usually the one making sure we get to our ADRs and that we're on time for things. So now I'm that women. And to think I almost lost my tour group(well my tour person) before the trip had started...that wasn't good.

So we were set to take off at 8:20 pm on Friday the 29th out of Providence. Now I'm one of those people that likes to be early to everything. So let's plan on getting to the airport around 6:20 and it takes about an hour at most to get to Providence from my house so leave at 5:20. That puts us right in the middle of rush hour so let's make it about 4:30 at the latest to be on the safe side.

Oops nope I was totally wrong my bf's parents (who are driving us to have an excuse to visit his brother at school in Providence) tell us we'll be leaving at 2:00 on the dot. 2:00 for a 8:20 flight? Yup, you read that right. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now. But I said okay and figured we'd have a meal at one of the places at the airport.

I wake up the day we leave with a sore throat, I can't believe god hates me this much. I mean he must really be mad at me to do this to me. It's also about 4 am and I can't get back to sleep. I hate this feeling, knowing I'm up too early but being unable to roll over to sleep more. So at about 8 I get up to shower and finish up packing the little things. At about 8:30 who should show up at my door but my boyfriend. It's a good thing I'm a list person. I had packed most of the things on my list the night before and I was able to get the rest while he talked to my mom and played with the family dog. So now the next question is why was he at my house so early in the morning, right?

He's a last minute packer and wanted to pick me before he packed so I could help him decide what to bring. He also wanted to have time to wash anything he might have forgot the night before. We're of two different schools when it comes to packing but it works out in the end. So we spend the day with him packing, we grab lunch at our favorite pizza place and by 2:00 we're outside getting ready to leave. His grandfather comes running out to give my boyfriend $50 to take on the trip and me $20. This is sweet and makes me laugh at how important his grandfather thinks it is to give me something as weel. He makes me smile. We're putting our suitcases in the car and double checking I have our flight info when... drip drip drip...the rain starts. Quick into the car before we all melt like the witch in Wizard of Oz.

The ride to the airport is... well I have no adjective to capture it. I wish I had a video camera to get it all on film. My boyfriend's step-father is driving and his mom thinks it's her job to inform him how to drive. This makes it funny to start with. Turn on your wipers, the turn is coming up, be careful the roads are wet...these are all extremely obvious to him. Then we get on the road and it becomes even funnier. The step-father(Steve) is like no driver I have ever ridden with. He's driving along kindly(well maybe not so kindly) informing all parties on the road of exactly where they should be. We passed many "idiots" on the drive down and plenty of people who should not be driving, at least according to Steve. My boyfriend and I sit in back laughing mostly. A couple of times I have the death grip on his hand as we get a little too close to an 18 wheeler for my comfort.

Then as we're getting closer to Providence comes the best question of the trip... who brought the directions to the airport? Another conversation I wish I had on tape.

My bf-I thought you were getting them.
Me-You were in charge of transportation to the airport, why would I get them?
My bf to his mother- I thought you guys said you knew how to get there.
his mom- We know how to get to Providence and there are signs.
My bf to me-You really didn't get the directions?
Me-No. (I point to the map book in front of him.)
My bf-Yes, a map of greater Boston will do us a lot of good.
Me-Well your mom says there are signs.
Steve made some smart comment here about how stupid we all are but I'll never be able to remember it or do it justice if I tried.

So we follow the signs and then come to realize that following the signs took us a more round about way then we needed to go. Steve says he just wanted us to see the lovely highways of Rhode Island. But we arrive in one piece at the Providence airport.

Part 4: In which we try to figure out what to do at the airport and we finally arrive at WDW.

 

[blue_river]

heh - heh - i'm subscribing! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[Hound 109]

....cause after reading your first paragraph, I decided I better sign up.

So now I'm aware that he's thinking long term but more importantly I'll get to go to Disney twice in one year. (Priorities people.)

And after reading that line I was glad that I did.

I call up the beau

I wasn't aware kiddos even used that term anymore. Cool.


I'm in.

 

[momoftriplets]

Loving the report! Can't wait for more!
Barb

 

[poppinspal]

Hound109- Luckily I have a guy who I can say those things to and he laughs as well. When he got sick before the trip we kept joking that I only wanted him to get better so I could go full speed while there. I still use beau although more so in writing things then in talking. (I think mostly because people would give me odd looks if I said it.)

Blueriver & momoftriplets, thanks for reading I hope you stay with me!

 

[kimwim8]

I'm going to live vicariously through you and your trip report for now. Ahhhhhh to enjoy WDW as a young couple! Not that we're an OLD couple, but the whole kids tagging along thing makes it a different kind of trip.

Keep em' coming! And bring on the pictures!!

 

[Goofster57]

Thanks for sharing with us, had to sign up to see what happens next

We are no youngsters, but my wife and I have never been to WDW by ourselves it has always been with the kids, parents, in-laws etc….In January we are headed back with a group, but now that the kids are older and are taking friends with them I am really looking forward to just getting to enjoy WDW with my wife.

 

[poppinspal]

Work is slow today so you get more trippie from me. So if you recall we had just arrived at the aiport and it's about 3 in the afternoon. (Five and a half hours early for our flight. Do you think it's wrong that I had hoped for long security lines?)

