The "This is the BEST VACTION EVER!" Trip Report

[JoshDek]

Hello Heather, I'm joining in fun. Cant wait to see how the suprise goes. Unfortinate about the ticket, my last road trip to Disneyland I got two. One on the way and one on the way back.

Josh

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Good morning Heather. Hope things are well with you. Have a great day.

Ginny

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hi Heather! I'm here and all caught up! I can't believe the boys still don't know where you are going. You guys are GOOD!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Morning Heather,

Hope your day is going well. 90% chance of rain here AGAIN! Hasn't stopped raining for a solid week now.

Have a good one,

Lisa

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I love the way you described the boys...you really gave a great picture of their personalities...so cute...

I love that Will want his 1/2 after his age...David was all about that and then his 3/4 until he hit 7...(I guess that's a big deal when you're still a little guy...)

That little rest step looks like it belongs at the Wilderness Lodge...

So sorry about the $221 ticket...eek...

David has also picked up the word "Sweet"...I have no idea where from because his Dad and I aren't using it...hmmm...maybe Emily...no I actually think from tv...


Alright...settled in and waiting for more...

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Good afternoon Heather. Hope you have a great afternoon. Give out those High 5's to the boys.

Ginny

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I'm here! Late to the game. I think I subscribe to too many TR's as I'm having trouble catching up. Great start so far. Sorry you got a ticket. That totally stinks.

Can't wait for the surprise!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hello! Heather
so sorry to hear your baby is not well! I hope they can help her...
later

 

[goofy's_gurl]

YAY heather your starting you TR. im here just in time. you got a lovely family!!

 

[mousescrapper]

I'm here!

Scrappie J~

 

[hhockman]

How cute. Boys still surprised despite mom trying to mess it up. I can hear your thoughts now. And Matt telling a lie? I am shocked. I think a lie that doesn't hurt anyone or cause bad repercussion must not count. You were doing it for a good reason after all.

Those boys are so cute. Good luck at practice.

Yep. It was a good reason. If it worked.

Ooooooohh! to leave us hanging like that
what a start...about like Danny forgetting his wallet at least you were less than a minute from home not an hour and a half!!

Yeah, if we'd have been an hour and a half away, I would have done without. Can't do without you wallet though.

Oh what a cliffhanger! I would love to actually be only an 8 hour drive from Disney. We have to get on a plane which adds an extra grand to each trip or drive for 14 hours. Still haven't been brave enough to try the 14 hour drive, though I'm planning on it in June.
Don't keep us hanging too long

We would have loved to fly. But we definitely can't afford it. Anything longer than 8 hours would probably make me crazy. Good luck with that!

Yikes! A $200 + ticket! But, you are soooo right, I would have traded a traffic ticket for what we experienced on our drive to Disney.

I'm going to go out on a limb and bet that you were able to pull off the secret! I sure hope I am right!

don't know. It worked up until about an hour out.

Good morning Heather. Hope things are well with you today. Have a good one. Awaiting more.

Ginny

Thanks Ginny!

Hi Heather! Joining in on the fun!! Sounds great so far! Can't wait to read more!!!

Danielle

Danielle! Great to see you!

Hey Heather,

I'm here...going back to read what you've posted...

OK.

A surprise trip!! How exciting! Can't wait to read about when they find out.

They will find out in my next installment. If I ever get it up.

Hello Heather, I'm joining in fun. Cant wait to see how the suprise goes. Unfortinate about the ticket, my last road trip to Disneyland I got two. One on the way and one on the way back.

Josh

Josh! Great to have you! Sorry it's taking so long between posts. I'm working on it.

Good morning Heather. Hope things are well with you. Have a great day.

Ginny

Thanks Ginny.

Hi Heather! I'm here and all caught up! I can't believe the boys still don't know where you are going. You guys are GOOD!

Well, so far we are good. You'll see what happens in my next installment. I'm not sure how we managed to not say anything before we left, but somehow we managed.

Morning Heather,

Hope your day is going well. 90% chance of rain here AGAIN! Hasn't stopped raining for a solid week now.

Have a good one,

Lisa

UGGG Rain. I have had enough. I think everyone has. We're going to get flooded again if it doesn't stop. One of these days I will show you all the pictures of Will's baseball park the day it flooded while we were gone.

I love the way you described the boys...you really gave a great picture of their personalities...so cute...

