This Trip Is Being Refurbished for Your Future Enjoyment: UPDATED 11/15!

[Captain_Oblivious]

It's good, her drivel, real good.

Cool. I love me some good drivel!

Yeah, I know, I know. And if BF and I had kids I suspect someday he might become a card-carrying member of the Disney Dads club. But he can be so stereotypical male. And I like to give him crap for that.

And I do the same with us women. We're no trip (even if we are always right). Believe me, I know.

We secretly love it when our wives/girlfriends give us crap. At least a little bit.

I do! The more the merrier. You DIS Dads are a rare breed. And GREATLY appreciated.

 

[ErinKate]

Found your post on TINKERBELLARELLA and noticed that you're trip is similar to ours, but we'll be staying at AKV! Excited and reading all these TR's with pics leaves me

Just wanted to say and Happy Trip!

Ah thanks! Happy trip to you as well I can't wait to see all the decorations - my favorite time of the year, in my favorite place!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yay! You have started! I'm very excited to read about your trip!!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I am here. Now I am going back to read.

Hey there! And look at you! Every day your trip creeps closer.

Subscribing - I'm very curious about solo trips. I think I would love to do one someday!

I will say that they aren't for everyone and even I, someone who LOVES her alone time in the World, can get lonely from time to time, but it truly is a unique experience.

...but we'll be staying at AKV!

That's where I'm staying in Feb./Mar. 2011!

Subscribing and anxious to hear about more....

And welcome!!!

Dude, you're the new Zzub, I swear.......one little installment and THREE pages of comments!!

The new Z? Prolly not. But that was quite the compliment. Thanks.

Besides, I have more hair.

Anyway, I'm in -- of course!!
.

There wasn't a doubt in my mind.

Talk, strong arm, beat, otherwise coerce... why yes, that WOULD be helpful. But you're right they'd probably get together and do guy things and forget all about why they were supposed to talk in the first place.

Men. WHY didn't I pick a Disney loving one??

Love is a funny, funny thing. It sounds like you're in the same boat I was in for about 11 years. Don't worry, you'll get there. When I mentioned this to BF he said, "Did they already pay for the trip? Because if so and now he won't go she should beat him senseless."

My response, "Can't. He doesn't want to go to Disney. He's already senseless."

Holy moly...page 3...this TR is hopping!!!! Well I'm definitely in and I can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

Yeah, it was definitely busy in my absence! People popping up all over the place. It's nice. I feel loved.

Page 3-the title sounds very ominous.....
Good luck with the move and the busy time of year for your job!

Thanks! The title...is...well, accurate, in a few ways.

Sanity? I'm looking for a little of that! And if it turns out I have to go all the way to WDW for it, well then... I'm probably out of luck. Hopefully you have secrets to share?

Nah, you don't HAVE to go to Disney...but it is the most MAGICAL place in the world (and the World) to find it.

We secretly love it when our wives/girlfriends give us crap. At least a little bit.

Hm. Perhaps some man should create the 'Crap-O-Meter' so we know when you've hit your limit.

Yay! You have started! I'm very excited to read about your trip!!

Thanks! I need to go catch up on yours!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Before we embark on this solo journey together...well, that's an oxymoron if I ever saw one...anywho, before we get started, I should first tell you a little bit about the major player on this trip, ME, and some of the minor players. So, please pardon this minor diversion before we get on our way.

Introducing...

Your Main Character

Me! Tinkerbellarella

That's me, on the left, with my friend Missy at my first MNSSHP in 2008.​

Hi! I'm Nicole a.k.a. Nikki a.k.a. TINK, to most, and I'm 30 (turning 31 in a scant 11 days). I am your typical Disneyholic. This was my 12th trip to Disney. My love of the Big Cheese started with my grandparents way back when I was 7 years old and has only grown since. Interesting how my bank account has proportionately shrunk. My past trips include stays at: Buena Vista Palace (now the Wyndham in Downtown Disney Village), Caribbean Beach, camping in Kissimmee, the Dolphin, the Swan, the Renaissance Orlando @ Sea World, All Star Music, Pop Century, the Sheraton Safri Resort, and the Polynesian (cue choirs of angels). I've just about seen it all, including the Dark side - the non-Disney parks. The only Disney park I've never visited is Blizzard Beach.

I'm, well, a character. I love my boyfriend, family, friends and cats with the fierceness of a lioness. Spiders reduce me to a quivering pile of raw fear. If you told me I'd won a shopping spree in Steve Madden, Borders or COACH, you'd know what true happiness looked like. If I visited for dinner and steamed broccoli was on the menu, you'd know what nausea looked like. I'd rather sit down with a good book than watch TV but am a sucker for going to the movies.

I live in Southeastern, MA, near the RI border, but commute 90 minutes each way every day to my job in Boston. I work for a large law firm that spans 3 continents and 11 cities. Do I love it? Nah. But it's a good job and pays the bills. Future plans include paying down debt, finding an "easy" job and writing the novel that's been sitting inside me since I was able to put pencil to paper.

