Start of Adulthood where everyone is a kid....11/16-11/19-UPDATED* (11/12-page 2)

[disneychickforever]

Okay, I have about 24 days to go until my trip, and nothing to do, so I decided to start my pre-trip report.

Honestly, it must be destiny for us to be going on this vacation....this trip has had party # changes, was supposivly cancelled, etc.. more on that later.

June 2006
It was 5 months before my 18th birthday, and my mom (being a extreme planner...like mother like daughter) told me to start planning a birthday party, and bring her the price quotes. So I call the church hall, my GS leader (who is also a DJ), cater, etc. etc. and get the quote for the type of party my mom wanted me to have....$2500....

When presenting the facts to my mom, I made a joke saying "It'd be cheaper to go to Disney World"

My mom, knowing I love Disney, took me seriously, and this convo took place

Mom: Okay go look up the prices
Me: What?
Mom: You heard me, go and research a quote
Me: For how many people?
Mom: Fallon, you know how many people are in our family
Me: W/ Mary or no, that's what I meant
Mom: the four of us...and Matt too

At this point my jaw dropped to the ground..... my mother....my VERY CATHOLIC mother...wants me to invite my then boyfriend with us?!?!?!?

Mom: Fallon, 2 rooms, I want the quote tonight

So I pinched my arm, slapped my cheek, and walked off ina daze....so much of a daze, I tripped over my dog and slammed my head into the table my mom laughed at my usually klutzyness, and I just walked to the computer, and made 3 quotes
1 for ASMu
1 for POFQ
1 for GF

My parents picked ASMu suite. The chair and ottoman was going to be brought into the bed room, Matt was going to get the living room, dates were set.

I was syked, and talked to my BF at the time (who was on a cruise through europe....lucky person) about it on AIM.

Me: We are going to WDW for my birthday!
Matt: who?
Me: my sister, my parents, and you are invited
Matt: Are we going to Islands?
Me: No! WDW hun, Epcot, MK and MGM
Matt: ...oh...
Me: What?
Matt: I just prefer Islands, but WDW is cool too. How am I going to afford it?
Me: Our treat, you just pay transportation down to Orlando.
Matt: cool, I'll go

So yea, I knew I needed to make a Disney Lover out of him, and my sister, who is deadly afraid of the characters... (The first time she went, she hid under the table at Hollywood and Vine, and Chip or Dale (don't remember the nose) decided to look under the table to play peek-a-boo ...and she ran away so fast....hasn't liked them since)

So my internet quest began, and I found DIS!

Next, changes and almost no trip

 

[disneychickforever]

Okay, I was going to write the next installment later, but I'm bored, so I'll write it now

July 2006
My BF comes back in town, and tells me he feels more for me as a sister than a GF, so we decide to break up. But, I asked him his he was still going to come to Disney w/ us, since I really wanted him there, and he said he'll try

We decided to see what happens

Eventually, all awkwardness went away, and we were able to be "just friends", in fact, we are best friends (so he will now sometimes be referred to as my BFF-Best Friends Forever)....so he was still in the Disney Plans

August 2006
I was looking around DIS, as my Dad saw I started to look upset, and he asked what was wrong, I told him that I wish Mary could come to WDW too... (read: Mary is my 21 DSis and she is autistic, loves Disney, especially Pluto. We had to place her in a group home about 4 years ago, since she was getting unmangable, she comes home every sunday, and sleeps over for Hurricanes and Christmas, and still has a room at home)

So he decides to call her group home, and talk to the director to see how much funds Mary has....not enough...since in FL, Mary would have to pay for herself, and an aide to accompany her....and that's kinda expensive...but my dad said "We'll try"

My Dad also wanted to invite my Nana and Grandma...so I called that night to invite them.

Our party jumped from 5 to 9 in a course of a week. So I called Disney, made all the nesscary arrangemets. Instead of 1 suite, we now would have 4 rooms at ASMu-1 for my parents, my DSis 8, and me; 1 for Matt; 1 for Mary and Aide; one for Nana and Grandma

Wow, what a change...

Also, around this time room rate discounts came out, so we applied them.

September 2006
Prices are becoming a reality, my dad already missed the first downpayment date, and I had to replan everything, again. The first CM I got was extremely rude, and seem very wasted since we already lost our ressies once, so we "must not be able to afford a vacation" As I was trying to figure out the best rate to go by, she said "call us back whaen you know what you are doing" and HUNG UP ON ME!

