mkingdon
Obsessed...and admits it!!
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2002
- Messages
- 408
Cast
Me - Craig, only just 33. Rucksack carrier and stroller pusher.
Louise - Wife, 34, slowly becoming addicted to WDW.
Emily - Aged 8. Moody, full of attitude and daddys girl.
Rebecca - Aged 6. Comedian, Olympic eater and worrier.
The Williams tour of Florida restrooms, sponsored by VISA.
Day Eight Thursday 21st August The Longest Day
This may be confusing, but I have made a boo boo. I actually missed a day out!!! I know that sounds daft, but once you read the missing day you will perhaps understand. I actually forgot to make notes on it whilst in the US, which I think was an attempt to block it from my memory.
So here is the real day Eight. The old day eight is now day nine. Still with me? I hope so. The real Day Eight will be brief (as I have no notes) and it isnt very interesting anyway.
So the plan for today was Sea World. Up we all got, and for a change we fancied breakfast out today. Well, as we were heading to the I Drive area the vote was for Dennys.
Ever since I started going to WDW in 1980 (with my parents as a VERY young boy I might add), the one constant (it seems) had been Dennys. The skillets and slams are wonderful, and the price very reasonable. Advert over.
So we headed up the I4, came off when the sign said Sea World (just after Dollys place) and followed the signs. Well, I got a bit lost looking for I Drive. Dont laugh. In all our trips we have never stayed on I Drive, and my bearings were all over the place. Anyway, I of course didnt let on that I was completely lost, and gave out a calm, controlled appearance whilst frantically looking for a landmark I recognised. I didnt find one.
Then, like an oasis, I spotted an IHOP. Thatll do. Ok so its not Dennys, but whats the matter with you, cant you try something new? Where is your sense of adventure. So I pulled into the car park in my calm assured manner.
Any place that specialises in pancakes cant be bad right? Right. It was fine. We all had pancakes, mine had blueberries on. Very nice. The kids had smiley face type. Our server was very attentive, and we all enjoyed it. Half way though the meal, I went to the restroom. Well 8 days in I had to break eventually!!
In the bathroom, having a moment or two to ponder the day ahead, I had a sinking feeling. That lovely voucher I had printed off for the Sea World tickets, that should have been nestled in my attractive bum bag, was still nestled in all my paperwork back at the house. My, that is annoying I said.
So I went to confess to the family that their ever perfect father/husband had dropped a clanger. Louise wasnt too bothered. It was looking like rain, and why didnt we go shopping to day instead?
My mind raced .how could I escape this without appearing unwilling to shop. In the end, I submitted to my fate, after all it was me who had forgotten the tickets, and it was my job to choose a mall to visit.
I consulted the map, and Florida Mall looked the easiest to get to, so off we went.
The next few hours were a blur of plastic cards and plastic bags. The one plus point was that I finally got Rebecca that GameBoy. No idea whether it was a good deal or not but at around $60 I dont think it was bad. It included a game as well, so I felt better about that.
Many, many long hours later, the girls and I pleaded for mercy. Surely there wasnt a nook or cranny we hadnt seen yet. Wed even got the girls new school shoes!!! So we found our way back to the car.
Remember Louise whining on about not being well? Well, it came to a crescendo as we left the Mall. Uncanny I thought, as she seemed fine during the retail therapy, although she had been to the restroom about a dozen times.
Well, now those fateful words were uttered. I think I need to see a doctor. I think we must hold the record on this one. Every trip abroad, and I mean every trip since our little family has existed, has involved at least one medical emergency.
Ear infections, stomach upsets, problems with down below etc etc. So off we went. I thought wed head back to the 192, as our regular American doctor was there, and it would be nice to see him again.
Well, after an hour in the CentraCare, Louise finally emerged. Right, lets get your drugs and get on with our holiday. Its only 5.30 and a whole evening lies ahead, filled with whatever fun we can imagine.
Not so fast, naïve-boy. I have to go to the hospital. At that moment, my financial life flashed before my eyes.
I need a scan.
My mind raced ..well the kids would fetch a couple of grand each, and if I sell the Jeep and dont tell Dollar we should be OK. Mentally I tried to picture the insurance document (next to the Sea World tickets back at the house) and read what we were covered for.
So off we went to Celebration hospital. Louise had wanted to spend some time in Celebration on this trip. Id be grateful if shed keep her mouth shut next time!!!
We arrived at around 6pm. I still had hopes of a quick visit to ER, and back to the fun (and maybe even some food) before bedtime. Well, we waited for half an hour, and they called her name. Result. Much better than the NHS, and their four hour waits in A&E. I knew we should have lived in the US instead.
Five minutes later, and Louise is out. Great. Where to go now?
Louise had just seen the triage nurse for assessment. Apparently they evaluate how ill you are, and put you to the back of the queue unless you have missing limbs. Wed have to wait to see a doctor.
Ok, lets find a snack to hold us, and then eat when all this is over. We go to the hospital canteen and have a drink and some chips (crisps to you and me).
Back to the waiting room. Six hours later, they call Louise again, its now almost midnight!!!!! I was in danger of losing the magic at this point. Not helped by Louise telling me she felt much better!!
An hour later, Louise returns. I have two children asleep on me, I am starving and tired, and I now have to go and pay for the privilege. I wont tell you how much this was as it hurts to type figures that big, but I wish I was on the same hourly rate. Id only have to work till the end of next week and then I could retire.
Just pleased to escape, we bundle the kids into the Jeep and head home. Too tired for food, and straight to bed.