I live with my BF and have for a few years now. We aren't married and don't have kids and don't really have plans for either. We both love children and have 5 nieces/godchildren between us, but we also love giving them back.

Supporting Cast Members

As I mentioned in the last chapter, this trip was originally supposed to be shared with my BF, my Prince Charming:

At Universal Studio from our US/IOA/SW trip in April 2009.​

He's my brave firefighter-to-be.

But he was staying home. He'd be there, caring for our kittehs and getting ready for his big test on Tuesday, 9/21. However he still figured prominently on this trip as we chitchatted a few times every day.

There were also a number of DISers who made appearances somehow on this trip:

TarzansKat - also known as my long, lost DIS twin. KittyKat and I "met" on the DIS a few years ago and then met for real on our Sept. 2008 trips. We are kindred spirits, we share the same soul, we are driven by The Force (I'm Luke, she's Leia, minus the cinnamon rolls). Kat SO wanted to take BF's place on this trip, but as she recently had her second son and her first son was starting kindergarten, it simply wasn't feasible. So, instead, I talked to her almost every day, sometimes multiple times, and she stalked me via her imagination.

Oh! I almost forgot. The most important part. TK loves her some Capt. Jack Sparrow. And I may or may not also be amenable to the dreadlock-ed captain and may or may not have brought rappeling gear on this trip to scale the MNSSHP float and commit my first felony - kidnapping.

No worries. I have AAA. They have a bail bond service.

Ahem. Moving on.

LegoMom3 - LegoMomma and I also became friends here on the DIS first and finally got to meet on my May trip with TK in 2009. She's loverly. And she was in need of a little Disney magic in her week. So I obliged, via text.

daisyyy - I was blessed to meet Sheila and her beautiful family on this trip. She is a contributor over on a thread I subscribe to on the Community Boards and it just so happens that our trips overlapped by a couple of days. She was kind (or brave) enough to agree to a meet and I spent some wonderful time in the Imagination pavilion with her, her husband and her 4 lovely children.

AshClan - Susan and I also communicated via text on and off throughout the week and had just met the week prior to my leaving. We'd had us some Earl of Sandwich from the gates area in Terminal E at Logan Airport. NOM!* We didn't even have to fly anywhere. We used our super-secret airport skillz to get in. Or Susan knew someone willing to help us through Security. Either one. We're still ninjas.

And that's the motley crue. (NO80'sHairBand)

So now, if you'll please put up your tray tables and return your seat backs to their fully upright positions, we'll be on our way...

Our story begins on Disney Eve - Saturday, September 18th. Normally Disney Eve in the Tinkerbellarella household is filled with frenetic energy and much running around like a headless chicken (which, when you really give it some thought, is a REALLY disturbing image). However, THIS trip I'd taken steps to make sure that wouldn't happen. BF was working during the day and I wanted to make sure I was relaxed and calm and ready to spend a nice evening with him before we were parted for a week.



Ok. That's the last crying fit.

Maybe.

Thankfully my mission was accomplished and by the time BF got in I was showered and relaxed on the couch, caught up on my DISing and in a semi-nap state, covered in kitteh. (I needed to get some time in with my furbabies too.) I was, however, in a bit of pain. Physical pain. And it was definitely giving me a little bit of trip anxiety.

Earlier in the week I had somehow tweaked my knee and it was a throbbing, achy mess. Not only was it interfering with my half-marathon training, but it was also pressing in on Disney touring. ARGH. I'd been going easy on it all day and pumping myself up with Advil, but there was still a nagging worry in the back of my mind.

Once BF was squeaky clean, we decided to grab some dinner at Ruby Tuesday's which, while not a Disney meal, I considered my first vacation meal. I had a burger that was absolutely nomtastic. We then headed for our local theatre to catch the new Ben Affleck film, The Town. (Despite too "neat" of an ending, a very good flick.) Our plans worked out very nicely, getting us in around 9:45 p.m. and feeling tired enough to get in a solid 7 hours of sleep or so before the 4:30 alarm.

Or so I thought.

When I dropped into bed around 10 p.m., knee still throbbing and newly medicated with more Advil, I was EX-hausted.

And wide awake.

I fell into an uneasy sleep and unfortunately saw the clock at 12:30, 1:30, watched most of the minutes pass between 2:30 and 4:00 and then fell into a blissfully deep sleep.

For 30 minutes.

I swear, if it weren't for the caffeine-like buzz of the "I'm going to Disney" energy I don't know if I would've made it out of bed. But when the alarm went off and BF said into the dark, "You're going to Disney today, boo" I was instantly reenergized.

My knee was a little better, though I was treading pretty lightly on it. I'd showered the night before and brought all my luggage downstairs, so it was just a quick change and I was about ready to go. I spent some time with Isabel and Dory, our kittehs, and asked them to be good and not harrass BF too much in my absence. You laugh, they do harrass him. Mercilessly.

I may or may not love that.

We were out the door by 4:55 a.m. and, after a quick stop for gas where the patron before me had to wake the sleeping attendant, were on our way to T.F. Green in Warwick, RI. There weren't many cars on the highway and we made it in good time, pulling up to the curb in the Departures area around 5:30.