I love that Will want his 1/2 after his age...David was all about that and then his 3/4 until he hit 7...(I guess that's a big deal when you're still a little guy...)

That little rest step looks like it belongs at the Wilderness Lodge...

So sorry about the $221 ticket...eek...

David has also picked up the word "Sweet"...I have no idea where from because his Dad and I aren't using it...hmmm...maybe Emily...no I actually think from tv...


Alright...settled in and waiting for more...

Glad you got all caught up Patricia. I tend to get into my writing...just like you. Which is why it's so hard for me to post an installment. I know it's going to take a while so I never start. I'm REALLY REALLY hoping to get at least a quick installment up tomorrow. I'd do it tonight if I didn't need my boys to GO TO SLEEP!

Will is all about that 1/2. I think it's because he has a March birthday and most of his friends turn 8 way before him (like in the next couple of weeks). I'm not ready for him to be 8, so I'm glad he's only 7 1/2.

You know what? I think David and Will would be really good friends. It's too bad you live so far away.

Good afternoon Heather. Hope you have a great afternoon. Give out those High 5's to the boys.

Ginny

High 5's given. Thanks!

I'm here! Late to the game. I think I subscribe to too many TR's as I'm having trouble catching up. Great start so far. Sorry you got a ticket. That totally stinks.

Can't wait for the surprise!

Yeah, I'm still not happy about that ticket. I've told Matt that's his Christmas present. I just hope his mom comes through on paying for half of it.

Glad to have you! I REALLY need to get back to your TR.

Hello! Heather
so sorry to hear your baby is not well! I hope they can help her...
later

Thanks Connie. I hope so too. A little more about her in a bit.

YAY heather your starting you TR. im here just in time. you got a lovely family!!

Thanks Amanda. Glad to have you!

I'm here!

Scrappie J~

Hey Scrappie! Just read your latest blog entry. I wanted to take the boys to Toy Story 1/2 , but I don't know if we're going to get there before it ends.

I got both of your emails too. I do want to respond. UGGG. Not enough time in the day. But I will get back to you and I appreciate you keeping me updated.

 

[hhockman]

I am SO sorry I haven't posted my next installment guys.

As some of you know, it's just been crazy here. I worked four days last week and three days the week before. That's good, but it doesn't give me a lot of DIS time. I've been going to bed about the same time as the kids every night, which also cuts into my DIS time...speaking of which, I'm probably going to have to go lay down with Christian in a minute. If he's not asleep when I get in there, there's a good chance I'll fall asleep. Which means you will have to wait until tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow I really will get an update up.

I think I've talked about my dog, Jordan, on my PTR a little. She is 11 1/2 and she is a black lab/chow. She's my baby. Matt got her for me before we even got married. She hasn't been eating right since before we got back. We've been to two different vets a total of three times. The last time they found something in her GI Tract (colon or small intestine probably) on x-ray, but she said it could be a foreign body, and obstruction, or a tumor. As far as we know it was not there when all the "not eating" started, but in any case we've decided to go to a specialist to see if we can get some more answers and decide what to do from there. There's a good chance surgery will be in the mix. Especially if it's NOT cancer. If it is, we will probably have to put her to sleep at some point, but other than the fact that she is being VERY picky about eating (won't eat dog food or treats at all, will only eat some "people" food), she is otherwise acting normal and happy. So I refuse to do it right now when she is not suffering (although she has lost a lot of weight). So there's been a lot of stress with that.

In addition to all that (and somewhat because of it), I am seriously thinking we will not be going back to Disney in June. We owe my parents about $1000 right now because of vet bills and we are not done. My mom made the comment tonight that all of our income tax from this year should have gone to them. Usually my dad is the one that talks about money, and my mom has never said we should have given it all to them. I don't think she really meant it because she wanted (and enjoyed) our trip as much as anyone, but I don't think spending more money on a trip next year is going to go down to well. Even though they know we are (were) planning it. Plus we're going to have to save some money to go to Mississippi for Will's All Stars in July. It's really upsetting me to be thinking it...2011 is so far away...but I just don't think we're going to be able to manage it unless something major (like me getting a full time job) happens.

So, I know these are basically excuses, but that's some of where my time has been spent the last few days. The boys are both still awake and it is 10:15pm my time, so I've got to go try to get them to go to sleep. I will really try to get the next bit up soon.

