The financially irresponsible WDW trip! [June 25th: p.45, posts 668 & 669]

[DebIreland]

Not a new chapter, just a recap!

It’s been six months this week since I started my Trip Report. but also - I mean, in the name of all that's holy, why is it taking me so long to get this out there?! I guess I never anticipated when I started this that:
a) it would be so incredibly time-consuming to write (although it’s also a lot of fun!!), and
b) anyone would have the slightest interest in hearing what I have to say....

So here I am, 6 months on, and only just over half way through our trip.

So I’ve decided a little recap is in order! For those who started late and skipped over the first few chapters (

) but mostly for those who’ve read the whole lot (

) and forget (cause I couldn’t possibly expect you to remember) who we are; what our motivations for this trip were; and the practical things like dates/accommodation etc. here’s my little recap......

What this trip is ....
Our second trip to WDW. Our first trip was in June 2005 - we stayed in New York for 3 nights followed by Disney World for 12 nights. It was the most luxurious holiday we’d ever taken and one I’d feared would never happen because with us, money is always an issue. At the time I reckoned this would be a one-off thing. But we all fell in love with Disney World (it surpassed all our expectations and believe me, our expectations were sky high) and we simply had to get back there so we strugged and sacrified and put things on the long finger (like the fact that our crappy car was crying out to be sent to a scrap yard) and we made a second trip (the one this TR is about) a reality!!

So this second trip started 24th October 2006 and finished on 10th November 2006.

Where we stayed...
Days 1 to 5: All Star Music
Day 5: Doubletree Oceanfront Hotel, Cocoa Beach
Day 6 to 11: Boardwalk Villas
Day 11 to 13: All Star Movies
Day 13 to 17: Boardwalk Villas

Reminder of who we are...
DH, 42. His favourite character is Grumpy. He’s got a great sense of humour. I mean, honestly, that doesn’t do him justice - he’s the funniest person I’ve ever met!!! He’s also a very talented musician. He doesn’t do that for a living anymore but it'll always be his life’s passion!

There’s me, Deb, 37 (at time of trip) - huge Disney fan. I’m self-employed and I work at home as a graphic designer. Some weeks I work 10 hours and other weeks I put in 70 hours. Like most things in my life, it’s unpredictable!

Our eldest son: ‘Wayne’, 12 years old at the time of this trip. His favourite attractions in WDW are Rock ‘n Rollercoaster, Test Track, Splash Mountain, POTC, Philharmagic and also he loves World Showcase. He has a passion for music and is a great guitarist - plays electric and classical and also studies music theory. Oh and he loves his iPod!

Our youngest son: ‘Garth’, 9 years old when the trip started but turned 10 in WDW. His favourite character is Goofy but also has a soft spot for the main man, Mickey! His favourite attractions are Rock ‘n Rollercoaster, ToT, Test Track, Philharmagic, POTC and Expedition Everest. He plays piano, studies music theory, loves reading and is a great artist!

Last but not least is our little girl who I’ve been referring to as ‘Alice’ cause that’s who she dressed up as for Halloween. But her very favourite Disney characters these days are Ariel, Snow White, Buzz & Woody and Mike & Sully! Her brothers adore her and she adores them. Her latest habit is to stand in front of us, feet crossed, hands on hip and tell us what’s what!!!

What I’ve covered so far...
Day 1: Our flights and our arrival in WDW!
Day 2: Shopping, Swimming & Downtown Disney
Day 3: Animal Kingdom & Blizzard Beach
Day 4: Magic Kingdom
Day 5: Cocoa Beach
Day 6: Cocoa Beach & Kennedy Space Center
Day 7: MGM
Day 8: Magic Kingdom & MNSSHP
Day 9: Epcot

Still to come...
Day 10: Epcot (Alice finally meets Snow White!!) & Cirque de Soleil (Wow! But also, who invited Demon Spawn Woman’s twin brother?)

Day 11: Cape May (where Alice decides to play hard to get with Chip), Animal Kingdom (“oh no, where’s Alice’s ‘Lion’?) & All Star Movies (checking in with a very wet backside!)

Day 12: Shopping and do we or don’t we go to Universal?

Day 13: Garth’s 10th Birthday!!! MGM, Planet Hollywood (ugh!), Boardwalk (mmmm) & Chef Mickeys (Wow! A Birthday to remember!)

Day 14: Typhoon Lagoon (woohoo!! Who knew you could have fun at a water park??!!); Alice and I hang out at The Boardwalk (where Alice is crowned Seashore Sweets Princess of the Day whilst at the same time committing petty theft ); and the men folk check out DisneyQuest.

Day 15: Magic Kingdom (where Garth gets a wonderful surprise!)