As I got out of the driver's seat and BF was pulling my bags out of the back, I was coaching myself to keep it together. I didn't want to cry in front of BF. I knew he was already sad that he wasn't going and my tears would only make it worse. We met on the sidewalk and embraced in what could contend for the Guiness Book of World Records title for the Longest. Hug. Ever.

:cue Titanic soundtrack:

"I'll never let go, BF, I'll never let go."

Then, just like Rose, I let go. Only I wasn't holding on to Jack's frigid, lifeless grip. I was holding onto my boarding pass for a 7:00 a.m. flight to Orlando.

After one more kiss, BF was behind the wheel and I was walking into the airport, headed to the Southwest desk to check my suitcase. There was no line to speak of and I strolled right up to the self-service kiosk. As my bag was weighed and tagged, I noticed that the people next to me also had ME tags on their bags with an Animal Kingdom location. I wondered if they were staying at Pop too, but couldn't see that part of the tag. I never saw them again so, who knows. The SW agent checked my ID and my boarding pass, tagged my bag with it's very own boarding pass and had it happily (and freely!) on it's way to the airplane before you could say, "Ding!"

My Disney mojo continued as I moved through a non-existent Security line. I divested myself of sneakers, sweatshirt, purse, carry-on, and separated out my little bag of liquids and my laptop.

Does anyone else already feel exhausted by the time they get to the other side of the body scanner? And God forbid you need to get "wanded". You don't even get dinner and a movie first.

Thankfully no "wanding" was necessary and I bundled up my belongings and got myself together on a nearby bench. I stopped into the Dunkin' Donuts and grabbed my usual (small iced french vanilla decaf, extra milk, on Equal in case you're going to stop by and want to come bearing gifts) and a corn muffin. Then it was on to Gate 19. My boarding position was A32 which meant, if there were no business class passengers with positions 1-15, I'd be the 17th person on the plane. I figured this gave me a good chance for a good seat.

Once I was seated close to the SW boarding corral (remember when it was really like a corral and not the neat little number signposts?) I pulled out my phone, meaning to text BF.

And immediately started to cry.

I was a little embarrassed and so tried to quickly and quietly get myself together. But I was sad. Was I headed to one of my favorite places in the world? Yes. But without my love. And that's what this trip was supposed to be about.

At that moment, my phone vibrated. BF had beat me to it. He texted that he missed me already but he wanted me to have a good time. And that he'd talk to me once the plane was on the ground.

I put my chin up and decided to force on the happy. I WAS going to Disney and it WAS going to be a great trip.

I admit to you all now, though, even though I couldn't admit it to myself at that moment. I wasn't convinced.

I had less than an hour to wait until we were boarded and took to people watching while I ate my muffin and sipped my coffee. The most amusing scene was a couple sitting diagonally across from me. She was talking animatedly and her lap was covered in printed spreadsheets and a Passporter. I swear the woman was plotting World domination. Her husband, seated to her right, was on auto-pilot, nodding when appropriate and staring somewhere just to the left of her head, eyes glazed over.

Made me giggle.

The woman in the set of seats next to me (like many airports it's sets of 4 or 5 seats all connected together) looked like she was already on a theme park ride - and I don't think she was headed to any of the parks! A little boy, Disney-bound, at the other end of the seat set was bouncing all over the place, setting all the seats in motion. I thought about offering her some anti-nausea meds.

Around this point our boarding attendent announced that we'd be boarding shortly, as our flight crew had just arrived. He also announced that it was currently (at 6:16 a.m.) sunny and 72 in Orlando.

72. Hmm. That's kind of warm this early, isn't it?

Remember that.

Our plane was already at the gate and I watched them load up our bags:

As you can see it was a beautiful morning in New England too.​

Just before they started lining us up for boarding, I got into a conversation with a nice couple from South Attleboro, MA. They were heading to Disney too. They visited the World often and we naturally got on to the subject of saving $$ on trips and flights. And that's when the conversation ended, rather abruptly. The husband was less than happy to learn they'd paid $100 more than I did for the same flight. I explained that I basically had to stalk the SW site daily for the savings I'd gotten. He didn't seem impressed. They called out boarding for the A group and we went our separate ways.

Boarding was smooth and I happily ended up in an aisle seat in the 4th row from the front of the plane on the right side. The middle seat was empty. Sitting in the window seat was a nice gentleman who said 'Good Morning' and then proceeded to sleep for the rest of the flight. The flight attendants announced that only 96 of the 130 seats were going to be taken and that if we'd all settle down quickly, we'd already been cleared for take-off and could head out a little early.

We had a very pleasant flight crew. They were relaxed and polite and funny. The male flight attendant who did the safety drill looked to be in his early 50's but man was he jacked! This guy must spend all of his non-working hours in the gym.

Oh.

And he sang.

If you've flown SW you might've encountered some of their singing flight crew. They're a lot of fun and their little songs are hysterical. Before breaking out into song, he announced, "This is a non-smoking flight. There is also no whining, crying or complaining. It's too early."

