The Big Reveal!!!
So we made it. 15 months, with a few near misses with the kids almost finding out
but we made it and now the trip was about to begin! It was Friday December 11, 2009. We got the kids ready and sent them on their way to school-15 months later and STILL NOT suspecting a thing. Glenn and I finished packing last minute things, the dogs were taken to the vets (who will board them while we are away). I went for a manicure and pedicure
almost ready
Finally, Glenn went and picked up the kids from school. They came home and were told to take showers quickly, so we could take the grandparents out for their 43rd Anniversary And they did-I couldnt believe it---no fighting, no feuding, they just did it. Austin bounced out of the shower first and worked on his homework. Erika soon followed-her hair was even dried, flat ironed and she had a small bunch pulled back-without being told to do it
wow! What was going on here! The grandparents arrived on perfect cue. For me, time was passing soooo slowly..every minute seemed like an eternity! Glenn, was Mr Cool! Slowly, he made his way and hid the video camera in the palm of his hand. That was it. I had to do my best acting ever!
I started out by saying the reason Dad and I stayed home from work today was we had decided to go shopping and we got them something and put it under the tree. They were both shy at first looking at the boxes-then Erika read aloudit says to be opened December 11th. I said, so open it. Both opened their boxes at the same time. The first paper, had a Mickey Santa on it and said Surprise, we are going to Disney for Christmas but didnt give a whole lot of details. She ask when we were going
.but I just said, whats the next paper say. ..she started to read it
it was the Disney Commandments---which I made up and will post later on. After, reading thru the Commandments, I asked, so you wanna know when we are leaving and with a squeal from Erika and ah, well yeah from Austin, I threw them t-shirts we had made..they said, surprise, we are leaving for Disney right now! I dont remember much after that, but there sure was A LOT of screaming and yelling! Yep, they were pumped! And we were off!
The grandparents dropped us off at the airport, with instructions to say hello to Goofy, Chip and Dale for them, along with 4 big bags (with an extra one being piggy backed inside another one---for extra space coming back!), 4 carry on bags, 2 computer bags, and a folder which has all pertinent informationmore on that later too...oh and don't forget the partridge in a pear tree and the kitchen sink, thown in just for giggles!
We got this security thing down pat-went straight thru with every person from TSA commenting on how well behaved they were for just finding out about going to Disney an hour before. We ate at Subway
4---6 inch subs, chips and sodas for us all
.$33.90---close enough to Budget (I figured $30).
The kids were incredible in the airport
perfect behavior! Made a restroom, stop, then it was an hour wait before the plane. We gave them their next surprise, New DVDs---amongst the new DVDs. Miley and OIiss Christmas (a doggie movie), Jeff Dunham, Thumbelina and Ghostbusters 1 &2. Glenn mixed them up too
Erika thought she was going to be watching Thumbelina..she turned on the DVD player and Jeff Dunham started. Austin thought he was going to be watching Ghostbusters
nope Miley and Otis was playing
they were just like Christmas morning---all smiles, everything was good.
We boarded and never looked backmade the turn onto the runway and were up, likiy-split. I love flying out of small airports! No long waits here!
The plane ride-on Allegiant Air was smooth. About an hour into flight, Erika fell asleep and Austin just kept watching his new watch he got at Santas workshop today at school-keeping track of time and where we were at and watching the DVD. Normally it is reversedErika can usually stay awake and Austin is out of it! But not this time. He was going to Disney and wanted to see the lights of Orlando when we landed! And for me, I finally got a chance this trip report kicked off!
Glenn and I were amazed how smooth this trip has gotten off. I realized I only forget one thing---the sugar free flavor pouchesno biggie, well pick them up at a store down there.
Sooooo for this trip report, I have decided to do a report card of sort and pictures, since that always seemed to be what helped me the most on other peoples
.pictures seemingly tell exactly what is going on
Ill post a lot more pics later on!
So, the ride to the airport in Mimi & Pappys Cash Cab aka their mini van, complete with Red Light Challenge---and I dont mean stepping on it Pappy to get thru the red light---
was an A++. When we did get to the airport, I said everyone who wants to go to Disney bail out
and of course who bails out of the mini-van first
Mimi and Pappy of course!!!
As for Thrifty Rental Car, we reserved a Wild car meaning we could end up with any type of car, larger than an intermediate
The woman at the counter said we got a PT Cruiser in B23-okay. When we got to B23-we found out it was a Jeep with an identity crisis
I think this thing is a Jeep Crossover. We looked at it thought, how in the world are we going to fit everything in. Now Id like to say thanks to my Dad for being a truck drivers daughter (see Dad has drove truck for over 50+ years in the moving line industry) but in this case it was just good old fashioned push this in/pull that it in/kid move over there, no over there, sorry you cant feel your toes
itll be a short ride!!! Yes, it all fit
with not an inch to spare! So for the rental car: the service at the counter-signage was a bit confusing and both Glenn ad I thought she was a bit snippy (seriously dont try to upsell me at 11PM---B, the rental car---C (it has manual everything
and I mean everything!) and value---B for ten days the total with a full tank of gas $309---we budgeted $400 initially.
By the time we hit I-4literally seconds out of the airport, both kids were sound asleep. And since our last quickie trip in April of this year, we bought Sunpass. It worked like a charm and scared Glenn when we went thru and it beeped---well, at least we know its working the way its supposed to.
We arrive at 11:40 and checked into Holiday Inn Express at Universal Studios Entrance. We got 2 rooms-adjoining. The total with tax came up to $32 per room. Awesome dealthanks to my boss Greg! The kids went right up to the room and were out again in secondsno arguing on this trip! Meanwhile, I realized I had packed my cosmetic case in a piece of checked baggage, thanks to TSA regulations
so back down I went. Unloaded the car to find it, reloaded the car and got the kids their next surprise for morning
new personalized fanny packs! Walking back to the front door of the hotel, I got robbed!!!!
Some dumb_ _ _ hits me up for a few bucks so he can go to the bar
are you kidding me, my native American came out and I went on the warpath
Tiger Woods Wife, Elin has nothing on me!!!!
Now I didnt kill the guy or even leave battle wounds
but I did my best psycho impression..and he left running down the street!!!
He, he, he!!! Dumb _ _ _!
So the hotel
its a relaunched Holiday Inn Express
cleanliness
B, Front Desk Customer Service
a D-
Yes folks, Glenn had to calm me down on this one
Im not sure if this was a bad policy, a poorly trained front desk agent or if it was just it was almost midnight and he didnt care but no doubt a solid D-
and as for value, A+
really how can you complain at a $29 rate per room!
So overall for the day of the surprise
an A-
a few minor hiccups
but certainly off to one of best starts!
Next up, Saturday December 12th and time for serious coasters, the Macy's Thanksgiving parade (I have always wanted to see), a Christmas concert and oh yeah, coasters! It should be great now that Austin is tall enough to ride the big boy coasters!
Huh
I wonder if hell ask the question Erika did
Dad, I wanna get offGlenns reply
I dont think you can do that right now!
and enjoy the ride. We are LIVE from Disney!!!! 
14 days
