MY sister has a son at just about that age (just hit 1 a week ago, in fact), and he's a lot of fun to be around (as long as I have the option of going back to my own place when he gets a bit cranky, that is.) She also has another one that's two now, and he's fun too, although he's starting to get into the Terrible Twos.
As for the leaving bit, I've only been once, but even I have to admit that it's not so easy. I thought I'd be fine with it until Illuminations on the last night, then the Holiday addition at the end put me over the edge (for a minute or two anyway.) Fortunately, I got a bit of unplanned overtime on the trip when I found out at 4am on depature day (20 minutes before my airport shuttle was due to pick me up) that the flight out had been delayed by five hours. I scrambled to rebook to a later flight (got the last seat on a flight which ended up with a standby list 35 people long) and reschedule the shuttle, but once that was taken care of I got a few extra hours to hang out in DTD (and, perhaps more importantly, a few hours of extra sleep, since I find it impossible to sleep on a moving vehicle smaller than a cruise ship) before the shuttle came again for the later flight. I'll have more on that little (mis)adventure in my TR once I get to it, but I've got about 3 1/2 days of Disney to get through before that so it'll probably be a while.
I think that's the first flight delay I was ever actually happy to see (although if I hadn't caught it in time and had to spend the extra time waiting at the airport I might not have cared much for it...)
Ooooh, that is a very nice delay! I certainly wouldn't mind getting stranded at Disney World for a while longer either. As long as it wasn't at MCO!
I'm not looking forward to those Terrible Twos at all!
What a horrific return journey!!! Your luggage being lost would have been the last straw for me -- I get very attached to my stuff and as I was reading your update all I could think was, "Oh, I hope they find their luggage! I bet all their Disney souvenirs are in them!" So, I am really glad that your luggage was found.
Some souvies were in the luggage, others were in our giant carry on bag. It was very frustrating have zero clue when the luggage might arrive or where it was. The only other time I have lost luggage, they knew exactly where it was and it arrived right when they said it would. It's frustrating - I can't imagine for those who loose it while arriving at their vacation destination - both my times, thankfully, have been when going home.
OH Brook!! What a horrible trip home!! And not a great way to end your trip...it's always something though when you travel, I swear! Here's hoping this upcoming Northwest flight is a lot smoother and I think you're very smart packing some snacks!! LOL!!
Have a safe trip and I can't wait to hear all about your next trip! I can't believe it's just about here!! And I would take 60's anyday...since it's 5 degrees here right now!!
Take care!!
The trip home certainly was rough! But memorable!
I had a TON of snacks for the flight down, but on the way back I figured we'd have time during our layover to grab something, and also the Continential served food on their flights - totally didn't expect the craziness we ended up experiencing...we just finished packing for our upcoming trip and I have a LOT of snacks packed and have to keep a mental note to do the same on the trip home.
It's actually been in the 20s here the past few days! It's felt GREAT! It's looking to be pretty cool in FL next week, warming up to the 70s by Friday though!
Oh Brook, what a stressful way to finish your trip! It all came out in the end but when you return to real life, at least it should go smoothly!
It was crazy!!
so glad they found your luggage and so the reason i always put my souveneirs in my carryon . they are the most important thing right?
I agree!
Quite a few of our sovies were in the carry-on, but some were in the luggage. Thankfully they weren't lost forever.
What a stress-filled trip home, Brook! I am glad your luggage was found so you can start to pack again!
And those same bags are filled up again!!
Thanks for your great TR.....I enjoyed reading along!
Thank you! So glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Thanks for sharing, I read your entire terrific TR in the past 2 days! Great pics and Henry is just adorable, enjoy him - time really does go by quickly.
Enjoy your upcoming trip and getting out of the cold. It has been in the single digits here in Maryland, unheard of, but nothing compared to ice inside my house. Looking forward to reading about your upcoming trip!
Thank you! I try to specifically take moments, esp on hard days, and thank God for Henry, knowing that time will just slip right through my fingers.
It's going to be cool still in FL this week (hopefully the forecast will change though!), but still warmer than here! I'm sure it will feel just wonderful to us.