After he performed our Broadway spectacular, he said, "Thank you for flying Southwest, home of low fares and bad entertainment" and strapped himself in.

As we were taxi-ing out to the runway, I heard a woman behind me say to the little girl sitting across the aisle from her, "Is this your first trip to Disney?"

The little girl, about 4, said, "Oh no! I've been many, many times!"

The little girl's father laughed and said, "When, in another life?"



Then, just as we were starting to pick up speed down the tarmac I heard her say, "Hold on, we're ready to blast off now!"

And blast off we did.

I don't have much to say about the flight. It was smooth. Uneventful.

And THIRTY minutes early!!!



Often my early a.m. Orlando flights are early, but never by that much! It was awesome. I was starting to get the excited "Disney burn" in my chest.

We were treated to another song as we taxied to our gate and the cabin doors were opened and I was heading up that sloped hallway before I knew it. I thought about making a Ladies' Room pit stop, but changed my tune when I saw the line. I headed straight for the "almost-monorail" instead. I called BF and my mom to let them know I'd gotten in ok.

By 9:45 I was standing in line, waiting for Magical Express (ME). It was empty when I first got there but by the time I was ushered to my bus (about 10-15 min. later) it was hopping. In the meantime I called Kat and let her know I'd gotten in ok and what was happening thus far.

"De bus! De bus!"

Ahhhhh...the first palm trees.​

We were en route by 10:10 and our bus driver, Bill, advised us it would be a pleasant 3-4 hour journey. He also let us know that Caribbean Beach (CBR) would be our first stop, followed by Pop. He played a little Disney trivia with us before starting the ME welcome video.

The answer is: Dumbo.

::cue Jeopardy music::

Answer: What is the only ride in the park Walt Disney would not ride?

It all had to do with political party affiliations, etc. Pretty interesting! He passed out Skittles to the person with the right answer. Which was not me.

And thus the ME video began:

My favorite part was Huey, Duey and Luey asking Donald, "Are we there yet?...Are we there yet?...Are we there yet?"​

Now, let me just say that this was my first ME experience, so I don't know if all the bus drivers are as cool as Bill, but he announced a few minutes before, that we would be passing under the "Disney arches" and to get our cameras ready. He put up his sunshade and slowed the bus down for about 5-10 seconds, allowing for this:

My first ever "Welcome to Disney" sign photo. At least I think it's my first one.​

We had arrived.​

UP NEXT: Nobody puts Tinkerbellarella in a corner. But the backside of building six is just fine, please and thank you.

*NOM = Yum; derived from LOLspeak at icanhascheezburger.com.

 

[LegoMom3]

....
Introducing...

Your Main Character

Me! Tinkerbellarella

That's me, on the left, with my friend Missy at my first MNSSHP in 2008.

​

::sigh::.....that's so nice to see.....I miss your smiling face these days....
​

There were also a number of DISers who made appearances somehow on this trip:

TarzansKat - also known as my long, lost DIS twin. KittyKat and I "met" on the DIS a few years ago and then met for real on our Sept. 2008 trips. We are kindred spirits, we share the same soul, we are driven by The Force (I'm Luke, she's Leia, minus the cinnamon rolls). Kat SO wanted to take BF's place on this trip, but as she recently had her second son and her first son was starting kindergarten, it simply wasn't feasible. So, instead, I talked to her almost every day, sometimes multiple times, and she stalked me via her imagination.

Oh! I almost forgot. The most important part. TK loves her some Capt. Jack Sparrow. And I may or may not also be amenable to the dreadlock-ed captain and may or may not have brought rappeling gear on this trip to scale the MNSSHP float and commit my first felony - kidnapping.

No worries. I have AAA. They have a bail bond service.

Ahem. Moving on.

LegoMom3 - LegoMomma and I also became friends here on the DIS first and finally got to meet on my May trip with TK in 2009. She's loverly. And she was in need of a little Disney magic in her week. So I obliged, via text.

daisyyy - I was blessed to meet Sheila and her beautiful family on this trip. She is a contributor over on a thread I subscribe to on the Community Boards and it just so happens that our trips overlapped by a couple of days. She was kind (or brave) enough to agree to a meet and I spent some wonderful time in the Imagination pavilion with her, her husband and her 4 lovely children.

AshClan - Susan and I also communicated via text on and off throughout the week and had just met the week prior to my leaving. We'd had us some Earl of Sandwich from the gates area in Terminal E at Logan Airport. NOM!* We didn't even have to fly anywhere. We used our super-secret airport skillz to get in. Or Susan knew someone willing to help us through Security. Either one. We're still ninjas.

It helped, and I thank you! Glad you got to have so many others involved in this trip, one way or another!

Does anyone else already feel exhausted by the time they get to the other side of the body scanner? And God forbid you need to get "wanded". You don't even get dinner and a movie first.

Oh yeah.....

I had less than an hour to wait until we were boarded and took to people watching while I ate my muffin and sipped my coffee. The most amusing scene was a couple sitting diagonally across from me. She was talking animatedly and her lap was covered in printed spreadsheets and a Passporter. I swear the woman was plotting World domination. Her husband, seated to her right, was on auto-pilot, nodding when appropriate and staring somewhere just to the left of her head, eyes glazed over.

