Trip Commando Anonymous – A 7 Step Plan w/Pics (The End)

[Minnie]

Now is one of those times where I really wonder just what I was thinking….. ever have those moment?????? Well instead of hitting one of the great places to eat on the Boardwalk or in the BC or YC we ended up at the Marketplace in the BC. This is where we met the “surliest” CM ever on Disney property…..

I can’t even remember what we ordered at this point. Only remember that it wasn’t too great and that we planned to grab pastries to bring back to the room from France that evening…. What I do remember is the CM at the cash register. This one should have worked at Universal as she was about as unDisney as one could get. She was standing near one cash register so we took our meal to her. She totally ignored us until mom asked her if she would ring us up. Her response – “if you’d go the right one I would.” What which one? It happened to be the one on the other side of where she was standing? Huhhhh okay whatever. Her rude behavior continued and really put a damper on our evening “meal.” All I can say is NEVER again!

Have to leave her gentle reader. I will be back next time with "a son and mom does EMH Epicot".

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Really enjoying your report so far!

Can't wait to see the picture of the tiny BC balcony! What's the point of building one if you can't even fit a chair on it? Crazy!

I would have been *furious* with how Thrifty handled the car incident! Karma, I guess, that now thousands of people can read about their awful service here on the boards!

I see that you had the WL Brownies from Roaring Forks! Aren't those the best EVER? I am a WL Brownie addict! I'd hate to calculate just how many I've eaten over the years!

 

[sheridac]

This is the best thing about vacationing with my mom. While my teenage years were difficult as an adult I have come to value my mom like no other – she is not only my mother but my best friend. I value these trips, pictures, and memories

Minne~

That's so sweet!! And what a gift!!!!

 

[Minnie]

Crystal – Hmmm I’ll see if I can find a pic of that balcony. I couldn’t believe the size, just barely enough to stand on – what’s the point?? And paying that kind of $$$????

Awwww thanks Sher! I was talking with my mom last night about our next trip which is now 24 days away WOOO HOOOTY!!!!! So thankful that she is a Disney nut too!!!!!

On with the show or report so to speak….

This evening was set up just for my son (A) and I. It was just the two of us in his favorite park of all time and with EMH to boot. Let me tell you gentle reader it just doesn’t get any better than this. A is 12 though quite young for his age and still has that child like love of all things WDW. The problems that we face at home seemed to melt away that evening and this trip commando actually handed over the spreadsheet to her son and let him lead the way. As I look back now this is one of my favorite moments of the trip and I need to remember to let go of that spreadsheet more often

We walked our whole 5 minutes to the IG entrance of Epcot and as the line was short grabbed our EMH wristbands.

Mini CM rant here: Now wouldn’t u think that the CMs doing the wristbands would know what was open and what was closed Well these two couldn’t have bought a clue if I’d provided the moolaa and walked them into the store. Had no clue about anything basically so A and I decided just to wonder towards Future World.

As we were walking towards Future World we happened to see Brother Bear come out of the Canada area with his handler. We ended up being first in line and I got some great photos of A with BB. We then had another great photo op on the way over as the monorail was just getting ready to go by. I ended up with a great photo of A with the monorail coming up just behind him. If I knew how to photoshop I’d post that picture as it is awesome

First on A’s list was the Living Seas. He has the memory of an elephant when he so chooses and remembered my promise earlier in the week to “spend as much time as he wanted” in the aquarium. I did suggest a check detour over into the Land to see what the line was like for Soaring and since that is another love of his he was up for that. Unfortunately the line was over 90 minutes and all the fast passes were long gone. Oh well we had ridden this earlier in the week and would put it on our spreadsheet for the next trip (hey I said I was learning to reform not that I was)!

So now was the time where I had to pay the piper or A as it were. I will admit that I did enjoy seeing the dolphins put on a special expo it seemed just for us as they played freely under the low lights. We considered seeing “Crush” but the line was long and A had sharks to find so he was all set. Here gentle reader is where A’s age came in handy. I was able to take a rest in the aquarium area and just let him roam. Of course I got pulled up several times to see (x, y, and z) let alone (a, b, c) but it wasn’t all that bad and A was over the moon.