Due to the fact I forgot to take down her name, I decided to call back when she would be most likely off shift. and I am glad. I got a really cool CM, who, like me, loved Broadway. So while she was waiting for pages to load, we talked about different shows and stuff we've seen/would like to see etc. She put a request in for me for the Broadway Building at ASMu, something I didn't know you could do! I felt I was sprinkled w/ pixie dust , and went on my merry way, so so happy.

2 weeks later, we lost ressies again...

I realized that maybe my folks couldn't afford this, and told them, with a heavy heart, that I didn't want to go anymore. When asked why, I said I didn't want to ruin the holidays for everyone, and seeing as they are having some much trouble w/ the down payment, that is what will happen

They told me they cancelled.

At this point, I rarely came on DIS, for the fact I was severely depressed.

October 2006

Seeing as my brithday was only a month away, and not wanting it to pass by like nothing, I started asking what I can do for it at least

My parents wouldn't listen to any of my ideas....

About a couple days later, my mom let it slip that we were still doing Disney, and she needed to talk to Matt about coming...

Again, mouth wide open, I literally caught a fly...gross...

SO....we were still going to the World, and I was trying to convince my mom to convince my dad to "tell me" about it

When he FINALLY did...well...it was a good thing he did....

He decided to change the resort ressie to POR, a room w/ a trundle bed...for them, me, my sister, and my ex....

in case you don't know, the trundle beds (which is what my dad was going to have my ex sleep on...a 6'4" guy....)are made for kids ages 9 and under....

So, if it turned out I would not have known, I would have had to share a bed with my ex...can anyone say AWKWARD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Reminder-Catholic Family-makes it no better

so, anyway, called Disney, changed ressies to 2 rooms at ASMu in Broadway Building, and made sure all the dinner ressies were there (another good thing, since he cancelled Alfredos on accident...his favorite resturant, one of mine also)

So, with the orginal cast (grandmothers didn't want to go, and parents decide it'd be to much for Mary...only agreed if they'd let me buy lots of pluto stuff for her)we were all ready to go...

Also, this month, last weekend actually, my dad had me order MVMCP tickets!

We found out Matt was going to come by greyhound, my mom didn't likethe idea, so she paid the difference for airfare.

Now, me thinking, a month earlier they couldn't afford a downpayment, now this weekend alone they dished out about $500 (my mom also got a new pair of crocs)...which makes me think...either
a) they aren't really thinking of prices
b)won the lotto w/o telling me
or
c) my dad joined the italian mafia...

so yea. anyway...I need to buy 6 more shirts, t-shirt transfers (they are $15 for 5 sheets!!! anyone know where I can get them cheaper?), and some ziplock bags, and start packing

Next Installment: The cast

 

[tiki23]

Wow, the planning for this trip has been a rollercoaster unto itself!

It sounds like your parents are trying to give you a magical birthday.

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, VERY NICE writing style! Keep GOING!! AND ! Joan

 

[OhMari]

Wow, wasn't that had to be a birthday surprise, can you imagine if you didn't find out?

 

[Avivasmom]

Great pre-trip report...so you are from my neck of the woods? I am in broward county and I use to work in groups homes too!!

I cannot wait to hear your trip report!!

 

[disneychickforever]

Wow, the planning for this trip has been a rollercoaster unto itself!

It sounds like your parents are trying to give you a magical birthday.

Looking forward to reading more.

Yes, they are trying very hard, and I am very happy about it. I'm very lucky But boy, are you more than right! and in the middle of all this, my dad wanted me to start planning for a family reunion next summer!

Thanks for posting!!

 

[disneychickforever]

Hi, VERY NICE writing style! Keep GOING!! AND ! Joan

Thanks! I love to write, and I hope I can measure up to at least 1/2 of the skills I have seen in trip reports on DIS, a good number of them are hilarous.

 

[disneychickforever]

Wow, wasn't that had to be a birthday surprise, can you imagine if you didn't find out?

Oh Gosh....can you imagine? He might have thought I was trying to seduce him! That would have put a damper on the pixiedust....just a tad...lol

Thanks for the post

 

[disneychickforever]

Great pre-trip report...so you are from my neck of the woods? I am in broward county and I use to work in groups homes too!!

I cannot wait to hear your trip report!!

Hello Neighbor! I am in Broward also, and so is my sister. Which group home did you work in? Maybe you worked in Mary's!

Thanks for reading and posting!


I will come up with the next part sometime this week. I have tests and research papers, plus work, Girl Scouts, church....I'm just a busy busy girl!! But I promise the cast etc. is coming soon!

 

[disneychickforever]

Now, since I have writers block on my Speech for Communications, I decided to work on this to loosen it up..

The Cast is in age order.....