Made me giggle.

Are you sure I wasn't there??!.....

"De bus! De bus!"

Ahhhhh...the first palm trees.​

LOVE these!!!!!!

My first ever "Welcome to Disney" sign photo. At least I think it's my first one.​

We had arrived.​

AND THIS!!!!!!!!!

UP NEXT: Nobody puts Tinkerbellarella in a corner. ...

"Dirty Dancing"!!!! Oh, wait, wrong TR.



Do I still get a point for that?!

.

 

[Lady Lallie]

What a wonderful update to read on this Sunday morning.

Good for you for waiting to cry until you got into the airport. The two trips I have taken without Marc, I get weepy while we hug goodbye. I always feel awful about doing it but I do...I can't help it.

I'm so jealous you got a singing southwest crew, we didn't get one on either of our flights! Boo Hiss. I love when they sing, it makes it such a happy flight!

 

[creativeamanda]

The only Disney park I've never visited is Blizzard Beach.

We has to fix that, Nikki! BB is my kids' fave!

Oh! I almost forgot. The most important part. TK loves her some Capt. Jack Sparrow. And I may or may not also be amenable to the dreadlock-ed captain and may or may not have brought rappeling gear on this trip to scale the MNSSHP float and commit my first felony - kidnapping.

No worries. I have AAA. They have a bail bond service.

Ahem. Moving on.

And see, I could have so helped you out with that one. I would just require a commission.

We used our super-secret airport skillz to get in. Or Susan knew someone willing to help us through Security. Either one. We're still ninjas.

Ninja skillz?

I was, however, in a bit of pain. Physical pain. And it was definitely giving me a little bit of trip anxiety.

We could solve that nasty knee problem like I solved my foot problem last night. . .a few berry mojitos and prescription-strength Motrin.

Just sayin'

I swear, if it weren't for the caffeine-like buzz of the "I'm going to Disney" energy I don't know if I would've made it out of bed. But when the alarm went off and BF said into the dark, "You're going to Disney today, boo" I was instantly reenergized.

I can't understand why in Hades that would make me tear up, but it did.

You laugh, they do harrass him. Mercilessly.

I may or may not love that.

Our cat does that to dh, but I think it's because Tiger knows Dan really doesn't like him.

:cue Titanic soundtrack:

"I'll never let go, BF, I'll never let go."

Then, just like Rose, I let go. Only I wasn't holding on to Jack's frigid, lifeless grip. I was holding onto my boarding pass for a 7:00 a.m. flight to Orlando.

A much better thing to hold onto.

Does anyone else already feel exhausted by the time they get to the other side of the body scanner? And God forbid you need to get "wanded". You don't even get dinner and a movie first.

From time to time they have to do this at school. Every once in a while, they pull out the wands and do random searches and include the teachers for good measure. (Who knows what an overworked, underpaid teacher might do when they reach their point of a nervous breakdown?)

I pulled out my phone, meaning to text Bruce.

And immediately started to cry.

I was a little embarrassed and so tried to quickly and quietly get myself together. But I was sad. Was I headed to one of my favorite places in the world? Yes. But without my love. And that's what this trip was supposed to be about.

At that moment, my phone vibrated. BF had beat me to it. He texted that he missed me already but he wanted me to have a good time. And that he'd talk to me once the plane was on the ground.

How sweet.

I put my chin up and decided to force on the happy. I WAS going to Disney and it WAS going to be a great trip.

I admit to you all now, though, even though I couldn't admit it to myself at that moment. I wasn't convinced.

I had less than an hour to wait until we were boarded and took to people watching while I ate my muffin and sipped my coffee. The most amusing scene was a couple sitting diagonally across from me. She was talking animatedly and her lap was covered in printed spreadsheets and a Passporter. I swear the woman was plotting World domination. Her husband, seated to her right, was on auto-pilot, nodding when appropriate and staring somewhere just to the left of her head, eyes glazed over.

Made me giggle.

That sounds all too familiar to me. And if it's anything like Dan and me, she knows he's not listening, but she really doesn't care, becasue something could sink in.

We had a very pleasant flight crew. They were relaxed and polite and funny. The male flight attendant who did the safety drill looked to be in his early 50's but man was he jacked! This guy must spend all of his non-working hours in the gym.

Oh.

And he sang.

And how could you NOT take a picture for your babnanas?

As we were taxi-ing out to the runway, I heard a woman behind me say to the little girl sitting across the aisle from her, "Is this your first trip to Disney?"

The little girl, about 4, said, "Oh no! I've been many, many times!"

The little girl's father laughed and said, "When, in another life?"

And THIRTY minutes early!!!

That is too cool!

He put up his sunshade and slowed the bus down for about 5-10 seconds, allowing for this:

My first ever "Welcome to Disney" sign photo. At least I think it's my first one.​

My favorite sign in the whole world!

 

[AshClan]

Geesh, I get here a coupla hours late and everyone's already quoted my favorite parts!!

