Return to the True Path: 12 Days of Bliss
- Thread starter skent10
- Start date
mdsouth
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2005
- Messages
- 3,119
I am loving your report. I can certainly relate to the miscommunications and your disappointment in having to change your well-thought out ADRs. I had a couple of hitches to my plans as well. My DD also had a few meltdowns during our trip as well. I am in the process of writing it all down in my own trip report, To Infinity and Beyond. You do a nice job of adding the little details to your report that make it your own story -- I am trying to do the same. It is fun to read how other people's experiences compare to your own.
Thanks for sharing yours!
Thanks for sharing yours!
TikiGoddess
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2005
- Messages
- 1,000
GASP!!! How dare he try to hijack the plan....he clearly does not comprehend the ramifications of such rash actions. As a fellow uber planner, I feel there should be some type of punishment for the dhs who without any type of warning suddenly decide to think for themselves. Don't be poking fun about time spent on the dis boards only to run all willy nilly through the parks like a chicken w/your head cut off. There is a plan in place for a reason! The world (well, Disney World at least) certainly will stop revolving should you deviate from our carefully constructed plans. It's a wobbly house of cards my friend, and it's ill advised to bump the table. I sincerely hope the next installment finds Scott back on the straight and narrow or measures will have to be taken. Can't wait to see what went terribly wrong...although it could affect me like nails on a chalkboard. 
Keep it coming!
Keep it coming!
skent10
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Messages
- 233
TikiGoddess said:GASP!!! How dare he try to hijack the plan....he clearly does not comprehend the ramifications of such rash actions. As a fellow uber planner, I feel there should be some type of punishment for the dhs who without any type of warning suddenly decide to think for themselves. Don't be poking fun about time spent on the dis boards only to run all willy nilly through the parks like a chicken w/your head cut off. There is a plan in place for a reason! The world (well, Disney World at least) certainly will stop revolving should you deviate from our carefully constructed plans. It's a wobbly house of cards my friend, and it's ill advised to bump the table. I sincerely hope the next installment finds Scott back on the straight and narrow or measures will have to be taken. Can't wait to see what went terribly wrong...although it could affect me like nails on a chalkboard.
Keep it coming!
I knew there was a reason I loved the DIS boards so much--it's all the kindred spirits who understand the necessity of a good plan!
I'm working on the next installment, slowly but surely. Unfortunately, I'm back in the real world with a long list of chores (we're getting ready to put our house on the market) and the kitchen island won't paint itself! If I get it done early enough this evening, I'll be able to finish the next installment in time for tomorrow morning.
Off I go!
disneychickforever
Queen of Disney Elephants
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2006
- Messages
- 1,080
no!!!!! how dare he take over on the trip YOU planned!!!! I know that if anyone did that to me, I'd be crushed....I work hard on my plans, mister!!
I hope to read more tomorrow~ awesome awesome story.....
BTW, I was looking at the pic in your siggy....which is the twins and which aren't? When I first saw it, I thought the boys were the twins!!
I hope to read more tomorrow~ awesome awesome story.....
BTW, I was looking at the pic in your siggy....which is the twins and which aren't? When I first saw it, I thought the boys were the twins!!
javamom
<font color=green>Rumored Avatar Fairy<br><font co
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- Jan 11, 2006
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skent10 said:
No way, I did the same exact thing and I was only trying to make sure that I got my preferred time for the Cinderella Dinner at 1900 Park Fare!!!
We decided not to do CRT, and had heard good things about the Park Fare dinner.
skent10
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Messages
- 233
Sunday, June 18, Part 2
As I watched Scott head around the corner toward the American Adventure, it dawned on me what he was about to do: Lonnie! There was no time to lose; I had to stop him before he got to the door!
Unfortunately, Scotts legs are a lot longer than mine and, with my stomach stuffed with sticky rice and scallops, there was no way I was going catch up with him before he spotted his prey: his childhood friend Lonnie, who was now a CM working at the American Adventure. Without consulting the plan, Scott had decided now was the time to stop by and see if Lonnie was working today. Much to my horror, he was.
Its not that I dont like LonnieI do very much. Its just that I know Lonnie, so I knew that any visit with him would be much, much longer than the days plan would allow. But it was too late. Scott had spotted Lonnie and, more importantly, Lonnie had spotted Scott and our four children with their special light blue t-shirts. This was going to be trouble.