The Cast

DMom, Mommy, Mother, Pat, Patty Cakes---Age mid 50's (don't let her know I told ya!), is mistaken as 30 something sometimes though---Is always trying to make a joke and seem "cool", lol, and she is cool, for a mom (jk). Has a hard time keeping a secret, especially when she is excited. She loves Minnie Mouse , and is looking forward to this trip, and took the whole week off to prepare. I got my planning instincts from her, if anyone. She can take a "casual" Christmas picture, and make it a two hour project, which makes me wonder what she'll do with the characters. She works at one of the malls down here, and I have no idea how long she has, but can sell almost anything. Originally wanted to be a nurse, and worked at the hospital for 5 years or something, but changed her mind. She didn't go to college, but doesn't mind to much. Loves her job, and anything homemade.

DDad, Daddy, Father, Ben, "Fat Boy", "Gay Guy" (his best friend's nicknames)---Age mid 50's---Has Moods that bounce around like Tigger , but a really cool Dad. Works hard to make sure his kids are happy....to the point he accidentally spoils his baby....Loves to shop for cars and boats, he dreams of owning a boat again one day (he had to sell his original, out of repair), and collects and plays with model trains. Absolutely loves trains. He works at the post office (which explains his moods....hasn't gone postal tho........yet....lol) and has recently hit his 35 years mark. Took this route instead of college, and regrets it. He hit a 105 fever at age 5 for a day or two, impairing his speech...one time a cop asked if he was drunk, but he wasn't, just slurs words sometimes. This is why he didn't go to college, he said he "couldn't handle it"....

DBFF, Matt, Professor, "Matthew Mark John" (has three of the four gospels!!)---Age 19---Is the first person to claim I was Disney Obsessed....basically because almost every convo we had lately ties Disney, DIS, or something of the sort, into it. Goes to college in Atlanta, and feels bad when accepting any type of gift. He is a science FANATIC , and tends to use big words and go into long science monologues no one really understands (jk Matt!) But seriously, you ask him anything about science, he most likely can answer you in a blink of an eye. Really smart. His favorite park is ISLANDS!! , but I am hoping to convert him into a Disney lover on this trip with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust. He absolutely loves Peter Pan, but thinks Tinkerbell is evil (Keep in mind, he is going by the original novel, not the Disney version) but for someone who enjoys Peter Pan so much, I ended up buying his first copy last Christmas! Is arriving a day later than the rest of us.

Me, disneychickforever, Fallon, Lyn, Cecelia, "Sissy", Queen of the Disney Elephants---Age 18 on arrival---A first semester freshman at my community college. Major is currently Elementary Education, but will be changed to Psychology since I need room for electives that are preqs for my future major...which isn't offered at my school....I want to major in Mass Communications with a concentration in Radio and Television. Active in my church youth group "the short bus kids", and often have either a camera or a drawing book at hand. Loves Broadway, especially musicals, and favorite play is Into the Woods with Bernadette Peters. Grew up with Julie Andrews and Mary Poppins. Favorite character is Dumbo , and I can relate to him. I am quite different, and have been mocked for it, but I don't care. Favorite Disney Song is "Out There" from Hunchback of Norte Dame, and I will sing along almost everytime. I am dying to be able to do the store where you can make a CD, and sing that song in my key. Works as a daycare person, and is climbed on by the kids every single day, and one of the only ones who will let them do so, and doesn't mind to much. Hopes to work in a Radio Station, TV Station, or be a teacher one day.

DSis, Allison, Alli, Maria, "Brat" (when I'm pissed...I try not to tho!)---Age 8---Is a sweet kid, as long as she gets her way. I can get along with her perfectly fine, as long as parents don't interfere....Can basically get anything she wants with a little pout, since mom and dad doesn't really want to deal. I have seen a sweet side to her though, and love her to pieces! Is deathly afraid of characters, and we hope to crush that fear this trip, but no forcing, not from me anyway. I booked an 'Ohana's breakfast for her, since she LOVES Lilo and Stitch She is in the 2nd grade, was Belle for Halloween, and her favorite Disney song is "Supercalifragilisticexpaldious" (sp?), and is doing the countdown with me. Doesn't understand consequences to well though....

Well, that's our cast basically...I know it's long, but it cured my writers block!

 

[Avivasmom]

I worked at ARC group homes...I am also in school for my Master's Degree..in Exceptional Student Education (special education). Will be finished in June. I go to Nova.

We will be at Disney Sunday and cannot wait...Aviva still has no clue!!

 

[monymony3471]

Hey Fallon, I started my pre-trip at 24 days too. Funny. Oh the ups and downs of planning. Glad things turned around for you.