Eventually I persuaded him to move on and we headed over to Test Track where fast passes were still available. We each grabbed one and then since the single rider line showed only 5 minutes we jumped in line. I made sure A was aware that we would be split up into different cars and that he would ride with strangers. Now this is where another child may have not cared for this scenario but A is a different from most. You see A doesn’t know a stranger. He’s been like this from the cradle and though if I’d have a penny for every time we’ve had the stranger talk I’d be able to live at the Grand Floridian he still doesn’t agree with the concept. Strangers are simply people he hasn’t talked to yet so the idea of riding with strangers suited him just fine. He ended up being one car in front of me with newbies to TT. He was in his element and loved every minute

Since we still had time before our FP were valid I gave into A and went over to MS. Now I’d planned on just waiting for him in the dump shop but got persuaded to take a ride to the moon in the “wimp” version as he calls it. I managed but it will never ever ever be a ride I would go on for anyone else!

By now our FP were valid so we hopped over to TT again to use them. We were this time able to sit in the same car and I enjoyed it much better though I’m not so sure about A

Illuminations was now nearly ending and EMH hours was close to beginning so I suggested that we see if the Art store was still open to buy A’s grandma a couple prints that she’d had her eye on during the trip. Unfortunately when we got there the store was closed as was many other restaurants and shops during EMH hours.

We then decided to recheck the line over at the Land for Soaring. That sucker even during EMH that evening was still over 60 minutes so we decided that it wasn’t worth the wait and headed back out.

We wondered around Future World and into a few other rides before deciding that our feet had simply had enough. The crowds seemed worse than on a regular day and we had one full day left with EMH hours at MK to go the next evening so we gave up the fight.

A and I skipped (yes we really did) over to France where I missed out on an opportunity. There was a frozen adult drink stand with my name written all over it and I decided to wait until we got our pastries before getting one for that long 5 minute walk back to our room.

Now I wasn’t sure if they pastry shop was going to be open or not during EMH hours. Remember the wristband CMs – yep another question that neither of them had a clue on. PD occurred though and the shop was open. I picked about a $20 bill worth of pastries including the chocolate chip cookie that A had to have even though we still had a package of them in the room from our Hell-Mart experience.

We wondered back out of France – wishing all the way that there was a bridge over to the IG instead of the stupid walk way and past the closed adult drink cart and took the hike back to the BC.

I shushed A when we got to the room assuming mom would be out. We were surprised to find that she was wide awake though. I quickly had A hop in the shower and then off to the wonderful thing that is the daybed. Mom and I settled down with our books and eventually off to sleep.

I have to admit I sit here now typing this and can still see A and I skipping through Epcot, him hugging Brother Bear, and taking his first ride by himself on TT. Memories, oh those memories……

Next up – Last full day at Disney, Pooh pixie dust, and Castle tears……

 

[scrap4u]

Hi Minnie. Great additions to your report! I had to get caught up because we were in DW all last week. Just got back on Saturday night. Attended our very first MNSSHP and it was lots of fun! Even in the rain.

Can't wait to read the rest of this report and your next report for your upcoming trip. I'm sure it will be terrific!

 

[Minnie]

scrap4u - Oh I'm so sorry it rained on your MNSSHP but I'm glad u had fun anyway! I can't wait for our 1st MNSSHP only a week away now - woo hoo!

Oh gentle reader I would be remiss if I didn’t tender my abject apologies for taking so long to write and post this next installment

Let me take you back to the day we all have come to dread…….. our last full day at Disney. The last full day always brings a trickle of fear and dread into this commando. Only one full day left to experience it all as our last morning is just that a morning before check out – yuck

First up on our last full day was shopping at DTD. As we knew we wanted to avoid the crowded evening at DTD this was the only time that really worked. Before we headed out though – remember that box of pastries – yep I admit it made one heck of a yummy breakfast

Since we knew we’d be loaded down and bus to DTD is well about as much fun as an appointment with your dentist we gave valet a jingle and took the convertible for another spin. Now we’ve oh so lucked into an awesome parking spot and headed out. First stop was to the Lego store as DS had money still burning in his pocket. Now here I made my mother just thrilled at me as I steared my son’s choice away from something he had picked out. I knew he could get those at home and on sale so I wanted him to get something else. He ended up loving what he got by the way but I have to admit now just a small part of me wishes that I’d just given him the $$ and let him make his own choices. Sometimes it’s so hard to let go……

Next up was the store that brings nightmares to my family members and jewels of Mickey’s dance in my eyes – World of Disney and I had an AP discount. Woo Hooty! Time to spend some dough!