Lonnie is one of those CMs who absolutely love their job and show it to the park guests every day. He was thrilled to see us (he knew we were going to be in town, but we hadnt called him since our arrival to arrange a get together) and, upon realizing today was Scotts birthday, took it upon himself to spread as much
as he could personally manage. He started off by sending Scott over to the telephone for the requisite phone call to Goofy. Of course that turned into five phone calls since each of the kids had to have a turn listening to the birthday message. Meanwhile, Lonnie got a special card out and had it signed by the CMs at the American Adventure. Then we all walked next door to the Liberty Inn where, in the tradition of 18th century town criers, Lonnie marched us through the Dining Area while loudly announcing Scotts birthday to the disinterested crowd of diners. After leading them all in a few rousing Hip hip hoorahs, Lonnie presented Scott with a complimentary dessert: the quintessential American Jell-O (in the appropriate shades of red and blue). Just what we needed, more food.
But it was a nice gesture and, after making us promise to come back next door once the dessert was done, Lonnie left us while he went to get ready for the next presentation. This left me alone with Scott and the kids, and my first opportunity to berate him for his deviant behavior.
What on earth were you doing?! Its almost 2:00 p.m. and we have to go back to the hotel and then get back here again at the front gate by 4:15. This was NOT the time to stop in to see Lonnie!
To my surprise, Scott agreed that it had been a bad decision. He had thought that since we were already so close, it was a good idea to pop over from Japan to say hello to Lonnie for just a minute. It wasnt until he had started talking to Lonnie that he realized theres no such thing as talking to Lonnie for just a minute. But the damage was done, and we were going to have to finish with Lonnie as quickly and politely as possible and then deal with the aftermath.
By the end of our conversation, the kids had managed to polish off the Jell-O (how on earth could they stand to eat another bite of food after our gorging in Japan?) and we went back inside to the Rotunda area. Lonnie proceeded to take us on a tour around the waiting area and showed us all the different oil paintings that had been commissioned especially for the building (it really was interesting). He managed to pull me aside and warn me that we needed to stay for the 2:15 p.m. Voices of Liberty presentation and indicated exactly where he wanted us to sit. We werent going to be slipping away in the next few minutes.
Im glad we stayed though. The Voices of Liberty are a wonderful a cappella group. Scott was treated to their rendition of Happy Birthday and Ryan was singled out for some extra attention during the Skip to My Lou song. But when Lonnie had to get back to business and usher the other park guests up to the second floor for the presentation, we threw him a quick wave goodbye and snuck back out the front doors.
It was now 2:30 p.m. and we were more than an hour behind schedule. I had to do some serious pruning to the plan in order to get us back on course. The most important thing was to get back to the VWLwe werent going to have any time for the scheduled break and dip in the pool, but we had to go back to our room so Scott could get his bathing suit and SCUBA certification card for his DiveQuest adventure. Everything else I had planned for after lunchTest Track and Living with the Landwould have to wait until later.
We trudged back to the bus stop, where things continued to go downhill. There was no bus waiting for our arrival; there was no bus pulling into the stop, none coming around the corner. Instead, we sat and tapped our feet until almost 3:00 p.m. waiting for a bus. It seemed to take forever, and I was starting to get nervous! What were we going to do?
The ride on the empty bus gave us a chance to let our blood pressure return to normal and decide what to do. We were perfectly content to use Disneys transportation when time wasnt of the essence. But now it was. Scott reluctantly agreed that we should probably take a taxi back to Epcot to guarantee his arrival by 4:15 p.m. Because of our number, we would need to call for a van in advance.
So while he gathered his things together and the kids took a short
t.v. break, I called for a taxi van, which the dispatcher assured me would be there as soon as possible. Then we headed to the front lobby to wait for our ride.
As we walked past the bus stop, we noticed a bus bound for Epcot. For a brief second I questioned whether we should run for it but Scott demurred, pointing out that we had already called for a taxi van and that the bus might need to make more than one stop before arriving at Epcot (We never could figure out the reasoning behind the bus system during the whole vacation. Would this bus be stopping at Fort Wilderness first? The Polynesian or Grand Floridian? Or would we be the exclusive resort on the bus ride today?) So we let the bus go on without us and continued our trek to the front lobby.
Where we waited and waited and continued to wait for our van. And continued to grow more nervous with each passing moment. Finally at 4:00 p.m., we couldnt take it anymore. We decided to split up and hope for the best. Scott hopped in one of the taxi cabs that were waiting at the lodge entrance for pick up fares (they werent large enough to accommodate our entire family) and I headed back to the bus stop with the kids to wait for the next bus to Epcot.