 

[disneychickforever]

Hey Fallon, I started my pre-trip at 24 days too. Funny. Oh the ups and downs of planning. Glad things turned around for you.

I'm glad also! Only 15 days, and I am on ends! Working on Window designs and T-shirts....so much to do! And we need to pack AHHHHHH lol.


Yea, a little hyper...to much Halloween candy probably.

 

[monymony3471]

I made window clings too for our trip. There's a thread about staying at Pop Century and decortating your window that is very inspiring. Lot's of pics of other diser's windows and doors.

 

[disneychickforever]

I made window clings too for our trip. There's a thread about staying at Pop Century and decortating your window that is very inspiring. Lot's of pics of other diser's windows and doors.

Ah, see, I have no time to make window clings...I'm doing a poster and mickey heads, plus stuffed animals, and hopefully some drawings....

hopefully being the most important word there

 

[monymony3471]

There's nothing to window clings. Find some clip art you like on line and copy them and add them to like a word doc. I added some sayings. Buy some window cling paper for your printer. Done. They were so easy.

Posters are nice too though. To me, just a bit more time consuming. Take pictures of your window and door if you do decorate. Lots of people are interested in that type of stuff.

 

[disneychickforever]

There's nothing to window clings. Fing some clip art you link on line and copy them and add them to like a word doc. I added some sayings. Buy some window cling paper for your printer. Done. They were so easy.

Posters are nice too though. To me, just a bit more time consuming. Take pictures of your window and door if you do decorate. Lots of people are interested in that type of stuff.

Will do, I started my drawings yesterday, only have a few more to do. Plus my poster will hopefully *crosses fingers* be done this week.


I know it's easy...but the thing is we are already buying 23 t-shirt transfer papers, 6 more shirts, etc. The bill is getting kinda high....so I'll have to see what we can do on that. Plus I LOVE to draw (I did say I am rarely seen w/o a drawing book..), and the poster would be fun for me

 

[disneychickforever]

I was on the phone w/ Disney the last couple of nights trying to get my reservation straight.

It all started when I was trying to add Magical Express to our ressie for Matt. Thank God I had to do this! The person on the phone told me that Matt wasn't on the ressie, though I've added him myraids of times! So I call up Disney, and talk to someone, the person told me that the ressie was cancelled and money refunded to our debt card for a THIRD TIME! I was so confused, so the lady (probably getting annoyed at me for not understanding what she was saying) told me that it was "taken care of"

I wasn't fully convinced, but it was 10:30, shop was closed for the night.

So I called again last night, got a wonderful lady named Maude, and said I wanted to check on my ressies, since things have been mixed up when they switiched systems. Turns out, the other lady lyed to me! The 1st room was still cancelled! SO, I talked politely (it wasn't Maude's fault after all), and said we recieved a recipt that day saying the deposit was paid-in-full.

She called guest services, and we both were on hold for a good 30 minutes....

After that, they tell us that it was indeed cancelled and refunded!!!! My dad, having larignitis and not able to yell at them, told me to ask if they are going to give us a discount on tickets or something, due to the incovience...he has me on the phone again now trying to figure this out... (He is hoping for an upgrade, lol)

I personally don't think it will happen, but I am still asking, what's the harm in that?

Being hold so much though, I figured out one of the CDs they use for the hold music is "Disney's Greatest, Volume 1"---and its playing along in perfect time on my computer as well sad, I know....but being on hold is so boring! At least I like the hold music.

Well, I'm off now, no extra thing was offered (knew it! hahahahaha) but we have everything in place!!

Now I need to call Crystal Palace about birthday cakes...yum yum yum

But yea, thought I'd update, not my best, but ah well, lots to do!

Afterthought:
I just made my DISCard! Here is what it looks like

I love it, lol.

 

[disneychickforever]

Lovely lovely update...

20 of the 22 shirts are made, still need to make window things, but all in all, I am doing pretty well...right? WRONG!

I wake up this morning, and try to start singing "10 more daaaays, 10 more daaays" when...wait a minute! I'm barely making any noise!!! Yes, ladies and gents, I have laraingitis!! Oh, no, but not only that, I also have the flu, with a nose that is trying to run to WDW w/o me (I went through 1 1/2 boxes of tissues today). Not only am I sick, my dad is too...and has been for a week (guess who I caught it from)

So yes...I'm sick right before my WDW Birthday trip...and it's nice and breezy out! (at least I love the weather) But I have a feeling it will be no water rides for me (bye bye splash mountain )

Any words of encouragement?