Thanks so much for taking time out of your BUSY weekend (I can only imagine) to give us a chapter!! I hope the packing and purging are going well. You mentioned having boxes that are still unpacked from a few years ago? Well, we have been in our house over 10 years, and I still have several unpacked boxes in the basement! Maybe I should move too

I'm, well, a character.

Understatement of the year?

But he was staying home. He'd be there, caring for our kittehs and getting ready for his big test on Tuesday, 9/21. However he still figured prominently on this trip as we chitchatted a few times every day.

I just realized that we haven't heard how he did on his test. Not that there is any doubt.....

There were also a number of DISers who made appearances somehow on this trip:

Aren't there always? Or is that just me?

We used our super-secret airport skillz to get in. Or Susan knew someone willing to help us through Security. Either one. We're still ninjas.

I will never admit the "knowing someone" part. Ninja skillz all the way! (I know, it's Spiderman not a ninja. It was the best I could do.)

I was, however, in a bit of pain. Physical pain. And it was definitely giving me a little bit of trip anxiety.

Earlier in the week I had somehow tweaked my knee and it was a throbbing, achy mess. Not only was it interfering with my half-marathon training, but it was also pressing in on Disney touring. ARGH. I'd been going easy on it all day and pumping myself up with Advil, but there was still a nagging worry in the back of my mind.

I don't think I knew this! I hope it didn't slow you down!!

We then headed for our local theatre to catch the new Ben Affleck film, The Town. (Despite too "neat" of an ending, a very good flick.)

We are dying to see that movie. If we can ever find the time.....

But when the alarm went off and BF said into the dark, "You're going to Disney today, boo" I was instantly reenergized.

So sweet

:cue Titanic soundtrack:

"I'll never let go, BF, I'll never let go."

Then, just like Rose, I let go. Only I wasn't holding on to Jack's frigid, lifeless grip. I was holding onto my boarding pass for a 7:00 a.m. flight to Orlando.

Great imagery. But I can't top Amanda's line

The SW agent checked my ID and my boarding pass, tagged my bag with it's very own boarding pass and had it happily (and freely!) on it's way to the airplane before you could say, "Ding!"

They should hire you to do a commercial!

My Disney mojo continued as I moved through a non-existent Security line. I divested myself of sneakers, sweatshirt, purse, carry-on, and separated out my little bag of liquids and my laptop.

Does anyone else already feel exhausted by the time they get to the other side of the body scanner?

It's not quite like running (or walking) a 1/2 marathon, but it IS exhausting. And a little bit annoying. Especially when you realize you forgot to pack your $18 can of hairspray into your checked luggage and have to watch them throw it in the trash. Not that that has ever happened to me. TWICE.

I stopped into the Dunkin' Donuts and grabbed my usual (small iced french vanilla decaf, extra milk, on Equal in case you're going to stop by and want to come bearing gifts) and a corn muffin.

Duly noted. Mine is a medium tea, black, one sugar

Once I was seated close to the SW boarding corral (remember when it was really like a corral and not the neat little number signposts?) I pulled out my phone, meaning to text Bruce.

And immediately started to cry.

Awww

At that moment, my phone vibrated. BF had beat me to it. He texted that he missed me already but he wanted me to have a good time. And that he'd talk to me once the plane was on the ground.

Yep, he's a keeper.

The most amusing scene was a couple sitting diagonally across from me. She was talking animatedly and her lap was covered in printed spreadsheets and a Passporter. I swear the woman was plotting World domination. Her husband, seated to her right, was on auto-pilot, nodding when appropriate and staring somewhere just to the left of her head, eyes glazed over.

Made me giggle.

What's so funny about that? I'm sure she's a delightful person.

Just before they started lining us up for boarding, I got into a conversation with a nice couple from South Attleboro, MA. They were heading to Disney too. They visited the World often and we naturally got on to the subject of saving $$ on trips and flights. And that's when the conversation ended, rather abruptly. The husband was less than happy to learn they'd paid $100 more than I did for the same flight.

Again, I'd be shopping that commercial......

Boarding was smooth and I happily ended up in an aisle seat in the 4th row from the front of the plane on the right side. The middle seat was empty. Sitting in the window seat was a nice gentleman who said 'Good Morning' and then proceeded to sleep for the rest of the flight.

The BEST kind of seatmate!

If you've flown SW you might've encountered some of their singing flight crew. They're a lot of fun and their little songs are hysterical. Before breaking out into song, he announced, "This is a non-smoking flight. There is also no whining, crying or complaining. It's too early."

I am kind of new to SW, but have been very impressed with the flight crews. Haven't come across any singers yet, but I would love to!!

As we were taxi-ing out to the runway, I heard a woman behind me say to the little girl sitting across the aisle from her, "Is this your first trip to Disney?"

The little girl, about 4, said, "Oh no! I've been many, many times!"

The little girl's father laughed and said, "When, in another life?"

In the meantime I called Kat and let her know I'd gotten in ok and what was happening thus far.

And she promptly let us know on the PTR! Thanks Kat!!