We next wondered over to Artisans were most of my Disney souvie money was blowed (at an AP discount too mind you). I have a collection of Disney crystals and I added to them that day. As my mom’s birthday was just around the corner I found 2 more awesome Mickey/Minnie bells to add to her collection here too.

My mom found an awesome Tommy Bahama purse and we wondered through a few other stores before deciding to head over to the RK for lunch. Now I know the RK gets a lot of negative reviews here on the Dis but it is one of our faves and we had another enjoyable lunch (see my dining review here).

As we left and headed back out to our great parking spot and the way over heated black convertible I was shocked at the time blown in DTD. I love shopping but still felt like I’d lost something important that day and it wasn’t money….

Oh well it was time to head back for our last afternoon at the SAB. My son joined in on the volleyball game going on in the middle of the pool so mom and I took the moment to enjoy our books and I headed over for what I wished I’d found earlier in the week – the frozen drink stand – omg these were fab! I even loved the glass these came in though I admit the price was a touch steep. Oh well gotta love alcohol and ice cream – yummmm. Oh and it didn’t hurt that the cutie at the stand asked if I was old enough to order that drink. Major pixie dust there as I’m a decade past now being old enough to purchase that drink!

All too soon our time was up once again and it was time to get ready for our EMH evening at the MK where I was determined to at last watch Wishes from the park something that had escaped me all week…..

Up next – What do you mean we can’t eat with Pooh????? And a moment I wish I could get back………..

 

[scrap4u]

Another good day! Thanks for updating us. I was afraid you forgot about us, your loyal readers!

 

[Minnie]

Another good day! Thanks for updating us. I was afraid you forgot about us, your loyal readers!

Life just got in the way for awhile as it tends to do I do want to have this finished though before we leave for our trip back to the "world" on Thursday Thanks again for reading and posting

 

[Minnie]

This was the night that I’d been waiting for ever since our disastrous EMH evening at the MK earlier in the week when we’d ended up in the sick unit at MK with DS.

I have to admit that MK has a hold on me. It’s my favorite park by far though probably the least favorite of the rest of my family. There is just something about it that compels me to return. Unfortunately this trip it was also the bane of my trip, the stitch in the side, the Eleanor of cars, you get the idea. Every trip either a melt down or an illness, or something occurred. So even though I’d been waiting all week for this inside I was also just slightly nervous of what else could happen……

Well first off we’d made a rookie mistake. Since we’d had issues earlier in the week my spreadsheet was off and I didn’t have ADRs for later in the trip and let me give you one real important piece of advice - DO NOT try to eat at the MK on an EMH night without an ADR unless Casey’s is your idea of fine dining – and if you are not only a gentle reader but also an observant reader you will recall our fateful evening at Casey’s….

Anyways mom saw that nasty sign once again at the beginning of Main Street – no walkups anywhere – or nananana booooo boooooo its Casey’s for you. I though was not letting a little ole sign stand between my family and a decent meal and since I have a tendency to be a weee bit one track minded at times I decide we WERE eating at the Crystal Palace.

So we dogged and darted through the cords set up to contain the Spectro parade crowds all the way over the CP. When we first walked up I had inkling that – Mission Control we have a problem…. As the CM kept turning away walkups with out a glimpse of a smile or hope. You could just about see the glee in her eyes as she pointed them on their way to Casey’s ((insert evil cackle)

Well not to be deterred we decided to sit on the CP porch and wait out the start of the Spectro Parade as there was a chance after the start that we ((might)) get in. I have to admit I waited until the old nasty gram herself was inside and walked up to the line at the window where families upon family were being turned away. No ADR no dinner with Pooh period. About this point son was complaining to grandma that he was soooo hungry now knowing her daughter very well mom told him not to worry that we’d be going in soon. How right she was . When the nicest CM told me nothing was available – I sweetly asked are you absolutely sure you couldn’t fit in the 3 of us? It is our last night and my son so wants to eat with Pooh ((begging smilie)). Tappity tap tap and all of a sudden he was asking about food allergies then saying – come with me! We waltzed right in past the nasty gram guard posted at the front door and had an awesome meal with Pooh and friends. A major pixie dust moment!

We were still eating when Wishes started so I walked outside to watch it. Mom and my son decided to stay in but this was a not miss to me. Well apparently during this time I was so busy recording that I missed my son step out on the porch with me. I so wish now that I hadn’t been so busy to miss this important chance to hang on to my son’s childhood just a moment longer but alas it was not to be….

