Watching Granny become a little girl again...a mini-family reunion in WDW Oct14-25th

[Chelley00]

I think maybe I'm caught up enough at home and work to try and begin a trip report! If anyone is interested, our pretrip report is linked in my signature below.

This trip was a total surprise for my kids. We planned for 5 months and not once did they even get an inkling they were going to Disney!



First, the cast of characters:


DS 5 1/2, Owen. He's the baby of 4 kids, in kindergarden. This was his 3rd trip to Disney, the first he was not quite 2, the other right before he turned 4. It was interesting to see what his little brain remembered from our last family trip almost exactly 2 years ago. Owen is a huge dinosaur nut, and is really iffy about pictures. Sometimes he'll pose with characters, sometimes not so much. He always says his favorite ride is Splash Mountain, but after this trip, he added a couple to the favorites list.
DS with Mickey at Garden Grill

DD 8 1/2, Riley. Riley is the only girl with 3 brothers, so natually, she's a tomboy! Shes in 3rd grade. We took a mother-daughter trip to Disney last November, so this trip was her 4th. She's a total daredevil, loves animals, loves Rockin Rollercoaster with a passion (ick) and is a big Minnie Mouse fan. Her favorite princess? Mulan, because she gets to dress like a boy and fight with a sword, of course! Her other favorite Disney character: Kim Possible.
DD with Chip at Garden Grill

My mom, Granny 50 something. She's a nurse from a small town, and this was her first actual big vacation. She has a huge fear of heights (like, don't change the lightbulb kinda fear) but she braved a lot more than I thought she would! Watching her on this trip was so much fun. She really became this big kid. She lives about 3 hours from us, so we don't get together as often as we would like.
Granny with Mickey at Garden Grill

Me. 30 something mom of 4. I work part time as an accountant, and full time as a taxi driver for soccer players. This was my fourth trip. My favorite rides are Tower of Terror and Haunted Mansion, and my favorite character is the Evil Queen. What does that say about me that my favorites are haunted and evil I'm the picture taker and the scrapbooker, so there are RARELY any pictures of me on vacation (thank God for Photopass, or people would wonder if I actually ever got to go to Disney!!!)
However, DD did take one of me with my mom on the beach before the fireworks

Also coming along for the ride were my brother, SIL and nephew, who live 1,000 miles away from us They came in for Tae Kwon Do World Championships, and we decided there was no better place to meet up for a mini-family reunion that at the World. While there my nephew turned 3, so we got to celebrate that as well!

I'm not going to post pictures of their faces until I ask SIL for permission. (they are teachers and business owners and I don't want to infringe on their privacy)

So that's us. Next post I'll explain how the trip came to be, the big drama that happened the week before we left, and how we surprised R & O with the trip! I took 1,900 pictures, so there will be plenty to see!

 

[rndmr2]

Looking forward to reading about your trip.

 

[20thingamabobs]

I'm here! I love you TRs. Can't wait to hear all abt your trip!

 

[Disneymoon09]

i'm in!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

I'm in too!!! I so can not wait to hear the kids reaction to the surprise!!!

 

[15isto2]

Got me allong for the trip(report)

 

[disneyloveNY]

You're a great writer. I'm in!

 

[ArthurIhde]

wow that's a great report

 

[Chelley00]

Sorry for the delay. Photobucket was not cooperating in resizing pictures!!!

Looking forward to reading about your trip.

I'm here! I love you TRs. Can't wait to hear all abt your trip!

Thank you!

i'm in!

I'm in too!!! I so can not wait to hear the kids reaction to the surprise!!!

I have the best picture of Owen! Wait until you see!

Got me allong for the trip(report)

:wecome:

You're a great writer. I'm in!

Thank you

wow that's a great report

???

SURPRISE​

We were scheduled to leave on October 14th, and October 9th, DD Riley decided to crack her head open on bleachers at her brother's sectional soccer game, requiring stitched in her forehead, that were to come out on Friday. The day after we left. Thankfully, her pediatrician agreed to look at her and see if they could come out a day early.


On Thursday, October 14th, we all went to work/school as scheduled. I picked up Owen and Riley from school, and took Riley for her suture removal. Thankfully, everything was okay, the stitches came out and we were on our way home. Made the kids do homework while I loaded the suitcases from the garage into the van. Riley saw me carrying her blanket into the garage and freaked out that I was going to throw it away!! DH distracted her with homework and I snuck it out.

Major panic happened when we realized the camcorder battery was dead and we could not find the charger!! Finally DH found it and had it plugged in and charging.

I knew my mom got off work around 2:30 and it was about a 3 hour drive for her to our house. Around 5 I heard Owen say

"Granny! What are you doing here?"