Now, let me just say that this was my first ME experience, so I don't know if all the bus drivers are as cool as Bill, but he announced a few minutes before, that we would be passing under the "Disney arches" and to get our cameras ready. He put up his sunshade and slowed the bus down for about 5-10 seconds, allowing for this:

My first ever "Welcome to Disney" sign photo. At least I think it's my first one.​

That is awesome!! Nice job Bill!

I love that you were early! Hope the pixie dust continues.....can't wait to hear more!!!

 

[daisyyy]

Hey... Of course I have to check in... afterall, I made a special guest appearance on that trip.... Oohhh.. now remember to say something nice since you know I'm reading . It's too bad we didn't have a little more time that day.

 

[brookelizabeth]

You have arrived! I'm so glad that by the time you got there you were feeling better and getting excited. I know it's hard to leave your love...it's so bittersweet, isn't it?

Great shot of the arches! How nice that the driver put up the sunshade too.

Brook has arrived. I wish I had gotten your address before I left. I'm sure Mickey would've loved to send Henry a postcard saying how much he missed him already! Next time...oh, SNAP! Next time maybe I can MEET Henry! (And you. And Joe. Of course.)

Woman, you picked some good 2011 trip dates.

That is so sweet about the postcard! I didn't even think about it.... I believe he has one coming in the mail from another DISer soon, so no worries.

I'm pretty fond of those dates as well. I'm looking forward to meeting you and others! Love a DISMeet!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

BF was working during the day and I wanted to make sure I was relaxed and calm and ready to spend a nice evening with him before we were parted for a week.



Ok. That's the last crying fit.

There's no crying in...oh wait, you already beat me to that one.

Does anyone else already feel exhausted by the time they get to the other side of the body scanner? And God forbid you need to get "wanded". You don't even get dinner and a movie first.

I love the guys at the end of the line hustling you away as you try and gather shoes, wallet, keys, hat, sweatshirt, carry-on, etc. before they fall off the edge of the conveyor belt.

And immediately started to cry.

THERE'S NO CRYING IN--sorry, I'll try and stop.

The most amusing scene was a couple sitting diagonally across from me. She was talking animatedly and her lap was covered in printed spreadsheets and a Passporter. I swear the woman was plotting World domination.

Or, just looking to take over the enitre TRI-STATE AREA!

The answer is: Dumbo.

::cue Jeopardy music::

Answer: What is the only ride in the park Walt Disney would not ride?

It all had to do with political party affiliations, etc.

Ah, yes. The highly politicized Dumbo ride. If I had a nickel for every time somebody associated Dumbo with politics... well, I'd have a nickel.

No, not all of the ME drivers are as cool as Bill. Ours kept the sun-shade down.

And I think we need details on how exactly your cats harass your BF!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

::sigh::.....that's so nice to see.....I miss your smiling face these days​

Aw, honeypie. Wish I could give you one of the real ones. Complete with a box of Skittles.

"Dirty Dancing"!!!! Oh, wait, wrong TR.

Do I still get a point for that?!

LOL I can barely keep track of what I had for breakfast. I could never play a game and tally points on my TR.

Good for you for waiting to cry until you got into the airport. The two trips I have taken without Marc, I get weepy while we hug goodbye. I always feel awful about doing it but I do...I can't help it.

I really thought I was ok. Then when I sat down and pulled up a blank text, something about that blank message was taunting me and just brought on the waterworks.

I'm so jealous you got a singing southwest crew, we didn't get one on either of our flights! Boo Hiss. I love when they sing, it makes it such a happy flight!

Sounds like you need to fly out of Providence more often.

And see, I could have so helped you out with that one. I would just require a commission.

Pirate.

Ninja skillz?

Mad ninja skillz, yo.

We could solve that nasty knee problem like I solved my foot problem last night. . .a few berry mojitos and prescription-strength Motrin.

Just sayin'

And on this week's episode of DISers Gone Wild...

Who knows what an overworked, underpaid teacher might do when they reach their point of a nervous breakdown?

Coffee + Bailey's = NOM
Coffee + Bailey's + Students = DISers Gone Wild: The School Years

That sounds all too familiar to me. And if it's anything like Dan and me, she knows he's not listening, but she really doesn't care, becasue something could sink in.

During the planning stages BF soaked in any tidbit related to food. I learned from that. So I started to pepper all necessary trip planning info. I wanted him to retain with something related to food:

"BF, we'll be going to Fantasmic! on Sunday night. The theatre is right near the turkey leg place."

Or even more random:

"Bacon. We will have to ride Spaceship Earth at least twice. Steak."

I figured that upped the retention percentage.

And how could you NOT take a picture for your babnanas?

Because my camera was stowed in my carry-on bag which was under the seat in front of me. I figured taking out my carry-on while he was doing the safety spiel was a no-no.

I hope the packing and purging are going well. You mentioned having boxes that are still unpacked from a few years ago? Well, we have been in our house over 10 years, and I still have several unpacked boxes in the basement! Maybe I should move too?

UGH. My quads, hamstrings and calves HATE ME today. I lost track of how many times I went up and down those three flights.

I just realized that we haven't heard how he did on his test. Not that there is any doubt.....