I went back in and finished dinner and I have to admit this is the one character meal where the interaction is just the best anywhere. It was soooo worth the $30 a plate meal just for the interaction. Eyeore came by several times and ended up sitting with my mom on the bench and laying his head on her shoulder until a handler dragged him off – if I knew she wouldn’t kill me I’d post the pic – but then her daughter knows her very well and since I want to remain in the living I will hold back

The pixie dust of this meal wasn’t over yet though as the characters was taking a group picture with a family with CP shirts on when we were on our way out. My son asked me if he could get a photo too and I said I didn’t know – well Tigger waived him in and we got an awesome group photo. I don’t think the CM handler was happy about it and I’m pretty sure Tigger got a talking too but it was so awesome and we thanked them profusely. I don’t think they realized it but it was just a moment that cemented why we love WDW. The characters didn’t have to interact with us they way they did or make my son’s day by allowing that quick not supposed to have photo but they did.

Now it was getting very late at this point and my mom was tired. She had said earlier she had no intention of going on anymore rides. However her grandson had a different idea and asked again to ride the Jungle Cruise that we’d missed earlier. We decided to have a quick look at the line and since it was basically nonexistent we hopped in and had the ride of our life! Our skipper’s name was Jungle Jim and he was the best ever! He didn’t just read the script – he was the script and more. This really well lame ride was actually one of the best ever all because this CM cared enough to really entertain us.

Since this ride was so awesome and it was late we decided to go out of MK on a high note. We did detour through the shops on Main Street were we added more souvies to our total. The Wishes CD by the way is amazing!

As we walked out I knew that this was the night that made up for the others. The night where Wishes did really come true. The CMs were all wonderful – well except for old nasty gram at CP – and it restored my faith in the pixie dust that can happen at MK if you are open to it. It’s not all the rides and doing all you can – it’s about holding on to my almost teenage son’s childhood a moment longer, listening to my mom laugh at the corny jokes of the CM skipper, and feeling the sense of everything being ok and right in the world if only for a short time.

Right before we exited the MK I took just a moment and stood in front of the train station and soaked in the castle changing colors. I’ll admit to being just a little bit more than sad not knowing when the next time we’d be back to experience the magic.

We ended up taking the bus back to the BC ((not so magical but then none of the BC busses are the greatest – it’s like since you can walk to Epcot and ride a boat to MGM you get crappy transpo to the others). Oh well we eventually made it back and after quick showers around for all sent DS off the day bed for one last night of peaceful Disney dreams.

Up next: The quickest morning ever. And OMG we aren’t going to make the plane.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Minnie,
so happy you posted again. You might just finish before you leave again!

(Wait, is this a pattern from some people I know?)

Great report, thanks!

 

[Minnie]

Minnie,
so happy you posted again. You might just finish before you leave again!

(Wait, is this a pattern from some people I know?)

Great report, thanks!

Marita - have you seen my post on M2 about December??

It's definitely been a fun in the Florida year! Now if DF would only agree to move down there

 

[Minnie]

Now if you don’t already dread the morning of the day before the last day – well you can imagine what I was feeling that last morning and it wasn’t helped a lick by those mousekeepers that kept knocking on the darn door. What is up with that anyways???????? We had no wakeup call scheduled, had the room until 11am check out time and they were knocking on the darn door at 7am. I wasn’t the least bit happy with them and became increasingly unhappy as they continued to knock on the door 3 more times within the next hour!!!!!!!!! What is up with that crap!!!! Eventually they got my mom and she told me them not to come back till after 11am because we would be using the room until official check out time. This seemed to work though they weren’t the least bit magical about it. As a tip on that last morning should you want to get any sleep – place your do not disturb sign on the door! Otherwise those mousekeepers that can’t find a way to tidy up before 4pm during the week will be ready to pounce at 7am that last morning.

Since we were up thanks to the mousekeepers we grabbed quick showers and then packed all the remaining stuff that we had accumulated during the week. I had sent much of the purchases back to the resort and left them with the BC Mercantile till the night before as much of it was for DS’s birthday the next month so I was shocked at just how much stuff there was to try to pack. Finally by using the sit and zip technique we managed to get all the suitcases closed

We left out our swim wear though and just used up the last of the cheese and crackers as a quick breakfast so that we could hurry on down to the pool area. Our plane didn’t leave until 4pm and we wanted to use all those precious last few moments as possible. We ended up taking the noodles down for one more trip around the lazy river and then gave them to a family with two children that had just arrived for their week in the magic. It was nice to pass it on if it was just those noodles.