Day 16: MGM & Epcot (where Deb sheds lots of tears! )

Day 17: Our last day A final look at Downtown Disney followed by lots of tears and not just “going home” tears either - more like: “OMG, I can't believe we lost them, how could we have lost *them*, how are we gonna get home now??” [Don’t worry, we didn’t lose one of our kids but what we did lose was extremely important].

So that’s my little (or, er, as always not so little) recap to help those who’ve understandably forgotten some details and to mark the 6 month point in this TR.

Thanks again for reading folks!!! I really appreciate all the feedback.

New chapter soon!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Deb thanks so much for the recap/teaser..........I'm on to you girl....keeping us guessing.

I am leaving for the beach Friday for a week......I'll catch up on your adventures (give me something to look forward to when I come back with the oh no I had to leave the blues) when I return.

Rock on..........

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

That recap, was just plain old mean, Deb!

Sounds like some good stuff's a comin', fo sho! (That's just for you! ) Looks like I'll be sticking around for awhile!!

C'mon girl, get on with it!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Deb, you are such a tease!!! I like it!

 

[DisneyJo]

OMG Deb you're such a tease hope we're not going to have to wait another 6 months

 

[DebIreland]

Honestly I didn't mean to be a tease!! I read other trip reports lately and I was getting mixed up with who was who and what was what cause the reports are going on a while and it made me realise that people have probably totally lost track of my report too. No more teasing I promise!

 

[Glendamax]

I must say . . . the recap WAS a great idea. Now I feel caught up all over again! By the way, I know what you mean about trip reports being hard work!

I'll keep checking back for the rest!

 

[Twingle]

OMG, love the recap! But, I've dying to know what you lost! I'm afraid it was your passports! Did you lose your passports, and are really working in Disney while your children play in the parks?

Can't wait for more! (golly, I really liked doing this !!! during this post!!!! sorry about that!!!)

 

[KathyRN137]

.... I read other trip reports lately and I was getting mixed up with who was who and what was what cause the reports are going on a while and it made me realise that people have probably totally lost track of my report too.

And I thought that only happened to me!!

Kathy

 

[jns]

Ok I have just over 5 months untill our next trip
please please please try to finish before then...................................

 

[duncanssweetie]

Deb, I'm all caught up and ready to read some more !!!

Your TR is so worth the wait. I hadnt even realized it had been six months. Or that you were only half way through. When I read the title change and saw recap, I got a little teary eyed thinking it was over. ( I have been away from the boards for a bit ). I honestly feel as though you are a part of our family and now my family does, too. They have been reading along with me and look forward to your installments as much as I do.

Thanks for the recap, and the "tease". At least it wasn't a "spoiler". I think it was a clever idea to add it..... it has hooked us even more.

And as a few others have said..... get with it , and write some more, we're totally needing a "fix"

 

[nts4wdw]

All caught up again! Thanks for the recap! You sure you can't make a quick trip over between June 7- June 19? You know we'd have fun!!

 

[DebIreland]

I must say . . . the recap WAS a great idea. Now I feel caught up all over again!

See everyone? I just knew it was a FANTASTIC idea!

Thanks Gmax!!!!

OMG, love the recap! But, I've dying to know what you lost! I'm afraid it was your passports! Did you lose your passports

and are really working in Disney while your children play in the parks?

Can't wait for more! (golly, I really liked doing this !!! during this post!!!! sorry about that!!!)

Thanks Twingle and don't apologise! I way overuse the !!!!!!!! myself!

And I thought that only happened to me!!
Kathy

Not just you Kathy! I actually kinda like the reports where people put the cast of characters at the start of each chapter!

Ok I have just over 5 months untill our next trip

Now you're just showing off Jackie!!!

please please please try to finish before then...................................

Absolutely!!

Deb, I'm all caught up and ready to read some more !!!
Your TR is so worth the wait. I hadnt even realized it had been six months. Or that you were only half way through. When I read the title change and saw recap, I got a little teary eyed thinking it was over. ( I have been away from the boards for a bit ).

I missed you Brandi!! So glad you're back with us.

I honestly feel as though you are a part of our family and now my family does, too. They have been reading along with me and look forward to your installments as much as I do.

Oh wow!! I am so flattered. Thanks a million Brandi and say hi to your DH and girls from me!!

Thanks for the recap, and the "tease". At least it wasn't a "spoiler". I think it was a clever idea to add it..... it has hooked us even more.
And as a few others have said..... get with it , and write some more, we're totally needing a "fix"

No problem!! I'm on it...

All caught up again! Thanks for the recap! You sure you can't make a quick trip over between June 7- June 19? You know we'd have fun!!

Aw Lynn, thanks!! I would dearly love to go to WDW in June. And I just know we'd have a ball!!!! Don't tempt me Lynn.......