So we don't get the usual dump and run airport drop off. Steve had to go to the bathroom and on our lovely tour of the Rhode Island roads we hadn't hit one rest stop. Well now all this talk of bathrooms leaves me having to go too. We pull into the parking garage and try the handicap spots on the ground level. (No, we're not those people who park there when they aren't supposed to. My bf's mother has MS and she can't walk well.) Well it seems that all three of the handicap spots are in use so we drive up and up and up and up again. Is this the busiest airport in America? Is this the worst joke ever? I need to pee people and it won't be pretty if I have an accident in the only pair of jeans I have with me. FINALLY after three years (or a minute really) we get a parking spot, on the top floor. So now we run for the restrooms right? WRONG. My bf's mother is feeling dizzy, we're rolling along our bags. (Of course it's Mickey luggage from disneyshopping.com that was on sale and then 15% off making it only $45 dollars for the set of three. We look stylish with our matching bags, I don't care if others think it's dorky I know we're hip.)

So finally I manage to make it to a bathroom but on my way back to where my little group was waiting for me I notice this is not at all like my beloved Logan Airport. (In Boston.) There are these huge machines that look like they were invented to preform painful tests on you. There are people milling about and Southwest looms in front of me scary for a first timer. Southwest and I are like two gunslingers going into a duel, I'm only hoping I'm the faster draw. But we say good bye to the fam (despite being currently unmarried and all they are now my family too.) We march up to the Southwest counter proud to be carrying A boarding passes to find out that... our plane is delayed and we won't be boarding till 9:30. So that now gives about six and a half hours to wait for our plane. Then we get our first shower of pixie dust. Thanks Tink. The woman at the counter says normally they aren't supposed to do this but she's going to move us to an earlier flight...for no charge! This is really too good to be true isn't it? She types away at her computer putting in information and asking us that if the plane is over booked please help her out by offering to give up our seats and take our original flight.

Anything for my new best friend. She hands us our new boarding passes complete with a big fat C on them and sends us on our way to get our bags checked. Now we're the last people to board but hey we'll be in the world much earlier! But wait... did she just say to get our bags checked? Didn't she just weigh them and put the tags on? Oh but things have changed since December... we drag our bags over and wait for those scary machines I saw earlier to scan our bags. Okay no problem our flight now leaves at 6:30 we've still got time. (Not five hours but still we have plenty of time.) So we sit and wait and wait some more. Oops the machine broke they have to move us all over to a new machine. (The people whose flights were soon just got theirs hand checked.) So we're waiting at the new machine by where the bags will pop out. All of a sudden whizz bam boom(cue the old time Batman sound affects) my boyfriends bag comes flying out of the machine, knocks off some empty containers and falls to the floor. I turn to him and laugh then I remember its really my Mickey luggage. As more and more bags come down the shoot my boyfriends bag gets knocked around, I think it's jinxed. I laugh saying mine will be the last bag they do. But before we know it my is coming down the pipe like and we're done with waiting... at least for now.

Now we manage to get past the security check without any real big problems and we're parked at the gate killing our almost two hours till take off. At this point you'd think we both have ADD. We're both pulling our books out of the carry on then putting them back in. We're talking about the trip and making sure we have cold medicine. (We're still battling the sniffles. So romantic. The couple that sniffles together stays together?) I saw the bathroom a few more times. (Better to go before then on the plane.) Finally I get up and go get some food from the Friday's take out window by our gate. This was the way to go. We didn't have to wait for a table. (The line was way too long.) And we weren't starving by the time we got to the World.

By now people are starting to show up at the gate and I'm just one big ball of energy and I'm taking in all thats going on. I'd never flown southwest so it was interesting to see the way people lined up for A, B and C sections. There was a mom, what appeared to be her mother or mil(or older friend maybe?) and her daughter sitting across from us waiting to board. Do you know when you see people who you just pray aren't sitting near you or at the same hotel? They were those people. The daughter wasn't running around screaming but was obviously an only child who had very few rules. She was rude to all around her, she was talking in not so hushed whispers about me and the mil/mother/friend person found that everything was not done the way it should be. They had Magic Express tickets that stated they were in the AKL area like us, my boyfriend leaned over and said he hoped this was a family we wouldn't see a lot of on the trip. I hate saying that about people but I agreed with him.

Eventually we got in the C line and waited for our turn to board. I told my boyfriend to pray for seats together and pray that we didn't need to give up the seats. As the passengers from the planes last leg unloaded a guy walked up and told us he'd left a little money behind for us. They'd come from Vegas, we informed him we were headed to WDW. We had a good laugh. We boarded and even more pixie dust came our way as we got seats together (window and middle like we wanted) and didn't have to give up our seats! I sat in the middle and the women who sat next to me was with three other people who were on their way to a funeral. I was sad for them but they were shockingly up beat. One of the people said it was his first time on a plane.

The Southwest people were so nice. They had a lot of personality and made jokes the entire trip. We were served ritz crackers shaped as planes and I'm not sure what the other snack was. I know there was another but I can't remember what. For drinks I got a sprite and my boyfriend paid $5 for a can of Bud. For the record my free sprite was only the traditional little airplane cup no can as well. $5 for a beer is the average in Boston and my boy got the entire can, not bad. The flight was smooth and the landing wasn't as bad as I thought. The cold made my ears feel even worse but I delt. All in all I had a happy flight. Oh and the family we didn't like in the airport wasn't near us, even better.

Part 5: Okay NOW we're in WDW but... will we have clothes to wear this week?

 

[poppinspal]

kimwim-Pictures will probably come in the next post or two, depending on how long winded I get! I can't say that we did an ultra romantic trip but it was fun being down there just the two of us!

Goofster-My family traditionally goes down the five of us and we've been known to take other family members along. It was fun to not have to check to see what everyone else wanted to do or wait for them all to shower. I say go with your wife and have fun, it'll be like a whole new world.

 

[JamesMom]

Keep it coming. Great start! Can't wait to read the rest.

 

[LAS]

Keep it coming. Your trip report is great.