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<font color=blue>Miracles are amazing!<br><font co
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2000
- Messages
- 3,191
Cast: Me, Kelli, just turned 40, Disney nut and major planner.
DH, Stephen, also 40, puts up with my Disney obsession, loves it almost as much (just wont admit it.)
September 28 Day 15 and final day.
It was so hard to leave the hotel today, knowing that we had a two day drive home. So far away from WDW, and who knows when we'd be back.
However, before we were to hit the road, we had an important mission. ONE MORE RNR RIDE!!!
We packed the car thoroughly. Making sure our little carry on suitcase had all the essentials for the trip home, and then went to breakfast. We breakfasted at Olivia's. It was nice, and quick too. Then we headed to MGM. We made it before the rope drop, and made a beeline for RnR. We rode it three times in a row. This was the first day they had the fast pass machines on, so we got one for RNR, and one for TOT for a souvenir. We talked to a boy in the RnR line who just arrived. He was excited and scared about this ride, and wanted us to assure him he would be fine. It was fun to see the excitement on his face, and sad because we were leaving.
Well, we left exhilarated, and decided that is the best way the leave. Three great times on our favorite ride.
Now, reality hits. The looooooooong drive home. We lunched and gasses in Gainesville, and then hit a few HD dealers. I don't remember where, but I know we did. We drove and drove and drove. Again, we had no ressies because we were unsure as to how far we would make it, and what time we would leave. We ate at a Cracker Barrel somewhere on the rode. This was actually the third Cracker Barrel we stopped at, all the rest had at least an hour wait, and didn't want to wait. But I wanted Grilled Chicken Tenderloin, so we perservered. We finally stopped at a Days Inn in Eddyville, KY at 11:00 p.m. We were only a few miles from where my sister lives in Benton, but they weren't answering their phone. Either at a football game (my brother-in-law is a referree for high school), or they don't answer the phone so late at night. We weren't planning on staying with them, but thought breakfast would be fun. We tried them again in the morning, but to no avail.
We wanted to make St. Louis by lunchtime so we could see my other sister. This meeting was planned all along. The last time I saw here was in April when her three day old baby, Adam, was having serious open heart surgery. I was very excited to see Adam out of the PICU, and looking so healthy. We met them at an Applebee's, and got to hold Adam all the way through the meal. It was very nice.
From there we headed to Manhattan, KS to stay with my daughter again. She was excited to see us. It's unusuall we get to see her so often. We gleefully handed out gifts to her and her boyfriend, and talked and talked about our trip. I thought she's have a hard time listening because of jealousy, but she was genuinely happy that we had such a great time.
We left Manhattan at about 8:00 the next morning and flew home. It usually takes me 8 hours to drive this stretch, having visited Sarah a few times alone, but DH made it in less than 7. He was anxious to get home.
Kimmi, our 18 year old (soon to be 19), was waiting for us when we got home. She really missed us. We talked on the phone everyday, but she is not used to being away from us. She absolutely loved her Canadad fleece hoodie. It has become her favorite.
FINAL COMMENTS:
We stayed at all the DVC resorts to see which one we like the best, and we both agree it's the Boardwalk. We like the convenience, the rooms, and the theming.
The Wilderness Lodge is nice if you want to "get away" from it all. It was very secluded and quiet. OKW is the same. We much prefer being in the middle of the action.
I wish I had taken more pictures the second week. We just got tired of packing our huge 35MM with us everywhere. I wanted to buy a small camera (a Canon Elph, so be exact) before we left because I thought this might happen, but Stephen said it was a waste of money. Guess what I got for Christmas? A new Elph. He didn't like not having pictures the second week either. Now, I will always have my camera with me.
The new parades are great. We didn't see the Animal Kingdom one, but the MGM and MK ones were magical.
Two weeks was glorious. We were relaxed, and had a great time. We did everything we wanted (expept swim), and are looking forward to our next extended vacation.
It would have been more fun if we'd have stayed at the Boardwalk the entire time. We are in the process of finding a Boardwalk DVC for resale, and will be staying there next time.
As much as I love my girls, I had a blast without them. There was no stress, no arguments, and no crushed expectations. We just did what we wanted, when we wanted. We do plan on taking them then Christmas or Spring 2003, but not without going alone in August.
Despite the tragedy, and the slightly depressed mood, we had a great time. I am sure we will never see it that empty again, and that's good and bad. Good, because it would take another horrible tragedy to make it that empty, and bad, because it was so nice to have no lines anywhere.