I didnt even get a chance to sit down on the bench at the stop before an Epcot bus pulled up (Where were all these Epcot buses an hour ago when we were waiting outside the park?!) and the kids and I made our way back to the park. I never did see a taxi van pull into the Lodge before we left; they never called me on the cell phone number I had given them. For all they seem to care, we could still be waiting out front two weeks later!
Ironically, the Epcot bus took us directly back to the park and we were at Guest Relations by 4:20 p.m. Scott was still waiting with the other divers for their orientation to commencehad we grabbed that first Epcot bus we saw back at the Lodge, wed have made it in plenty of time without the $15.00 cab fare! Oh, well.
The DiveQuest leader soon joined us outside and explained to us when wed be able to catch Scott entering the tank area and where the best viewing areas would be. The kids and I then left Scott with his diving mates and headed back inside the park.
It had been more than an hour since the kids had eaten, so they were of course whining for more food again. We had about 25 minutes to waste before we needed to be back at the Living Seas, so we headed off for some
ice cream. It took way too long to find a vendor who could take our dining plan, so the kids were forced to eat their snack while walking. This is never a good idea. Poor Amanda, who was concentrating so hard on not letting her ice cream drip on her hand, never saw the garbage can coming. All of the sudden it was there, right in the middle of the narrow walkway (and some of you know exactly where Im referring) and, with a loud crash, Amanda was flat on her back with a huge red welt on her forehead and an ice cream cone stuck to her chest.
I dont know if she burst into tears because she was in pain, because she was embarrassed by all the people stopping to stare, or because shed lost her ice cream. But I do know I burst into tears because Id been left alone in the heat of the afternoon in a crowded park with four cranky children, I had less than 5 minutes to get over to the Living Seas and up to the second floor observation area or Id miss Scotts entrance, and our day was going nothing like Id planned.
UP NEXT:
Sunday, June 18, Part 3
Recovery
As I watched Scott head around the corner toward the American Adventure, it dawned on me what he was about to do: Lonnie! There was no time to lose; I had to stop him before he got to the door!
Unfortunately, Scotts legs are a lot longer than mine and, with my stomach stuffed with sticky rice and scallops, there was no way I was going catch up with him before he spotted his prey: his childhood friend Lonnie, who was now a CM working at the American Adventure. Without consulting the plan, Scott had decided now was the time to stop by and see if Lonnie was working today. Much to my horror, he was.
Its not that I dont like LonnieI do very much. Its just that I know Lonnie, so I knew that any visit with him would be much, much longer than the days plan would allow. But it was too late. Scott had spotted Lonnie and, more importantly, Lonnie had spotted Scott and our four children with their special light blue t-shirts. This was going to be trouble.
Lonnie is one of those CMs who absolutely love their job and show it to the park guests every day. He was thrilled to see us (he knew we were going to be in town, but we hadnt called him since our arrival to arrange a get together) and, upon realizing today was Scotts birthday, took it upon himself to spread as much
as he could personally manage. He started off by sending Scott over to the telephone for the requisite phone call to Goofy. Of course that turned into five phone calls since each of the kids had to have a turn listening to the birthday message. Meanwhile, Lonnie got a special card out and had it signed by the CMs at the American Adventure. Then we all walked next door to the Liberty Inn where, in the tradition of 18th century town criers, Lonnie marched us through the Dining Area while loudly announcing Scotts birthday to the disinterested crowd of diners. After leading them all in a few rousing Hip hip hoorahs, Lonnie presented Scott with a complimentary dessert: the quintessential American Jell-O (in the appropriate shades of red and blue). Just what we needed, more food.But it was a nice gesture and, after making us promise to come back next door once the dessert was done, Lonnie left us while he went to get ready for the next presentation. This left me alone with Scott and the kids, and my first opportunity to berate him for his deviant behavior.
What on earth were you doing?! Its almost 2:00 p.m. and we have to go back to the hotel and then get back here again at the front gate by 4:15. This was NOT the time to stop in to see Lonnie!
To my surprise, Scott agreed that it had been a bad decision. He had thought that since we were already so close, it was a good idea to pop over from Japan to say hello to Lonnie for just a minute. It wasnt until he had started talking to Lonnie that he realized theres no such thing as talking to Lonnie for just a minute. But the damage was done, and we were going to have to finish with Lonnie as quickly and politely as possible and then deal with the aftermath.
