The Vacation from H--- saved by Disney part1

[TyNicJen]

I've debated about writing about this trip because we really didn't spend to much time in Disney. But a story is a story so lets see what you think.

cast Me,DH, DS11, DS8 and DD6

We have been trying to get to Florida for 2 years now and have had to cancel due to illness in the family twice. The first time we had to tell the kids we couldn't go it broke my heart. You see my DH has family in Fla. so there are 8 cousins to see along with Disney. ( I figure if we are driving past Disney we are going to Disney!) We have made the trip 2 other times so the kids remember.

The second time we cancelled was easier since I hadn't told them. It was to be a surprise.

This time it looks we will make it! So here we go!!

It's Friday, June 24th and it's the kids last day of school. We are going to surprise them tonight and tell them of our 2 week trip to Disney, The Nick Hotel and Nanas house where they will see all their cousins and family. we can't wait to tell them! Here it goes.......

Well we sit them down and tell them, video camera and all and my older son and daughter are thrilled...... My younger son looks excited and slowly I see the look on his face fade to tears. I'm watching and excited for the other two and wondering whats wrong with my DS8. When we ask what is wrong he says he does't want to go!!!!!!
WHY????
He gets car sick and knows we will be driving.

The last ime we went I guess I was afraid to over dose and didn't give him enough. He said he remembers feeling sick. So we had to have a long talk and tell him we will make sure he doesn't feel sick. He cheers up and is ready to go.

Oh by the way, we are leaving tonight @ about 3:00 am to start driving. Talk about waiting till the last minute!!

(Believe me it was hard to pack without them noticing!!!!!!) So we put the kids to bed.....HA HA they finally go..........

Now I can't sleep of course.... so I'm watching T.V..... (NOT Laughing)
The weather has not been good and they keep saying rain... Little did I know how much rain as a fell fast asleep.

I wake up (at 3:00 a.ma.) and what a nightmare......RAINNNNNNNN>..Up and down the eastern seaboard... and it is stalled there for 2-3 days.... No option to leave a day later. Now this is not a lttle rain It's RAIN,Thunder etc. (Here you must know that on our last trip down we were in a rainstorm from H---.... We were rearended in a storm.
(Luckily no real damage and everyone was okay)

Dh and I are trying to figure out what to do. It's pouring out!!!
Finally we say let's go at 5:30. The sun is coming up Well it stopped raining and we can see better. So off we go............

 

[CrazedDisFan]

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[TyNicJen]

We all wake up and grab the few last things, our pillows, sheets and Please don't forget Ki-KI(a stuffed cat my daughter just loves!!)
I give my son a dose of Dramamine and off we go.
It was okay for the first 2 hours then it hit. Down pours ...... thunder .......and lightning. I'm scared to death -the kids have fallen asleep(wish I was) This went on and off for most of the trip that day.
Finally some clearing as we get to Virgina area. (we left from NY. so it took a while.) My husband and I finally feel good that we made the decision to go. Now we will travel to Ga. probably. This way we get up and only have a few hours till Disney. Then we get a whole day to explore!
While getting off 95 for a bathroom break -BANG!!!
Thats a bad sound ! We know what it is, as it happened 3 years ago too. The Transmission!!!!! We managed to go foward enough to 4-wheel over the grass and into a parking spot at a hotel!!!
Now if something like this is going to happen ,as we look back now, at least we aren't stuck on 95 with three kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I'm mad first. Most people are upset but I bought this van 3 years ago, Just before we went to Fla. then. No we didn't have the tranny go on our trip then but it went 2 weeks after we got back. Mind you this van is only a 2000 with 56,000 mi now!!!! The first tranny went at only 33,000 mi.(Then it was uder a warranty, along with about 4 other Major things that went wrong within that 3 year period.)
Now we have no warrany nothing! What do we do?
Oh and for those who are wondering it a FORD WINDSTAR! NEVER AGAIN!!!!
Well we can stay in S.C. for a few days (I't Saturday at 5:30 pm) or move on.
We decided to move on and lucked out. We got AAMCO to get the van and a rental from Avis for Sunday. The Aamco guy will fix it and we will still go to Disney.
Everyone was great from the hotel staff which gave us a great discount, to Avis who at this one doesn't usually come get you but they did! And the Aamco guy. Who we never met by the way because everything was done on the weekend.
The kids had a great time in the hotel pool while we made calls and arranged for everything.
Sunday and we get a late start but at least we are on our way.

 

[dvcmbr94]

So sorry for your car trouble but glad you were able to continue. Can't wait to read more, soon I hope!!

 

[Convert]

Can't wait to read more.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

What is it with Ford Windstars and transmissions???

I can totally relate!! We bought a used Windstar with only 35,000 miles - I really liked the vehicle to begin - however, right after the used car warranty ran out - we discovered transmission problems - DH and I went to the movies one night, went back to the van - and found we had lost the transmission. the Funny part was waiting out front on a Friday night with all of the other teens - waiting for my DAD to pick us up! So, Cottman came - got the van - removed the old transmission - only to find out it was not the original transmission - so this van had already gone through 2!! Yikes! No more Windstars for us! I think I practically rebuilt that van - piece by piece!