Thanks for hangin' in there with me everyone. I really appreciate it.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Glad to hear Jordan is acting happy and well!

2011 would not be all that bad (I know it would not be next year but, you would still be going back!) we have had to push back Disney if you recall from my PTR/TR from May...I know better than anyone the disappointment...poor Dayne did not get excited until we left in May BUT, AT LEAST YOU CAN PLAN AND KNOW YOU ARE GOING BACK!!

the reason we are returning Nov 2010 and not Feb or is bills they come first!! So, I know exactly where you & Matt are at the moment!!

Happy planning!!! and can't wait for your next installment!!!
Have a great night!

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Heather, I think that everyone of us on the board know what it's like to not get to do what you want. Disney will still be when you can go again. I't not going anywhere. I hope you get Jordan well.

Ginny

 

[praisehisname]

I'm here; great start so far!

Denise

 

[Zookeeperof4]

Dont you just love when grandma blows up your spot? Thats something my mom would have done....

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Hey, Heather. Sorry for your puppy troubles. I know that can be hard when you've had one for so long and loved it for so long. I am sorry to hear that June may not be in the works. That is such a disappointment, I know, especially when you've been excited about it for so many months now. It'll work out however HE sees fit. Hang in there!

And don't worry about my TR - I finished up Pigeon Forge, but after that, it's just talk. And after the comment on Lisa's thread from the mod. I may get shut down anyways.

 

[hhockman]

Glad to hear Jordan is acting happy and well!

2011 would not be all that bad (I know it would not be next year but, you would still be going back!) we have had to push back Disney if you recall from my PTR/TR from May...I know better than anyone the disappointment...poor Dayne did not get excited until we left in May BUT, AT LEAST YOU CAN PLAN AND KNOW YOU ARE GOING BACK!!

the reason we are returning Nov 2010 and not Feb or is bills they come first!! So, I know exactly where you & Matt are at the moment!!

Happy planning!!! and can't wait for your next installment!!!
Have a great night!

I am definitely going for the weekend in January 2011. I am determined to do that half marathon, even if I haven't been exercising like I should lately.

If we don't get to go next year, we will go in 2011 at some point. I'm just disappointed because the kids grow so fast. There's a big difference between 8 and 9 and between 5 and 6. So it won't be the same trip in 2011 that it would be next year. BUT, I am very thankful that we get to go at all. Some people only go once in their lives. Some people never go. So I will happily plan for 2011 and see what happens.

Heather, I think that everyone of us on the board know what it's like to not get to do what you want. Disney will still be when you can go again. I't not going anywhere. I hope you get Jordan well.

Ginny

Thanks Ginny. I hope we do too. It's so frustrating not knowing what's wrong!

I'm here; great start so far!


Denise

and thank you! I hope to get a short installment up today. Depending on when I get back from helping with the PTA Fall Festival. Which is where I am headed now.

Dont you just love when grandma blows up your spot? Thats something my mom would have done....

Yeah. That was . Luckily I was able to kind of blow it off.

Hey, Heather. Sorry for your puppy troubles. I know that can be hard when you've had one for so long and loved it for so long. I am sorry to hear that June may not be in the works. That is such a disappointment, I know, especially when you've been excited about it for so many months now. It'll work out however HE sees fit. Hang in there!

And don't worry about my TR - I finished up Pigeon Forge, but after that, it's just talk. And after the comment on Lisa's thread from the mod. I may get shut down anyways.

WHAT comment on Lisa's thread? What did I miss? There is a board for chatting here on the DIS. I guess we could start a thread over there. But it wouldn't be the same....



Okay, I'm headed back to Will's school to help with the Fall Festival. I'm hoping to get home in time to get a real installment up before school gets out.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Heather, did you find those pix I told you about. I put more on my thread just now

 

[hhockman]

I know you all have been waiting patiently, so I’m going to get at least a mini installment in.

I believe when we left off we were somewhere near Wildwood, where you get onto the Florida Turnpike (or don’t, if you choose to head toward Tampa). The kids were getting antsy and tired of riding and I was getting worried they were going to start noticing the ever increasing “Disney World (insert number here) miles” signs.

So I did what any good mom would do and gave them a movie to distract them. As those of you that read my PTR know, they’d already received two new Nintendo DS games each. Will got Transformers and Lego Star Wars, Christian got Diego and Lego Star Wars. Both played Lego Star Wars a lot and the other game they got, not so much. By this point they were pretty done with the DS’s though. Even with the Pokemon games that they normally love to play.