Well...I could make you wait until Day 3 to find out.

But I won't.

He passed with flying colors.

I will never admit the "knowing someone" part. Ninja skillz all the way! (I know, it's Spiderman not a ninja. It was the best I could do.)

God my smiley skillz rock.

I don't think I knew this! I hope it didn't slow you down!!

It happened not long after our meet.

We are dying to see that movie. If we can ever find the time.....

Do it. It was very, very good.

Especially when you realize you forgot to pack your $18 can of hairspray into your checked luggage and have to watch them throw it in the trash. Not that that has ever happened to me. TWICE.

Should I e-mail you a reminder before your trip?

Mine is a medium tea, black, one sugar.

What's so funny about that? I'm sure she's a delightful person.

I wish there had been a way to discreetly tape the whole scene.

I am kind of new to SW, but have been very impressed with the flight crews. Haven't come across any singers yet, but I would love to!!

I've only encountered them flying out of/to Providence. Don't know why that is.

And she promptly let us know on the PTR! Thanks Kat!!

Kat is modem-less at the moment. But I'm sure she'd say 'You're welcome!'

Hey... Of course I have to check in... afterall, I made a special guest appearance on that trip.... Oohhh.. now remember to say something nice since you know I'm reading . It's too bad we didn't have a little more time that day.

I can't think of a NOT nice thing I could even make up. You guys were just so delightful. I wish we could've spent more time together too.

You have arrived! I'm so glad that by the time you got there you were feeling better and getting excited. I know it's hard to leave your love...it's so bittersweet, isn't it?

It really was. Though after doing nothing but moving carp for the next 4 weekends we may be begging for a vacation from each other!

I'm pretty fond of those dates as well. I'm looking forward to meeting you and others! Love a DISMeet!

There's no crying in...oh wait, you already beat me to that one.

...

THERE'S NO CRYING IN--sorry, I'll try and stop.

I love the guys at the end of the line hustling you away as you try and gather shoes, wallet, keys, hat, sweatshirt, carry-on, etc. before they fall off the edge of the conveyor belt.

I feel bad for the peeps trying to also wrangle their children at the same time.

I also feel blessed to not have any children. So there's that.

Ah, yes. The highly politicized Dumbo ride. If I had a nickel for every time somebody associated Dumbo with politics... well, I'd have a nickel.

If I were a rich man...

No, not all of the ME drivers are as cool as Bill. Ours kept the sun-shade down.

NOT COOL!

And I think we need details on how exactly your cats harass your BF!

Isabel's favorite method of torture is to set up by his head around 3 a.m. and mew softly...Right. In. His. Ear. Then she leaps off the bed while he is mid-swat.

Dory has thrown up in his Croc flip-flops. Twice.

 

[heaven2dc]

As always...the last one here! Hurray - you arrived!! What a fun experience so far

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

As always...the last one here! Hurray - you arrived!! What a fun experience so far

Hi Debbie! I'm sure you won't be the last one. Welcome! I hope you enjoy this little foray.

 

[PrincessV]

Earlier in the week I had somehow tweaked my knee and it was a throbbing, achy mess.

Oh no, no, no!!!

Then, just like Rose, I let go. Only I wasn't holding on to Jack's frigid, lifeless grip. I was holding onto my boarding pass for a 7:00 a.m. flight to Orlando.

72. Hmm. That's kind of warm this early, isn't it?

Um, I was doing the Happy Cold Front Dance this morning because it dropped all the way down to 73 last night.

If you've flown SW you might've encountered some of their singing flight crew.

LOVE the SW singers!

Yay, you've arrived! What's next?

 

[Native NYer]

I'm really enjoying your tr.
Can't wait to read more!

 

[twenty3curls]

I'm in! Looking forward to reading about your solo trip. I've always thought it'd be fun to take a solo trip...doing everything I want on MY schedule!

I just got back last week...it looks like our trips overlapped by a couple of days. I'm always interested to read what other people thought of the same days I was there.

 

[Nermel9]

Hi, I'm joining! I found your PTR maybe a week or so before you went on your trip and read through the whole thing, but figured it was pointless to sub so late, so I'm here now! Love your TR so far, can't wait to read more!

 

[creativeamanda]

Pirate.

Savvy?

Mad ninja skillz, yo.

And on this week's episode of DISers Gone Wild...



Coffee + Bailey's = NOM
Coffee + Bailey's + Students = DISers Gone Wild: The School Years

And this is the best snort laugh I've had for a while!

During the planning stages BF soaked in any tidbit related to food. I learned from that. So I started to pepper all necessary trip planning info. I wanted him to retain with something related to food:

"BF, we'll be going to Fantasmic! on Sunday night. The theatre is right near the turkey leg place."

Or even more random:

"Bacon. We will have to ride Spaceship Earth at least twice. Steak."

I figured that upped the retention percentage.

I should try that. Hmm. . .

Because my camera was stowed in my carry-on bag which was under the seat in front of me. I figured taking out my carry-on while he was doing the safety spiel was a no-no.

Yeah--you are probably right. I just would have loved to have seen him.