This doesn't look like New Orleans...

[DisDadDoc]

Sounds Fun

Thanks, Jazzabelle!

Awesome luck on the shuttle launch. I got to see Discovery launch from the Orlando Airport in October 2007. We were waiting for our plane home and watching the launch countdown on TV. As soon as the engines fired I (along with just about everyone else in the terminal) pressed our faces to the south facing windows and strained to look as far east as we could. Sure enough, huge fireball and white smoke contrails, just like your picture. Just an awesome sight.

We got that shot from our seats. Awesome is overused, but that's what it was!

Who needs Starbucks when you can have Nescafe?

Where's that spit-take smilie?

I noticed that you didn't say whose button you gave away. Let me guess, yours is pinned to your chest and DW walked away empty handed.

Very perceptive! Truth be told, I gave him mine, but then DW gave me hers. But I suspected that she would (she had a nicer shirt on than me!)

Any reaction after that? Preferably a happy one?

It took her awhile to go from stunned to happy. Definitely we were in the air before that transition took place. Probably not until we were at MCO.

Dang it, Barry beat me to the Nescafe joke.

Still funny!

Maybe so, but I wouldn't mind another one!

A huge party in your honor with all your friends, then a fabulous vacation? I imagine that after that, starting married life is somewhat of a letdown. At least, that's what we tell ourselves....

Nice!

Wimp jokes? Who, us?

I walk in solidarity with you on ToT, however.

Excellent! While everyone else is on the thrill rides, we can drink around the world!

Great pics!!! How cool you got to see the space shuttle! Ever see the video someone took while they were flying over Florida?

No! I'll have to look on You Tube!

So what is the secret of getting 999,999 on Buzz? I need pointers, PRONTO!

There are a few 100,000 point targets out there...

I need to go to WDW with you and Mark so one of you guys can hold my beer while I'm going on ToT and RnCC!!!!!

Sure, we'll hold whatever you want. Let us hold you wallet, too, so that it doesn't drop out. I promise not to charge anything

 

[GoHerd1028]

I love the report so far!!! The Shuttle launch was a great stroke of luck to be in the right place at the right time!! Year ago we had passes from NASA to watch a shuttle launch and just as the countdown hit 10 seconds the launch was scrapped and had to be rescheduled for another day so I never got to see that

 

[afwdwfan]

After stopping at one of our favorite Starbucks (why isn't there Starbucks in WDW?)

They obviously won't pay enough for the product placement, although you'd think they could afford to as much as they charge for coffee.


That is really cool that you got to see a shuttle launch. Especially with the fact that there are only a few more left before the program ends.

It looks like a really nice trip for the two of you. I'm glad that she apparently appreciated your surprise.

 

[garryhman]

Liking what I'm reading. Got to hand it to ya, you make us other Dis Dad's look a little flat in the romance department.

 

[Jazzabelle508]

How do you get 999,999 points on buzz lightyear? I've never seen someone actually achieve it. I had some of my best games ever this trip but they weren't anywhere near 999,999 points

 

[DisDadDoc]

I love the report so far!!! The Shuttle launch was a great stroke of luck to be in the right place at the right time!! Year ago we had passes from NASA to watch a shuttle launch and just as the countdown hit 10 seconds the launch was scrapped and had to be rescheduled for another day so I never got to see that

That is really cool that you got to see a shuttle launch. Especially with the fact that there are only a few more left before the program ends.

There is another scheduled for April 19th, I think. Maybe we can see that one as well!

 

[DisDadDoc]

Liking what I'm reading. Got to hand it to ya, you make us other Dis Dad's look a little flat in the romance department.

It looks like a really nice trip for the two of you. I'm glad that she apparently appreciated your surprise.

This was probably my one and only breakout event. I gotta milk it for all I can!

 

[DisDadDoc]

How do you get 999,999 points on buzz lightyear? I've never seen someone actually achieve it. I had some of my best games ever this trip but they weren't anywhere near 999,999 points

There are a few 100,000 targets out there. The two easiest to hit are: (1) there is a large robot on the left with moving arms. On the arm farthest away, on the inside, there is a target worth 100,000. You can start hitting this from just outside the room and may be able to rack up 9-10 hits by the time your through that room. But if you don't, spin around to the right side of the track. There is a target on the base on Zurg, under the battery. This one is harder to hit, and somewhat easier as you're leaving that room (turn and face backwards). Sometimes the CM will help you with these (although they claim not to be able to tell you). There's also a 100,000 target in the dark tunnel with the short movie showing overhead. My daughter hit it multiple times (and got 999,999!) but I've never been able to find it. Its supposed to be over the track opening in front of you.

Good luck!

 

[DrMomof3]

Thanks for giving some good advice in my PTR!
I see that you're another family who is brave enough (or crazy enough???) to have 3 kids. I love that Disney has worked out so well for your oldest child. My youngest has some significant motor delays (they think he has benign congenital hypotonia - since you're a doc and might possibly know what that means - although it might be mild CP) and we've found Disney to be incredibly accommodating.
I totally love the surprise trip idea! Amazing!!! Tom and I had a child-free weekend last April while I attended a one day robotic surgery conference at YC. I totally agree that Disney without children is incredibly liberating and indulgent! I love going with my kids but it was fun to get to choose the things that I like to do (without any whining at all - weird!). And we actually got to take a mid-afternoon nap!