I'm glad that everything worked out in your favor! I can't imagine trying to deal with all of that while out of town!

Can't wait to see how everything turns out!

 

[UtahMama]

Sheesh! First the rainstorm then the transmission.....This better not be a series of unfortunate events...

 

[mask_w03]

Looking forward to the rest of this TR.. Sorry to hear about the car issues though.

 

[DebIreland]

Enjoying your report!! Looks like you kept your head amidst the car issues and made the best of what could have been a very stressful situation! Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[spokanemom]

Oh, I hope to hear that the story gets happier. It does seem that you are rolling with the punches pretty well though. I am not sure that I would have stuck it out...

 

[mumeof3]

Now if something like this is going to happen ,as we look back now, at least we aren't stuck on 95 with three kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this happened to us 2 times,first our transmission in Maryland on the way down 5 years ago,thankgod we found a dealer right off 95,then 2 years ago in georgia we had a blowout that caused a lady behind us to swerve off 95 into a tree{she also had a blow out}mu dh had to change the tire,the lady was okay but here I was in tick infested weeds on the side of 95 with 3 kids and afraid of someone else getting a blow out and hitting us,just call us the GRISWALDS

 

[disneynewbee]

Sounds like some of our vacations as kids, they always seemed to be one disaster after another. In the end we always managed to have a good time though. I hope your guys luck changed at some point and you had a good time. Great report so far.

 

[TyNicJen]

Well here we go. They pick us up at the hotel and drive us back to Avis. Back to the hotel and unload and load from one van to the other as quick as possible. We have a late start to Disney but we can't wait to get started. We are almost there when another storm hits and its a dosey?? (Big one!)
Anyway every one is going slowly and I feel we will never get there. Finally we check in at about 8:00p.m.. No time to really check it out but we eat and get to our room. Now we are to spend 3 nights there and plan on only two days at the park and off to Nick Hotel for 2 nights.
That morning there is a 70% chance of rain. Not only Rain but RAIN.Okay I've had it by now with rain...................We make the call and go anyway.
It was wonderful. We first did MK. First to buzz light year.3 times. They all love that. When we came out there was Stitch! My kids love to see the characters and get autographs so this was a great way to start! Stitch sniffed my oldest which was so funny. It's amazing how the smallest of things at Disney can be the greatest.
We did a few more things they love. Splash Mt., haunted house , Mickey phil., etc. we got alot in in a few short hours. I think the threat of rain kept alot from coming. There were no lines for quite some time and the sun stayed in so it was really comfortable.
Now over to Epcot for the Princess lunch. First we pop in to see Minnie and Pluto at Discovercards meet n greet. We takes pis and autos and off to lunch. Now this is an expensive lunch for us and I said to my husband given all our extra expense maybe we should skip this. (The kids don't know so it won't hurt) My husband, being the smart man he is, says DO IT! This is the time and we may not get back for a long time. Boy was he right. Looking back now I would have regretted not going. My boys even liked it (more just to get autographs But they thought seeing them in person was really cool. And my daughter..............well the smile from ear to ear said it all. Right then and there my husband said "That's worth it all" Especially since we hated the food but that's just us.
Anyway It's almost time to leave and I hear it. Thunder! Well it starts to pour..... like I've never seen before..... Now mind you I've spent ALOT of time in the rain this trip!! sure now I can smile.
Well we try the wait it out theory that I hear about Fla. storms.........This it not one of those.......It let up long enough for us to get to the Epcot Ball. We have a picture to pick up there. and the sky opens up...We ride the ball since there is nowhere else to go and decide to head back to the hotel. We get off the ride and the thunder and lightening are in a race to see who will win loudest or brightest... By this time I think Disney has a new ride. Not to mention I am now under the largest conductor in history as my husband and I joked. Even one of the CMs at the gate is scared. She told us to be careful this is a bad one. No kidding??? really?
We are now having fun no matter what.
We take the bus back to the hotel and take showers. Ironic huh???? We were only missing soap anyway at this point! Have some dinner and out comes the sun. Off to AK..... They have EMH tonight. We really had wanted to start the day here but knew the kids would want MK but we still got to some rides like a rollercoaster that spins too, forgot the name, but it almost killed me. really. The kids wanted to back on with me just to see me in pain -I swear..And Dinosaur!Great!!From what I saw... I kept closing my eyes...( Really have to stop doing that I'd like t remember more of the ride...) My DD6 saw more than me.
We all left exhausted....I'm thinking .... this was great.... and it was..... Off to bed..

 

[Dizneydaz]

Keep up the great reports-I love reading them! Sorry about your car trouble driving. I just recently sold my 2000 Windstar with 76M miles and never had a problem with it (not even the tranny) I hope the nice couple who bought it have continued good luck with it.

