We put the FUN in dysFUNctional...UPDATED post #63 our last day!!

[dopeygirl76]

A little background please:
While our family – DH, the girls and I – have taken many (6 so far) to WDW my family has yet to join us. We have taken DH’s parents twice and after our last trip my Dad finally said he would go. So I began to plan and we decided to make the trip to celebrate DSis18’s graduation from High School. We invited everyone – DDad,DStepmom, DSis21 and DSis18, DSis32, DBIL and DNephew as well as DStepmom’s parents- Grandma and Grandpap. The Grandparents said no – Grandpap was fearful of flying with his oxygen. A short time later, DDad said he was talking to my DMom (they have been divorced for 14 yrs)and invited her and DStepdad to go and they said yes!! So now there were 4 rooms – DDad and Stepmom in one, DSis21, DSis18 and DSis18s boyfriend in another, DSis32, DBIL and DNephew adjoining to DH, the girls and I, and DMom and DStepdad. What fun we would have!! Grandpap passed away in October as we were making flight arrangements and after asking Grandma to come she said YES!! So we added a room for her! About that time DStepdad also found out he would not be able to get the time off of work. So finally here we go our Family of 14 to WDW!!!

Who Are You?

I decided to make everyone a t-shirt. Everyone has their favorite Disney character and our Grand Gathering name was easy – how many families are lucky enough to have their parents and step- parents get along – we know we are different – so - - - - - -

We put the FUN in dysfunctional family – was created.

DH – Animal from the Muppets – althoughhe has a few Disney characters he likes Animal has been a staple over the years – a little crazy, really cute and somewhat different.
Me – Dopey – He has been my favorite for as long as I can remember – so he was a natural choice.
DD5 – Snow White –she loves all the princesses and is a fan of all things Disney. She most resembles Snow White and recently portrayed her in one of her performances.
DD3– Ariel – this one is self-explanatory – she has read hair and LOVES Ariel.
DDad – Tow Mater – Larry the Cable Guy is a favorite of Dad’s and Dad is definitely a truck man.
DStepmom – Eeyore – her favorite for as long as I can remember – so another natural choice!
DSis21 – Tinkerbell – Same with her – she loves that little fairy!!
DSis18 – our celebrant – The Chessire Cat – Alice and this cat have been part of DSis’s performances and the topic of many of her drawings. He’s quirky and cute and definitely silly.
DSis Boyfriend – Simba – He chose and while I’m not sure of why he likes Simba – I will give my version – Simba is strong, intelligent and loyal, qualities that he does not know are within him until his family and friends are threatened. He protects what he loves. Can you tell we LOVE this guy like our own????
DGrandma – The Fairy Godmother – she watches over everyone is loving and kind – plus I think Grandma would like to have a magic wand!
DSis32– Belle – this started out as a joke that she said she should be a princess and her DH the Beast – but it was too funny and we kept it.
DBIL – The Beast – see above!!!
DNephew– Lightening McQueen – as a non- Disney boy, CARS was one movie he has seen at our house and who doesn’t love an awesome car!!
DMom – Minnie Mouse – she and DStepdad were going to be Minnie and Mickey – he loves Mickey and will only drink out of his Mickey glass. Minnie is little and petitie like my DMom and definitely a woman with her own mind!

So there we are just the 14 of us!!!

We are one dysfunctional Family !!!!

SOOOOO I will be using everyone’s Disney names for the purpose of this TR to keep my own sanity!!!

Next up: TRAVELING with 14 people - many who haven't been out of SW PA!!!!

 

[nunzia]

Looking forward to this

 

[CocosMeme]

That is quite a group! Can't wait to read the trip report. You are one brave girl!

 

[dopeygirl76]

OK here we go.....

Where to begin?? Well as many of my friends on the SSMC2010 know I had a little planning party about 2 weeks ago because these people have NEVER been to WDW. Eeyore took Tinkerbell when she was about 2 ½ and the Cat was here 2 years ago with her High School band – let’s just say whoever planned that trip knew NOTHING about WDW and the Cat came home thinking WDW was NO FUN!!!!!