By the end of our conversation, the kids had managed to polish off the Jell-O (how on earth could they stand to eat another bite of food after our gorging in Japan?) and we went back inside to the Rotunda area. Lonnie proceeded to take us on a tour around the waiting area and showed us all the different oil paintings that had been commissioned especially for the building (it really was interesting). He managed to pull me aside and warn me that we needed to stay for the 2:15 p.m. Voices of Liberty presentation and indicated exactly where he wanted us to sit. We werent going to be slipping away in the next few minutes.
Im glad we stayed though. The Voices of Liberty are a wonderful a cappella group. Scott was treated to their rendition of Happy Birthday and Ryan was singled out for some extra attention during the Skip to My Lou song. But when Lonnie had to get back to business and usher the other park guests up to the second floor for the presentation, we threw him a quick wave goodbye and snuck back out the front doors.
It was now 2:30 p.m. and we were more than an hour behind schedule. I had to do some serious pruning to the plan in order to get us back on course. The most important thing was to get back to the VWLwe werent going to have any time for the scheduled break and dip in the pool, but we had to go back to our room so Scott could get his bathing suit and SCUBA certification card for his DiveQuest adventure. Everything else I had planned for after lunchTest Track and Living with the Landwould have to wait until later.
We trudged back to the bus stop, where things continued to go downhill. There was no bus waiting for our arrival; there was no bus pulling into the stop, none coming around the corner. Instead, we sat and tapped our feet until almost 3:00 p.m. waiting for a bus. It seemed to take forever, and I was starting to get nervous! What were we going to do?
The ride on the empty bus gave us a chance to let our blood pressure return to normal and decide what to do. We were perfectly content to use Disneys transportation when time wasnt of the essence. But now it was. Scott reluctantly agreed that we should probably take a taxi back to Epcot to guarantee his arrival by 4:15 p.m. Because of our number, we would need to call for a van in advance.
So while he gathered his things together and the kids took a short
t.v. break, I called for a taxi van, which the dispatcher assured me would be there as soon as possible. Then we headed to the front lobby to wait for our ride.As we walked past the bus stop, we noticed a bus bound for Epcot. For a brief second I questioned whether we should run for it but Scott demurred, pointing out that we had already called for a taxi van and that the bus might need to make more than one stop before arriving at Epcot (We never could figure out the reasoning behind the bus system during the whole vacation. Would this bus be stopping at Fort Wilderness first? The Polynesian or Grand Floridian? Or would we be the exclusive resort on the bus ride today?) So we let the bus go on without us and continued our trek to the front lobby.
Where we waited and waited and continued to wait for our van. And continued to grow more nervous with each passing moment. Finally at 4:00 p.m., we couldnt take it anymore. We decided to split up and hope for the best. Scott hopped in one of the taxi cabs that were waiting at the lodge entrance for pick up fares (they werent large enough to accommodate our entire family) and I headed back to the bus stop with the kids to wait for the next bus to Epcot.
I didnt even get a chance to sit down on the bench at the stop before an Epcot bus pulled up (Where were all these Epcot buses an hour ago when we were waiting outside the park?!) and the kids and I made our way back to the park. I never did see a taxi van pull into the Lodge before we left; they never called me on the cell phone number I had given them. For all they seem to care, we could still be waiting out front two weeks later!
Ironically, the Epcot bus took us directly back to the park and we were at Guest Relations by 4:20 p.m. Scott was still waiting with the other divers for their orientation to commencehad we grabbed that first Epcot bus we saw back at the Lodge, wed have made it in plenty of time without the $15.00 cab fare! Oh, well.
The DiveQuest leader soon joined us outside and explained to us when wed be able to catch Scott entering the tank area and where the best viewing areas would be. The kids and I then left Scott with his diving mates and headed back inside the park.
It had been more than an hour since the kids had eaten, so they were of course whining for more food again. We had about 25 minutes to waste before we needed to be back at the Living Seas, so we headed off for some
ice cream. It took way too long to find a vendor who could take our dining plan, so the kids were forced to eat their snack while walking. This is never a good idea. Poor Amanda, who was concentrating so hard on not letting her ice cream drip on her hand, never saw the garbage can coming. All of the sudden it was there, right in the middle of the narrow walkway (and some of you know exactly where Im referring) and, with a loud crash, Amanda was flat on her back with a huge red welt on her forehead and an ice cream cone stuck to her chest.I dont know if she burst into tears because she was in pain, because she was embarrassed by all the people stopping to stare, or because shed lost her ice cream. But I do know I burst into tears because Id been left alone in the heat of the afternoon in a crowded park with four cranky children, I had less than 5 minutes to get over to the Living Seas and up to the second floor observation area or Id miss Scotts entrance, and our day was going nothing like Id planned.