I hope you enjoyed by reports.
DH, Stephen, also 40, puts up with my Disney obsession, loves it almost as much (just wont admit it.)
September 28 Day 15 and final day.
It was so hard to leave the hotel today, knowing that we had a two day drive home. So far away from WDW, and who knows when we'd be back.
However, before we were to hit the road, we had an important mission. ONE MORE RNR RIDE!!!
We packed the car thoroughly. Making sure our little carry on suitcase had all the essentials for the trip home, and then went to breakfast. We breakfasted at Olivia's. It was nice, and quick too. Then we headed to MGM. We made it before the rope drop, and made a beeline for RnR. We rode it three times in a row. This was the first day they had the fast pass machines on, so we got one for RNR, and one for TOT for a souvenir. We talked to a boy in the RnR line who just arrived. He was excited and scared about this ride, and wanted us to assure him he would be fine. It was fun to see the excitement on his face, and sad because we were leaving.
Well, we left exhilarated, and decided that is the best way the leave. Three great times on our favorite ride.
Now, reality hits. The looooooooong drive home. We lunched and gasses in Gainesville, and then hit a few HD dealers. I don't remember where, but I know we did. We drove and drove and drove. Again, we had no ressies because we were unsure as to how far we would make it, and what time we would leave. We ate at a Cracker Barrel somewhere on the rode. This was actually the third Cracker Barrel we stopped at, all the rest had at least an hour wait, and didn't want to wait. But I wanted Grilled Chicken Tenderloin, so we perservered. We finally stopped at a Days Inn in Eddyville, KY at 11:00 p.m. We were only a few miles from where my sister lives in Benton, but they weren't answering their phone. Either at a football game (my brother-in-law is a referree for high school), or they don't answer the phone so late at night. We weren't planning on staying with them, but thought breakfast would be fun. We tried them again in the morning, but to no avail.
We wanted to make St. Louis by lunchtime so we could see my other sister. This meeting was planned all along. The last time I saw here was in April when her three day old baby, Adam, was having serious open heart surgery. I was very excited to see Adam out of the PICU, and looking so healthy. We met them at an Applebee's, and got to hold Adam all the way through the meal. It was very nice.
From there we headed to Manhattan, KS to stay with my daughter again. She was excited to see us. It's unusuall we get to see her so often. We gleefully handed out gifts to her and her boyfriend, and talked and talked about our trip. I thought she's have a hard time listening because of jealousy, but she was genuinely happy that we had such a great time.
We left Manhattan at about 8:00 the next morning and flew home. It usually takes me 8 hours to drive this stretch, having visited Sarah a few times alone, but DH made it in less than 7. He was anxious to get home.
Kimmi, our 18 year old (soon to be 19), was waiting for us when we got home. She really missed us. We talked on the phone everyday, but she is not used to being away from us. She absolutely loved her Canadad fleece hoodie. It has become her favorite.
FINAL COMMENTS:
We stayed at all the DVC resorts to see which one we like the best, and we both agree it's the Boardwalk. We like the convenience, the rooms, and the theming.
The Wilderness Lodge is nice if you want to "get away" from it all. It was very secluded and quiet. OKW is the same. We much prefer being in the middle of the action.
I wish I had taken more pictures the second week. We just got tired of packing our huge 35MM with us everywhere. I wanted to buy a small camera (a Canon Elph, so be exact) before we left because I thought this might happen, but Stephen said it was a waste of money. Guess what I got for Christmas? A new Elph. He didn't like not having pictures the second week either. Now, I will always have my camera with me.
The new parades are great. We didn't see the Animal Kingdom one, but the MGM and MK ones were magical.
Two weeks was glorious. We were relaxed, and had a great time. We did everything we wanted (expept swim), and are looking forward to our next extended vacation.
It would have been more fun if we'd have stayed at the Boardwalk the entire time. We are in the process of finding a Boardwalk DVC for resale, and will be staying there next time.
As much as I love my girls, I had a blast without them. There was no stress, no arguments, and no crushed expectations. We just did what we wanted, when we wanted. We do plan on taking them then Christmas or Spring 2003, but not without going alone in August.
Despite the tragedy, and the slightly depressed mood, we had a great time. I am sure we will never see it that empty again, and that's good and bad. Good, because it would take another horrible tragedy to make it that empty, and bad, because it was so nice to have no lines anywhere.
I hope you enjoyed by reports.