In addition we had some issues to address, Lightening, Simba and Tow Mater have never flown and Tow Mater had some medical issues we had to take care of.

I will jump out of TR mode for a minute to give a little background. My DDad was also in the mental health profession working with mentally handicapped persons in a state hospital. He had been injured numerous times over the years, broken bones, knee injuries etc. However in Jan 2007 one of his patients head butted him in a fit of rage in the face right in DDad’s eye. His occipital bone was shattered and due to the extensive eye damage we found out only later that he also suffered a traumatic brain injury. He will have lifelong effects, he has difficulty walking (no balance, poor eyesight) motion makes him sick, can’t always verbalize – you get the drift. So the fact that he WANTED to try was really exciting for all of us but very scary for my DStepmom who cares for him even at the worst times!!

Back to TR-----we had to discuss what we would do to ensure Tow Mater was comfortable. We also discussed money, food etc.

So we are all on ONE flight out of Pittsburgh – so fun!!!!

We had a three car train from our house to the airport. Simba as earlier stated has not been away from home so he was very nervous driving car #2!! We made really good time and gathered our whole clan at the baggage check for Airtran. Tow Mater was doing really well so far. Off to security – no problems here either YES!!!!! Now we get on the tram to the gates……..did I mention motion was a problem for Tow Mater? For those who haven’t been in PIT airport their tram in enclosed sort of like the metro. This was not OK, he was very unsteady and Animal and Simba took over care of him. We stopped in Rite Aid for water and a snack. Then to the gate. The plan ride was totally uneventful and Simba, Tow Mater and Lightening all enjoyed their first plane ride. Off the plane and potty breaks done we now had to get on another tram.

Oh wait – while some of us were potty-ing Minnie and Belle HAD to smoke and jetted ahead of the group with Lightening and Beast in tow – never mind they have NO IDEA what they are doing. So the remaining 10 of us sporting our t-shirts and getting comments all along the way head to ME. When we get there – the defectors are not there – the wonder of cell phones. The answer – we went to side B level 2 like Dopey said!!! REALLY!!!! So again together with me thinking – I can’t do this for a week – this is a BAD idea…….we get in line of ME – we waited longer than we ever have for ME about 25 minutes and it was HOT in that airport – more grumbling…….me – WHY did I do this……and we are on our way to OKW!!!!!

Here we are first stop off the bus HOME!!!! I did online check in for all of us so I went to the online desk and off course seeing that I had five reservations the girl says they can do their own and another CM will check them in ----NO NO NO----do you know how long I took planning this and trying to prevent problems please don’t let them- NO NO NO----Ok Minnie checked in no problem, Fairy Godmother check in 2 down, our room of 7 checked in good – Tow Mater and Eeyore good – wait they are on the second floor – I put in a 1st floor reqest TM needs a scooter and we rented one from scooter rentals– I know request only OK not bad we can park the machine in our 2BDR which is on the 1st Floor – TM says he will be fine – final room – Tinkerbell is handling that one, now Tinkerbell is a problem child – long story not all her fault – but A LOT of it is – they can’t find her name – she is becoming belligerent – just let me do it – no Tinkerbell says. Finally they are checked in – A FIRST FLOOR ROOM!!!!! Are you kidding – so the CM who couldn’t find Tinkerbell – says we can switch the rooms with no problem. OK then…..guess what no problem is FAR from the truth. As I write this 3 days into the trip they still have the wrong name on the reservations more grumbling – Tinkerbell who works at a Hampton Inn back home is the loudest – I know seriously – DO NOT compare MY DVC to THAT!!!!! GO HOME!!!!

Did I mention that I am regretting this now....will it get better or will this be the LAST family trip????

Oh and I am going to add pictures have to get them on photobucket....

 

[MamaCrush]

Can't wait for the next installment. You are one BRAVE woman!