Amanda

 

[DisDadDoc]

Thanks for giving some good advice in my PTR!
I see that you're another family who is brave enough (or crazy enough???) to have 3 kids. I love that Disney has worked out so well for your oldest child. My youngest has some significant motor delays (they think he has benign congenital hypotonia - since you're a doc and might possibly know what that means - although it might be mild CP) and we've found Disney to be incredibly accommodating.
I totally love the surprise trip idea! Amazing!!! Tom and I had a child-free weekend last April while I attended a one day robotic surgery conference at YC. I totally agree that Disney without children is incredibly liberating and indulgent! I love going with my kids but it was fun to get to choose the things that I like to do (without any whining at all - weird!). And we actually got to take a mid-afternoon nap!

Amanda

Thanks for joining, Amanda!

I'm in pediatric critical care, so I do know what you're talking about. Plus our oldest went through a number of diagnoses before settling on Aspergers, so I'm familiar with the musical diagnoses game! It's a very small world, so I'm sure that we know some of the same folks

Three kids does seem to put you in a different category! Are you DVC? The suites are really nice and a great way to accommodate 3 growing kids.

I hope to do this again (without the surprise). The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology meeting is in Orlando next March!

 

[dvczerfs]

im in!!! great trip report doc. sorry im late. you have to hit me with a ton of bricks. even in red letters i didnt see it.

 

[DisDadDoc]

im in!!! great trip report doc. sorry im late. you have to hit me with a ton of bricks. even in red letters i didnt see it.

LOL! I'm the same way. Guys are usually done with their TR before I notice! I need a day off just to catch up on the boards...

 

[TeresaNJ]

Enjoying your report!

 

[DrMomof3]

Wow Chris! We probably do know many of the same people. I'm a pediatric urologist (which I think is in my PTR?) so we work some with the PICU folks. Gotta love the musical diagnoses. I've come to realize that the name of the problem doesn't matter so much since the treatment is the same - therapy, therapy, therapy (and not the psychiatric kind - at least until we mess him up some more!).

We haven't taken the plunge with DVC yet. Mostly because we collectively did 14 years of post-medical school training (we each did a 6 year residency and I did a 2 year fellowship) and I think we'll be paying off our debt until the college bills start. We're in the process of buying a house and my DH won't even talk DVC until the house is a done-deal. And he's right. We've gotten great discount codes on rooms so we've stayed in several villas before (a 2 bedroom at SSR with my parents, a one bedroom at BCV, and - this summer - a one bedroom at BLT).

Amanda

 

[DisDadDoc]

Wow Chris! We probably do know many of the same people. I'm a pediatric urologist (which I think is in my PTR?) so we work some with the PICU folks. Gotta love the musical diagnoses. I've come to realize that the name of the problem doesn't matter so much since the treatment is the same - therapy, therapy, therapy (and not the psychiatric kind - at least until we mess him up some more!).

We haven't taken the plunge with DVC yet. Mostly because we collectively did 14 years of post-medical school training (we each did a 6 year residency and I did a 2 year fellowship) and I think we'll be paying off our debt until the college bills start. We're in the process of buying a house and my DH won't even talk DVC until the house is a done-deal. And he's right. We've gotten great discount codes on rooms so we've stayed in several villas before (a 2 bedroom at SSR with my parents, a one bedroom at BCV, and - this summer - a one bedroom at BLT).

Amanda

I couldn't agree more. The best advice we ever got was let them give him the "worst" diagnosis you can. Whatever gets him the most services is what you want, because in the end, you are totally right, its about services!

Medical school debt is a tough one. I had a lot as well (went to Georgetown ), but I only did 6 years post-medical school, and fortunately, we only have my debt (my wife is a teacher). Also, I've been lucky enough to get the NIH loan repayment program so we're finally starting to make a dent in my loans. And upstate CT houses aren't as expensive as Westchester, so we've got that going for us!

Take care!

 

[francis6306]

How sweet! I am def coming back to follow this one! My husband probably COULD plan a trip on his own in a few years. Once he saw how much planning went into our first disney trip, he actually wanted to be pretty involved!

 

[amyrella]

i'm in!! that is so great that you surprised your wife like that!!!

looking forward to reading more!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

What a fun TR so far! How cool you were able to pull off a surprise trip!!! (I had changed the resort we were staying at on our most recent trip, and could barely keep that surprise, I can't imagine keeping the ENTIRE trip a secret!! )

Thanks for including the tips on how to get high scores on Buzz Lightyear. Honestly, I'm lucky if I get over 500 points on that ride (I'm fairly miserable at it, I know!), I bet that would be a big surprise to DBF if I actually beat him on that ride! (Nah, he would just suspect some Dis researching ).

 

[francis6306]

Anyone here?? Not that I'm able to keep up with my own TR consistently, but I just wanted to let you know I'm out here waiting on ya!

 

[DisDadDoc]

Anyone here?? Not that I'm able to keep up with my own TR consistently, but I just wanted to let you know I'm out here waiting on ya!

Okay, I hear you! Hopefully in the next couple of days! Gotta finish soon, we'll be headed down in < 20 days!