So I handed them a set of DVDs that has Pokemon Diamond version episodes 1-17. Yes, there were 17 episodes, each 20-30 minutes long. Will was so excited he hit his head of the back of the seat-hard. I could tell from the tears in his eyes that it HURT. But, they put the movie in, put their headphones on and….silence. They were totally engrossed. We passed the first “Disney World” sign on the turnpike. The closer we got, the more nervous I got…and then we were passed.

The next was just as we were getting off the Turnpike. Matt tried to stop and pay the toll where they couldn’t see the sign, but then he wasn’t close enough to actually give the money to the person. So he got out of the car. And she dropped it. So he has to go back and get it. Meanwhile I’m sitting there thinking “please don’t look up, please don’t look up”. They never looked up.

We got Clermont. And through Clermont. And then the signs really started. Christian said something to me about some Pokemon in the movie. I turned around to look at him, but he’d been talking the whole time without taking his eyes from the screen.

At around 2:15 I’m getting sick to my stomach with anticipation. We’re SO close. They are still watching Pokemon. “Bless that Pokemon!” I think to myself (and I know I thought it because those exact words are in my notes). This isn’t a normal thought for me, but I am very thankful for Pokemon right this second. Just a few more mintues…Please don’t let them look up!

Sign after sign after sign. Even with the stopping and starting from the lights, they never looked up.

It started to sprinkle. And then the last test. The curving exit where I was SURE Will would look up, recognize where we were, see the signs overhead and it would all be over.

Nope.

Never looked up.

Finally, we saw this:

“Boys, look!”

No response. They couldn’t hear us with the headphones on and were too engrossed in the movie.

“Boys. Boys! LOOK!”

I was starting to get afraid we’d pass the sign before they looked up. Matt was taking pictures of the sign and I had the camcorder on.

“Guys. Take off your headphones. Look!”

Finally Will says, “Disney World? We’re at Disney World?” in a very soft voice.

Christian repeats, “Disney World!?”

Matt and I both start talking at once, “Yep! We’re at Disney World. How about that?”

Will says, “Does that mean we’re not going to Granny and Papa’s?” in this really sad voice.

Uh, no buddy, we’re at DISNEY WORLD. I wasn’t about to tell him that Granny and Pa would be there with him the next day.

It took a little while for it to sink in, I guess.

Will look, a Disney bus!

Will absolutely, positively, unreservedly LOVES Disney buses. Loves them. But he loves the old ones. The new ones, not so much. I think we got to ride an "old" Disney bus one time the whole trip. He enjoyed the new ones, but just doesn't like them as much for some reason.

Now we’re getting a little bit of a response. The start to point at things out of the window…in between returning to the movie.

We finally pull into our “home” for the week. Port Orleans Riverside.

We stop at the gate. They ask for our name. Matt shows them his license. We drive through and into the parking lot. Get out of the car. Go into the lobby.

Ahhhhhh.

We’re here. We’re FINALLY here!

I walk straight over to the Online Checkin counter and am waiting behind one person. I look over at the regular line…there’s no one there. I guess it might have been quicker not to check in early. Doesn’t really matter though, the person in front of me finishes up and it’s my turn.

Matt goes over to where they are showing movies to take pictures of the boys.

The CM asks my name and goes to find my paperwork. While he’s working I ask if the rest of our family will be near us. He said he didn’t know because they hadn’t checked in yet. We’re in room 8009. I remember reading that the first number in a room number at POR has to do with the building number and the second number tells you the floor. The last two are the room number. Sweet! We’re on the first floor.

We had a great room for not having paid for a water view room. We were on the first floor and overlooked a courtyard with a water fountain (which I think is technically a “water view”). It wasn’t far from the parking lot, but you couldn’t see the parking lot.

We collected the boys and walked out of the lobby towards our car. Will hugs me and says, “I love this vacation! It’s so magical!”

Finally.

My thoughts exactly, buddy.

We walk a few more steps and he says, “This is the BEST vacation EVER!”

That would become he refrain throughout the week.

Okay, I know that was short, but I got you through the surprise. Except for Will’s initial disappointment at not being at my grandparents’ it was as amazing as I thought it would be. Definitely worth the wait.