 

[wdwfan1]

I am enjoying your report. Where did you stay?

We are also from Long Island and we made that ride twice, so I know how long it seems.

 

[icydog]

I am going to forward this thread to my husband and kids. It is one of the funniest I have ever read. Thanks, and sorry about the van.

Marylyn

 

[TyNicJen]

crazedDisFan- Love the name

dvcmbr and convert - thanks

DisneyMissy318 - You win! 2 by 35,000! It took me 56,000! I thought we rebuilt this van piece by oiece too. When under the warrany they seemed to fix everything. I was in there more in three years than I was to Peditricians!(Three kids mind you) I even knew their names! I figured I may by another van when the warranty ran out but why bother This one had all new pieces>
This is a van

UtahMama -You are amazing. Love the pre trip thread. Literally laughed out loud. Thanks I needed that. and top ten reason your addicted to Disboards! still working on both.

mask w03 and DebIreland - Thanks

spokanemom -I didn't think I would stick it out either but then it happens to you and you really think it out - it works. I thought I would fall apart but the oppisite happened. We just moved on ,a little stressed but we went. Someone said to me the other day, in talking about her life, "I don't like to go backward just move foward." It really hit me - I like it.

mumof3 You know it well then. No other feeling like it. Hope your trip is great. Hug pooh for me too. Can't wait to hear your trip!

disneynewbee - Somehow I think you make a good time. If you stop and look through the kids eyes you can't help but have a good time.

Dizneydaz- At least there was 1 good windstar. thanks

wdwfan1-POR Amazing but too big. We went and spent our time at POFQ

Icydog Thanks. Glad you like it. Its a great outlet.

 

[Boston5602]

july 1st traded in my 2003 Ford Windstar for a Chevy HHR because the transmission @72,000 miles was going for the SECOND time.

I hope you get sunshine for the rest of your trip

 

[TyNicJen]

Smart man.

 

[TyNicJen]

Well here we are. We wake up and decide this is a day better spent at the hotel pool. We got back late and I was the only one up early. We thought this may happen and since we have non expiring passes we took the day off. I let the kids sleep in w/DH and set off to the pool with coffee in my mug. I started at the POR pool and walked over to the POFQ. It was such a quiet walk and the river was so calming I couldn't heplp but be relaxed. No one was awake and the fresh air was amazing. The family never missed me. I watched the ducks by the lake, the fish in the water and the river flow and was in my glory with my coffee.
After alot of thought I went back to the hotel and picked up the family. WE went fishing at the POR and really didn't get much so we went to the pool. They had a great pool with a slide the kids lovedl. Then we went to the POFQ. They loved that pool even more. The giant serpant type got them and the music piped throughout the grouds got me. Sooooo relaxing..... I thought we would make DDD by boat but never did.
Ithought our bad carma was over but not quite yet.........
The next day we woke up and left early for the Nick Hotel. Now when you arrive a Disney you can usually get a room even if you are a little early... not here.... so after check -in we went to the pool. All our kids were ready in their swimsuits just in case this happened. So off to the pool we went. Well we came in on the party of the year. The Nick Hotel was celebrating their 1st anniversary on this day. Now the party was great - BIG cake at the pool and many activities and full coverage by local T.V. It was really crowded but the kids had a great time. They got slimed in the big pool and got cake and party goods like spongebob hats etc..
When it was time to get our rooms we were called on our cell and off we went.(Mind you we had already made ressies for the shows they have at the very beginning. Do this right away or you may get shut out.)
While I was making ressies (at the time of check-in my DH had the kids at the river or lake outside)I came back to find my DH lost his sunglasses over the water into lake! My kids told me as DH just sat with drink in hand not believing that this too just happened( They cost aboiut 120.00 and were a gift from me for a special B-day) WhaT ELSE COULD HAPPEN OH YEAH DON'T EVER ASK THIS QUESTION) Well off I went to find someone to help and help they tried. But The larged net didn't work, time after time. I know I tried myself 6 TIMES!
After that we finally get to a room and it is a fairly odd parents room(
That should be Spongebob and should overlook the pool but is overloking the food shack they have. I called to change rooms but the computers are down and it may take a while. I finally decide to let the kids and I shower Not realy wanting to wreck the room but it is taking forever..... 2 hours later we get a room overloking the parking lot an the guy says "We won't charge you for the POOLVIEW" Thanks alot! So I ask if they wil take off the extra charge of the spongebob room and they say okay. We agree.... Off to our new room,
I think okay this must be enough...... We've been through it all so off we go............
The show was great and my oldest son got picked to go on stage so it was extra special.. He was the hit of the evening. After the show he got a balloon animal, actually a cool sword you see he makes ballon stuff so this was great. My daughter had her face painted for 2.00 an DS8 picked something from the gift shop. All was great...More to come.. Just too tired Let me know if you are inteested in anything at
dis Or nick. Theres more to the story believe me it's not over yet ......I WISH.....