Brooookkeeeeee, how can it be over alreeadddyyyy??? (That's me whining). I'm sooo glad I found your report because I absolutely loved it! You have such a way with words (and your camera) that I felt like I was right there with you every step of the way. Your pictures of Henry walking over the bridge actually brought tears to my eyes, what an amazing moment for you and DH to share with your son in such a magical setting
Sorry about the mess of getting home! UGH, what a PITA! I hate leaving my stuff in the hands of other people, I'm always afraid something will go wrong. Thankfully you at least got your bags back after a few days. I wouldn't worry about flying with Northwest again. I don't know much about the company, but there was probably only an issue because of the changed flights. Hopefully things will run smoothly next time and you'll be able to get to Orlando and back without any delays or missing luggage. THREE DAYS!!!
We still have souvies, coming right up! And no worries - there will be another TR in about two weeks!!!!
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the report. Thank you for such nice compliments!
The trip home was a total pain. I've flown NWA a ton, and only one other time did I have a luggage problem, so generally, they are pretty good with it. (Their customer service isn't always the best, but usually I don't need anything from them.
) I really, really hope things go smoooooooooth this trip! NO lost luggage!
YAY!!! Your luggage is safe and sound! What a relief that was!
We had our luggage delayed from Orlando into Raleigh, NC (we had left the dog with my parents and were going to drive home the next morning). We were so tired, hungry (all of the food court was upstairs after security which we were out of), so we ended up hanging around eating vending machine junk food until the next flight came in and our luggage showed up about 6 hours later! But it showed up so that was good!
I'm so excited for you guys heading down in a few days!!! Take lots of pictures and notes so you can share all!!
Hey, we were at 1 degree this morning! You still have us beat by a long shot! 
That's funny that your luggage showed up while you were still at the airport! That's so great though!! Makes it so, so much easier.
I can't believe we are headed down so soon. This past week went by nice and quick! I'll be sure to take LOTS of pictures - and I have my trip journal packed.
Ugh - what a horrible end to your trip!
At least the luggage is back and you made it home safely. And you're heading out again in 3 days - that's the best!!
I wish you the best of luck with Northwest - and can't wait to read the next trip report!!
Thank you! It was an ordeal - hopefully everything goes much better this time, no delays, no airline changes!
Wow. What an ending. It's one thing for an airline to lose your luggage but to have to deal with rude Customer Service people when you get home is just ridiculous.
I wish you lots of pixie dust with your flights on your trip coming up!
Ya, that Customer Service lady reallllllllly put me over the edge. When she launched into the bit about how
she didn't loose my luggage I had to tune out and breathe deeply. I would SO be fired if I ever treated any of our clients like that!
Thank you for the pixie dust!!
I've really enjoyed your trip report Brooke. Your Henry is such a little sweetie.
Sorry about the luggage problems. I'm glad it was finally resolved. We flew Northwest last May and will again this March. At the end of our trip we had only one suitcase and we were standing around with about 20 other people. They starting handing out forms for us to complete, when a staff person said this can't be happening - let's see what's going on. It turned out that there was a jam in the conveyor and the rest of the luggage was stuck. Whew! We were lucky.
Now, we did have a small complaint about Minneapolis airport while waiting for our connecting flight. It's beautiful, but all the food stands were closing down as we arrived (late in the evening) and we were starving. We managed to get a burger to share. We'd had no food on the plane. I don't understand why the airport can't keep serving food when they know that the airlines aren't providing food anymore. We'll be better prepared this time.
Have a wonderful time on your trip in a few days. We'll be watching for your report. Safe travels!
Nora
Glad to hear you have enjoyed the TR!
That is great that a staff person noticed all the forms being handed out - that would be a LOT of lost luggage!
I really like the Minneapolis airport, lots of food options and lots of shops, but you are right-they do all close, NOTHING is open in the middle of the night really. That's a good point - they really should keep a few things open for those late night flights. Considering it's an international airport, you would think they would.
And then with the airlines not serving food anymore really, makes it really difficult when travelling with children (or even hungry adults!)
I will be sure to post my new TR link here when we get back!
You look very at home here!! Just finished reading your TR...I really enjoyed..I can't wait to read the next one! Have a great trip!
I LOVED the WL Villas. Sooooo cozy and relaxing. I look forward to staying there sometime and cozying up on that chair again.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the TR! Thanks for reading!
2 days! Woo-hoo!!!
I KNOW! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Thank you!!!!!!!!
). After, we decided Henry was just not going to settle down...and....I had to hit the bathroom....
So back up to the room I went, while Joe went to the hot tub. He said he sat Henry on his lap and dangled his legs in. Henry LOVED this. He just relaxed on Joe's lap and people watched. I think he liked the steam rising up from the hot tub - and the air was just too cool to be in the main pool for him.
(feeling better that day, but still not 100% 