I had no idea she was anywhere close to our house and she had just walked in, so I hurried and grabbed the camera, DH started recording, and DD came in the room to have Granny hand her an envelope that she "found in the door".

Riley opens the envelope, sees Mickey balloons and says "It's Disney". My heart sunk thinking she knew she was going, but there really was no reaction. So, she starts reading

And what she read

Owen's shocked reaction

And now it dawns on Riley

Owen asks "So, when are we going?" and we tell him "put on our shoes, because we leave NOW" He sprinted upstairs to PACK! I'm yelling up the stairs to tell him everything is packed and he just needs shoes.

Yesssssssssss

We load in the van, Owen sees my mom in the passenger seat and says "Are we taking Granny home?" We tell him she's going with us, for the 4th time. For the first 2 hours of the trip, Owen would, out of nowhere, ask "Are you sure we're going to Disney??

We drove for about 5 hours, made it through Nashville, and made our first overnight stop

 

[skier_pete]

Hey ho....thought I would join up since we met on the trip...even though you forgot your LGMH!

Awesome that your mom acted like a kid. My MIL felt the same way after her first trip. WE're taking my mom next year...she doesn't believe it can be all that much fun. (My step-dad so doesn't believe that he won't come.)

 

[Chelley00]

Hey ho....thought I would join up since we met on the trip...even though you forgot your LGMH!

I'm such a bad DISer! Every other trip I've had my LGMH, and this trip I leave it behind and look what happens. Big DISmeet in the dwarf line!


October 15th. On the Road Again. And Again. And Again.

We left Nashville around 8am. And drove and drove and drove.

The kids traveled very well. I had printed off a Disney activity book I found on the disboards and put them in binders. Each kid had their own "bucket-o-fun" Their buckets each had their activity binder, a new game (DS for Riley and Leapster for Owen) and a few movies (all purchased with debit card points) and then coloring/activity/sticker books I had been purchasing from Target dollar spot, Joanns, Dollar Store etc.
Riley busy at work

I had even made my mom a bucket, with her activity book, movies and a Passporter. It's really hard to take a picture while driving and not looking, so here's my my mom working on a page in her activity book.

We had no problems with construction, traffic, weather or anything, and finally, we made it to the first big stop for the day!

We have driven to Florida twice, and have never stopped here! What a nice little resting place. And yes, we did get our free OJ sample!

Finally, I heard Riley squeal "Naggie says Disney World!" (we call the GPS Naggie, short for Naggigator ) and I looked and saw this

and finally this:

And then finally, we arrive at the Poly!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

OMG Chelley!!! I love Owen's reaction!!! Priceless!! I sure hope Devon is that shocked when I tell him in a few weeks!

 

[laashley]

Yay, you've started! Now I am really feeling like a slacker with everyone already starting their tr's. Better get my rear in gear. Great start BTW. Can't wait for more.

 

[Chelley00]

OMG Chelley!!! I love Owen's reaction!!! Priceless!! I sure hope Devon is that shocked when I tell him in a few weeks!

I was a little sad there wasn't the shrieks of joy that all the Disney commercials are showing, but then I had to remember that my kids are always laid back, and I think it was just a total shock to them. Until I saw the video. While I was getting my mom's stuff in the van, Owen was spinning circles on his knees chanting "I'm going to Disney, I'm going to Disney".

Yay, you've started! Now I am really feeling like a slacker with everyone already starting their tr's. Better get my rear in gear. Great start BTW. Can't wait for more.

Yep, your turn!


I've been slacking because I've been sick since the weekend. Not fun considering I had to take oldest DS for senior pictures and then I coached second DS's indoor soccer team after that (and oldest DS played since he was here for that - he lives 3 hours away) all with a 102 temperature. I was already behind at work and missing 2 more days to illness is not helping!

But, that gives me time to update my trip report today, and I added a couple of new posts to the dining report.




October 15th Aloha!

I cannot tell you how absolutely giddy we were to finally have arrived at the Poly. The kids had no idea where they were staying, mom had no idea what to expect, and I was just relieved that I had driven the whole SEVENTEEN HOURS by myself with no incidents. Mom would have gladly driven, but I said I would turn it over if I got tired, and just never did.

A very nice young man, whose name I cannot remember, came over and unloaded our van. Which took approximately FOREVER. I'm a chronic overpacker. I know I pack too much. Plus the kids had all their toys they were trying to rearrange, and we all had pillows and blankets. But I know where I got my chronic overpacking gene.

It's from my mother.

She packed almost as much for one as I did for three.