UP NEXT:
Sunday, June 18, Part 3
Recovery
skent10
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Messages
- 233
disneychickforever said:
You're not the first person to wonder which are the twins and which aren't. Some people think I have two sets of twins, since Ryan is almost as tall as Megan, even with the 12 month difference. And, yes, the boys do look similar enough that people have thought them the twins, at first glance. But their height difference is significant enough to quickly correct that assumption.
For the record, the twins are the two on the left who are hugging (strangling?) each other. From left to right are Amanda, Parker, Megan and Ryan.
TwinkieMama
<font color=green>Ummmm.... can I phone a friend?
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
- Messages
- 5,379
Oh no! Poor Amanda! I am sure gravity was turned up extra high that day. I am glad to hear that the next segment is entitled Recovery.....
back to waiting... (sigh)
back to waiting... (sigh)
FSUDisneyGirl
<font color=#FF8000>Hey, my eye feels weird....AAA
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2006
- Messages
- 1,639
ditto- happy to hear that the next report is entitled "recovery"!
i can't imagine rushing around with all those kids...so much work!
i actually started reading your trip report cause i saw the link in your signature...and the kids were so adorable, and reminded me a lot of a family i used to babysit for!
looking forward to more!
i can't imagine rushing around with all those kids...so much work!
i actually started reading your trip report cause i saw the link in your signature...and the kids were so adorable, and reminded me a lot of a family i used to babysit for!
looking forward to more!
DebIreland
ಠvಠ
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2005
- Messages
- 3,601
Great report! Really enjoying it! 
MickeyNicki
It is pretty darn sad when a valet picks you out a
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2005
- Messages
- 21,518
Excellent report!!
disneychickforever
Queen of Disney Elephants
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2006
- Messages
- 1,080
6 days of waiting for the next installment.......must read more! LOL
Poor Amanda!!!! and it sounds like you couldn't even go back to get her another one
I can relate tho, I've done that a few times.....one time I actually flipped into the garbage can in front of my crush, thats embarassing......it stinks to be a natural klutz.
Poor Amanda!!!! and it sounds like you couldn't even go back to get her another one
I can relate tho, I've done that a few times.....one time I actually flipped into the garbage can in front of my crush, thats embarassing......it stinks to be a natural klutz.
spokanemom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2006
- Messages
- 769
It is nice to see that there is "recovery" on the horizon. I can't wait to read more. Great job!
fizz13
<font color=33cc99>Dreams about being stuck on Spa
- Joined
- May 6, 2004
- Messages
- 5,791
I am really feeling for you right now and i too am very relieved to see the word "recovery" for the next installment. When will unknowledgable people learn not to interfere with our fabulous plans? I assure you, there is no room for mutiny on my ship either, and offendors will be treated with swiftly and severly (you know....complete withdrawl of mickey bar rights 
)
Great work, will be waiting for more,
)Great work, will be waiting for more,
arizonacolbys
Owner of 2 Crazy Labs!
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2002
- Messages
- 2,280
I'm loving your trip report so far! We don't have any kids yet, but am enjoying reading about all your adventures with 4 little ones!! It sounds like everyone is having a great time so far! Hopefully, poor Amanda will recover from her fall quickly! 
We don't have any kids yet, but am enjoying reading about all your adventures with 4 little ones!! It sounds like everyone is having a great time so far! Hopefully, poor Amanda will recover from her fall quickly! 
AussieAngel
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2006
- Messages
- 1,318
Eeek! Your trip doesn't sound very blissful yet!!
Waiting patiently for the next installment!
Waiting patiently for the next installment!
figmentfan704
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2005
- Messages
- 148
I'm hooked!! I can't wait for more.....
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your matching t-shirts! I'll have to check out the creative/t-shirt board in the morning.
Were they hard to make? I do not have a creative bone in my body!!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your matching t-shirts! I'll have to check out the creative/t-shirt board in the morning.
Were they hard to make? I do not have a creative bone in my body!!
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