DS and I made a couple last trips down the pirate ship slide and snapped a few last minute pictures and then it was time to head back to the room. We wanted showers and lunch at Beaches and Crème before we left.

We did have one detail to attend to though before we headed off to lunch. We had been told all week that our DDE card entitled us to free valet parking. However we when got the bill we were charged several times for this. The CM at the desk was clueless about this and tried to say we were in the wrong. We insisted that we were right so the manager came out to discuss this with us. We told him the valet told us this was a perk of the DDE card. He eventually called out to the valet staff and was informed that yes this was correct that it should be free. The manager said it was news to him but eventually made a couple more calls and determined that yes the DDE card was the only one that did give this perk. It took the CM a bit but eventually she got this credited to our account.

During this time we decided to check our luggage with bell services and left everything except my laptop and went off to Beaches and Crème. There was a bit of a line so we were concerned if we had time to do this. Since DS still had game credits on his arcade card that grandma had given him earlier he was thrilled to hurry in and use it. We were once again sprinkled with pixie dust when we were taken in early once we told them we had a plane to catch. We ordered and then drug DS out of the arcade when his food came. It was wonderful as always and I highly recommend B&C for a casual lunch.

We had just a few minutes left so we went into the BC Mercantile to purchase last minute BC souvies. Mom got a really cool jacket and I ended up with a long sleeve shirt. I will say that this is one area the BC needs to change. Definitely not enough choices in this store as far as BC souvies!

We had called for our car earlier so it was waiting for us. We tried fitting it all in the trunk but it just wouldn’t go this time. Those Sebring’s have the tiniest trunks for such a large car. We ended up strapping some of the luggage in the back seat with DS and were off to the airport.

This time thankfully we didn’t get lost on our way to the rental car return as we did last July. Though we had such a time at the gas station (definitely not Disney that attendant was just nasty and rude!) that we ended up barely making it the rental car return on time and into the bus to leave Thrifty (or Hertz – not exactly as it should be named).

On this bus we met folks that I’m sure you’ve all met before. The loud mouth dad that berates his wife, kids, and everything while yapping on the cell phone all at the same time. A nice gentleman beside me noticed that we were looking at our watches and seemed nervous and said when we get there we’ll let you and your luggage off first (what a doll) but of course the loud mouth was having none of that and literally shoved us out of the way to get off the plane landing exactly 1 family ahead of us in the curb side check line – hope it was worth it to you buddy!

Though as the Wishes song says “fate steps in and helps you along” and this guy was about to get helped all right……

As we were standing in the horribly long Air Tran curbside check in an employee came along and was checking that everyone had their passes. We told him we were worried about making it on time as with the line we were sure to miss our flight. How in the “world” we cut it this close for the 2nd year in a row I will never know. This guy took pity on us and took our passes and IDs up to the front of the line and within just a couple minutes was back with our luggage tags and whisking us to the security line (now that’s a Fast Pass!) During this time the loud mouth was going off at this guy want to “use him too” and he asked when his flight was – 3 hours later – and said that he had plenty of time to wait in line – hahahahahahahahaha – yep fate can be a wonderful thing!

Up next: The end. Epilogue. Pre-Trip for the next trip!

 

[Minnie]

As our next trip is now only days away I wanted to complete this trip report so here it is:

Our trip home was uneventful the rest of the way. Thanks to the pixie dust from the AirTran employee we made it through security and to our gate with plenty of time to spare after a quick stop to grab the newest hardcover from my favorite author for the trip home. We spent the two hour drive home from the airport talking about all the things that went right and already started planning on when in the “world” we could go back to our happiest place on Earth

What has this self proclaimed over-planning trip commando learned:

That WDW really isn’t about the rides, shows, and fireworks its about simply spending time with the ones I love the most away from the worries and stress that plague us back in our real lives.

Skipping through Epcot late at night with my son is better than any trip on Test Track . That my mom is a wonder woman for putting up with my commando trips for so long

Pixie Dust is waiting around every corner if you are only willing to take your eyes off the spreadsheet long enough to notice it

 

[HMHunters]

Skipping through Epcot late at night with my son is better than any trip on Test Track .

So sweet! My DS reminded me just 2 days ago that we always skip at WDW. He would NEVER skip with me here!

Great trippie! Will the next one be by a "reformed commando"?