The luggage cart loaded, I made the best decision of my life. Valet park the van. It was dark, and we were ready to be out of the van, checked in and get in our room. We hadn't stopped for dinner so we were itching to get to Captain Cooks to eat. We hadn't taken showers that morning so we could get to Florida sooner, so we all desperately needed showers. The thought of having to park the van and walk back was just more than I could process, so I handed the guy the keys. It was so well worth the $12 for that night. We picked it up the next morning and then self parked.

Finally, we were in the Poly. We were the only ones checking in, probably because it was after 8pm. I was checking in and I missed everyone getting "lei-d" except Owen. Of course, he was mortified.

I had left room requests up to chance, other than requesting a first floor room (mom no heights, the extra space on the patio for the kids, no elevators and stairs) and we were assigned a room in Aerotorea (which is where our CM checking us in was from!) It took a few minutes because they were checking to make sure our "delivery" was ready. Mom thought he meant groceries, I knew he meant otherwise (sneaky)

We got our paperwork, went to Bell Services for our luggage and our grocery delivery from Garden Grocer, and a nice (albeit kinda creepy) guy offered to take us in the golf cart. He drove us over first, then brought our things later. The kids were most excited about the golf cart ride. I was already stuck in the middle, so Riley took the picture

We got to our room, opened the door and the kids immediately noticed their baskets from MemoriesbyBetsy

Granny was all excited to see she had one too. Owen was very unhappy that I hadn't gotten one, and offered to share his They set about opening their gifts, I helped the luggage guy drag in all of our stuff. This is when I first noticed the odd rumbling sound, and the room shaking.

 

[skier_pete]

VOL-CA-NO!!!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist. It is the Poly after all. You've peaked my curiousity though.

 

[20thingamabobs]

Hm, a rumbling sound and a shaky room? I can't wait to hear what's causing it. We staying at the Poly last April but we were in Rarotonga overlooking the monorail.

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

Great start! I still can't believe that you kept a secret like that for 5 months!

 

[Chelley00]

VOL-CA-NO!!!!!!

I laughed to mom that I didn't know the volcano pool actually erupted :lol:

Hm, a rumbling sound and a shaky room? I can't wait to hear what's causing it. We staying at the Poly last April but we were in Rarotonga overlooking the monorail.

And no rumbling and shaking? Hmmmmm

Great start! I still can't believe that you kept a secret like that for 5 months!

The last week so many people would say things about Florida or WDW, right in front of the kids. I got very good at COUGHING LOUDLY to cover up people about to blow things for me!





When I left off, our room was shaking and rumbling, then it stopped. This is when the bell service guy goes "wow, I never knew the monorail could make that much noise."

Wait. Monorail? I opened up the door, and walked out on the patio and saw the monorail line. I knew Owen would think it totally cool to be that close to the monorail. That's when another one came by, and we were so close that the room literally shook. That was bad enough, but we were also right by the main road that leads out of the Poly and there was so much traffic. I was so disappointed. I almost made a room request, but thought I'd leave it up to chance, and I was just bummed that we had a view of a road.

I took this picture the next morning from the patio. A view of a car on the road. This was early, and not much traffic out.

We decided to go eat at Captain Cooks (review in the dining thread linked below) and then headed back to the room for showers. It was so apparent to me that the monorail room was just not going to work for us. We are all very light sleepers, and even with the fan running, it was so loud, and it was every 5 minutes.

I called Guest Services, and the guy said that they were fully booked that night, and if we could hang out one night, we could change rooms the next day...either to a first floor Fiji or a first floor Raratonga. I said we'd gladly take either since I felt so bad about being a pain, and he said he fully understood, that people normally didn't care for the very end rooms of Aerotorea because of the monorail and road noise. He said if it was him, he'd take Fiji because the view of the marina was nicer than the garden view of Raratonga.

He explained that we'd need to pack up (thankfully we hadn't unpacked yet) call Bell Services who would store our luggage, and restore our groceries for us, and we could check in after 4pm the next day.

We got the kids to bed (Riley in the daybed, Owen in the inflatable twin mattress we had brought with us = LIFESAVER! No sharing of beds!) and everytime the monorail went by, the room would shake and someone would giggle. I was so glad we were leaving the next day.

 

[skier_pete]

Wow, I didn't know the volcano erupted at the pool...i was just making a joke.

But, HOLY COW, I would NOT feel guilty at all for asking to change rooms. At the prices for the Poly to hear the roar of the monorail all night - forget it! I supposed their might be people who live in NYC or other cities that would find that noise comforting, but I would think there would be a lot of complaints over that room. (Don't laugh, I knew people from NYC that had a hard time sleeping WITHOUT background city noise.)

SkierPete

 

[heaven2dc]

Wow - you drove all by yourself!! Plus you kept the trip a surprise?!! Then to end up with rumbly noisy room Your mom definitely was initiated to WDW

Can't wait to see your new room view!