 

[Twingle]

No, no, NOT THE PASSPORTS! I really hope that's not it - I've got my fingers crossed and everything . . . but there is no smilie that does that. Hopefully whatever it is, your DH wasn't too upset. Or, in the words of my younger daughter, you might be all kinds of dead.

And,

if you are indeed working at Disney, I'm hoping it's mousekeeping, because I REALLY want to know how to make all those wicked-cool towel animals. Wouldn't they be fun to just have scattered around your house?!? Or am I just nuts?

(I think I'm nuts)

 

[jonslola]

Deb, the re-cap was great! I'm glad to hear we're only about half way through the trip, more to look forward too! When I read the "teaser" about you crying, I began to tear up too! I'm such a sap. That just shows how emotionally wrapped up I am in your TR! Oh, and I can't wait to hear about demon spawn woman's twin, demon spawn man, dont'cha just love people like that? I think I will bring some "pixie dust" on my trip in the fall so that if I encounter any demon spawn, I can throw it on them.

Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[WDW Fan]

Love the recap Deb! Your TR has been sooo entertaining. Looking forward to the next half of the trip!

 

[tigger536]

And just for you......

That picture is making me sooo hungry right now!

Thanks for the recap too! And the tease!

Can't wait to hear the rest. Sounds like its gonna be good...

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

Day 10: Epcot (Alice finally meets Snow White!!)

See ... ANOTHER coincidence! DD#1 FINALLY meeting Snow White was the big deal of our first trip back in 2002. We finally hunted her (Snow White) down ... on the last day ... with just minutes to spare before she ended that particular apperance and within just minutes of our leaving MK for the airport.

The whole SW thing was one of our "worst" CM experiences. That bad CM experience ultimately led DD#1 to change loyalty from Snow White to Cinderella. We knew Doodle had to meet SW before we headed for home but we'd had no luck earlier in the trip. So, on that last day & running out of time, we stopped to ask the CM posted by the info board at the end of Main St. He sent us to Toontown to where the princesses are. Only princess there was Cinderella who made over Doodle & REALLY won her over. Disappointed, we explained to CMs there what our deal was. They radio-ed around, found SN was in the town hall area but was only going to be there just scant minutes more. We tore out of Toontown, just happened to catch the train, took it to Main St., ran pushing, shoving & screaming to our destination. (No ... not really. We were polite ... just determined & fast. No shoving involved.)

WHEW! No line (no one apparently goes to look for characters there) ... SW was still there ...WOW! excellent interaction. She even picked up DD.

But, still the deal was sealed earlier when Cindy planted a big ol' kiss on DD. Soon after we got home, it was ALL about Cinderella. DD event spent some time going ONLY by DoodleCinderella. She was Cinderella THREE YEARS in a row for Halloween.

Meanwhile, Snow White DVD is gathering dust ...
Sad really ... it remains one of my favorites ... DD and I would watch part of it EVERY DAY for weeks during the whole end-of-day, make-supper time while we waited for DH to get home.

 

[DebIreland]

No, no, NOT THE PASSPORTS! I really hope that's not it - I've got my fingers crossed and everything . . . but there is no smilie that does that.

I wish you were wrong. [But I'm most definitely in Ireland right now so it all worked out in the end!]

I REALLY want to know how to make all those wicked-cool towel animals. Wouldn't they be fun to just have scattered around your house?!?

I've seen links on the DIS to towel-animal making websites. Some of them are really cool. This is one we got on our first trip (mixed in with 'Alice's' other favourite toys at the time). We brought it home (much to the annoyance of some of the holier than thou DISers out there )....

When I read the "teaser" about you crying, I began to tear up too! I'm such a sap. That just shows how emotionally wrapped up I am in your TR!

Aw thanks jonslola. I've cried at a lot of trip reports.

Love the recap Deb! Your TR has been sooo entertaining. Looking forward to the next half of the trip!

Thanks!

Thanks for the recap too! And the tease!
Can't wait to hear the rest. Sounds like its gonna be good...

Thanks Jacquelyn.

See ... ANOTHER coincidence! DD#1 FINALLY meeting Snow White was the big deal of our first trip back in 2002.

We finally hunted her (Snow White) down ... on the last day ... with just minutes to spare before she ended that particular apperance and within just minutes of our leaving MK for the airport.

Phew!!!

Only princess there was Cinderella who made over Doodle & REALLY won her over.

Aw, that's sweet!

SW was still there ...WOW! excellent interaction. She even picked up DD.

We had the same experience meeting her in Epcot. She was so incredibly nice!

Snow White DVD is gathering dust ...

Aw! Well at least she hasn't completely gone off the princesses but I agree, Snow White is great and I'll always have a soft spot for her!

 

[packerbeth]

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