Tomorrow Sea World (again)
Me - Craig, only just 33. Rucksack carrier and stroller pusher.
Louise - Wife, 34, slowly becoming addicted to WDW.
Emily - Aged 8. Moody, full of attitude and daddys girl.
Rebecca - Aged 6. Comedian, Olympic eater and worrier.
The Williams tour of Florida restrooms, sponsored by VISA.
Day Eight Thursday 21st August The Longest Day
This may be confusing, but I have made a boo boo. I actually missed a day out!!! I know that sounds daft, but once you read the missing day you will perhaps understand. I actually forgot to make notes on it whilst in the US, which I think was an attempt to block it from my memory.
So here is the real day Eight. The old day eight is now day nine. Still with me? I hope so. The real Day Eight will be brief (as I have no notes) and it isnt very interesting anyway.
So the plan for today was Sea World. Up we all got, and for a change we fancied breakfast out today. Well, as we were heading to the I Drive area the vote was for Dennys.
Ever since I started going to WDW in 1980 (with my parents as a VERY young boy I might add), the one constant (it seems) had been Dennys. The skillets and slams are wonderful, and the price very reasonable. Advert over.
So we headed up the I4, came off when the sign said Sea World (just after Dollys place) and followed the signs. Well, I got a bit lost looking for I Drive. Dont laugh. In all our trips we have never stayed on I Drive, and my bearings were all over the place. Anyway, I of course didnt let on that I was completely lost, and gave out a calm, controlled appearance whilst frantically looking for a landmark I recognised. I didnt find one.
Then, like an oasis, I spotted an IHOP. Thatll do. Ok so its not Dennys, but whats the matter with you, cant you try something new? Where is your sense of adventure. So I pulled into the car park in my calm assured manner.
Any place that specialises in pancakes cant be bad right? Right. It was fine. We all had pancakes, mine had blueberries on. Very nice. The kids had smiley face type. Our server was very attentive, and we all enjoyed it. Half way though the meal, I went to the restroom. Well 8 days in I had to break eventually!!
In the bathroom, having a moment or two to ponder the day ahead, I had a sinking feeling. That lovely voucher I had printed off for the Sea World tickets, that should have been nestled in my attractive bum bag, was still nestled in all my paperwork back at the house. My, that is annoying I said.
So I went to confess to the family that their ever perfect father/husband had dropped a clanger. Louise wasnt too bothered. It was looking like rain, and why didnt we go shopping to day instead?
My mind raced .how could I escape this without appearing unwilling to shop. In the end, I submitted to my fate, after all it was me who had forgotten the tickets, and it was my job to choose a mall to visit.
I consulted the map, and Florida Mall looked the easiest to get to, so off we went.
The next few hours were a blur of plastic cards and plastic bags. The one plus point was that I finally got Rebecca that GameBoy. No idea whether it was a good deal or not but at around $60 I dont think it was bad. It included a game as well, so I felt better about that.
Many, many long hours later, the girls and I pleaded for mercy. Surely there wasnt a nook or cranny we hadnt seen yet. Wed even got the girls new school shoes!!! So we found our way back to the car.
Remember Louise whining on about not being well? Well, it came to a crescendo as we left the Mall. Uncanny I thought, as she seemed fine during the retail therapy, although she had been to the restroom about a dozen times.
Well, now those fateful words were uttered. I think I need to see a doctor. I think we must hold the record on this one. Every trip abroad, and I mean every trip since our little family has existed, has involved at least one medical emergency.
Ear infections, stomach upsets, problems with down below etc etc. So off we went. I thought wed head back to the 192, as our regular American doctor was there, and it would be nice to see him again.
Well, after an hour in the CentraCare, Louise finally emerged. Right, lets get your drugs and get on with our holiday. Its only 5.30 and a whole evening lies ahead, filled with whatever fun we can imagine.
Not so fast, naïve-boy. I have to go to the hospital. At that moment, my financial life flashed before my eyes.
I need a scan.
My mind raced ..well the kids would fetch a couple of grand each, and if I sell the Jeep and dont tell Dollar we should be OK. Mentally I tried to picture the insurance document (next to the Sea World tickets back at the house) and read what we were covered for.
So off we went to Celebration hospital. Louise had wanted to spend some time in Celebration on this trip. Id be grateful if shed keep her mouth shut next time!!!
We arrived at around 6pm. I still had hopes of a quick visit to ER, and back to the fun (and maybe even some food) before bedtime. Well, we waited for half an hour, and they called her name. Result. Much better than the NHS, and their four hour waits in A&E. I knew we should have lived in the US instead.
Five minutes later, and Louise is out. Great. Where to go now?
Louise had just seen the triage nurse for assessment. Apparently they evaluate how ill you are, and put you to the back of the queue unless you have missing limbs. Wed have to wait to see a doctor.
Ok, lets find a snack to hold us, and then eat when all this is over. We go to the hospital canteen and have a drink and some chips (crisps to you and me).
Back to the waiting room. Six hours later, they call Louise again, its now almost midnight!!!!! I was in danger of losing the magic at this point. Not helped by Louise telling me she felt much better!!
An hour later, Louise returns. I have two children asleep on me, I am starving and tired, and I now have to go and pay for the privilege. I wont tell you how much this was as it hurts to type figures that big, but I wish I was on the same hourly rate. Id only have to work till the end of next week and then I could retire.
Just pleased to escape, we bundle the kids into the Jeep and head home. Too tired for food, and straight to bed.
Tomorrow Sea World (again)
Oh dear, poor Louise, hope everything was ok. "I need a scan" - little words but terrifying all the same.