 

[nunzia]

Hang in there

 

[CocosMeme]

Entertainment of the day! Keep it coming.

 

[SunnieRN]

I understand your title! We are a family of 5. Grandma (me), daughter, son in law (who hates disney and has only gone on one trip), 2 grandsons 4 and 2. On our last trip, it was myself, DD, grandsons and my ex husband and his girlfriend. Actually, I love his girlfriend and we became very good friends on the trip.

This trip, it will be the 6 of us, plus the girlfriends son and grandson!

We are going to afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian, just us Grandmas.

Looking forward to more trippie and pictures!!

 

[heathers4um]

I cant wait to read more of your TR...I am going to be buying into OKW and cant wait to hear about it! Hang in there and have fun!

 

[csarenz]

I give you all the credit in the world for taking this on. Just remember that everything you go through with your family, your Disfamily admires you and your planning.

 

[ToddyLu]

I'm in.....and I love the names by the way!

 

[Cyndibear]

I'm in awe of you!!! I though it was bad when we took 4 family members. It will get better!!! Hang in there and have fun. Can't wait for the next installment.

Cyndi

 

[ccigliano]

Wow - you are amazing. I'm not sure I would ever venture out on a vacation with that many family members knowing what could possibly go wrong. Can't wait to see the pics and hear more.

 

[Disney Princess]

I remember when you started planning this trip. I am excited to read the outcome. Hang in there with everything!

 

[dallastxcpa]

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[dopeygirl76]

Hi everyone - thanks for all the positive thoughts - I am chugging along!! I've only wanted to run away a few times so far.

THE WORST THINGS to this point: Minnie is a 3 pack a day smoker and she will wonder off to find a smoking location without telling anyone - plus she has no sense of direction so she can't tell us where to find her!

Next installment coming up!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

OK so we are all checked in and off to our rooms. We are in a 2BDR lockoff with Belle, Beast and Lightening in the studio. We all began to unpack and get our things organized. I had to divide up the groceries and in no time 2 of our 3 checked bags were here. Then it was over to Olivia’s for ressie at 5:15p. This was a first for us and boy were we happy we tried it. The special of the day was buttermilk fried chicken breast w mashed potatoes and greens beans and carrots. Belle, Minnie, Fairy Godmother, Tow Mater, Eeyore and I all had the special. Simba and Cat shared a pasta dish with shrimp, Beast had the same dish with grilled chicken, Snow and Ariel shared pizza kids meal, Lightening had a salad (he is a VERY picky child) and Tink had fries with cheese and a ceaser salad (she is almost as picky as he is and she is an adult. Animal – the carnivour had a the prime rib. Everything was super delicious and the chicken is a special all week – anyone who is here – go try it!!!!

My fam of four, Simba and the Cat headed to MK to see SpectroMagic. Animal, Snow, Simba and the Cat got FPs for BTM. Ariel and I went to get a parade spot after stopping to get a Mickey bar for me and a popcorn for her. The parade was great – we didn’t get back until 10pm and after getting up at 5a, we were all beat.

DAY 2 – EPCOT and BEER????
So Monday we were a little slow moving. We sat and relaxed and this little family of ducks came right up to our balcony. Animal’s favorite spot is on the balcony here is a view!!

We finally got ourselves moving and our fam of 4 headed to EPCOT we started with the gorgeous flowers and headed to Pixie Garden – just amazing is the only word.

IMG]http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy132/dopeygirl76/Apr12035.jpg[/IMG]

We stopped to obtain some secret agent info….that’s code Kim Possible. We took the boat across the lagoon and after we received our mission device we headed to Italy and took in one of the street performances – Sergio the Italian Clown:

He was super great too and the girls got to participate!

We saved the world and then stopped to have our lunch at the American pavilion. I have decided that bringing lunch is a great option for us because we can eat and run, plus I can pack healthier options so we can splurge on MICKEY BARS!!!! After lunch we took in the American Adventure show – a first for us and Snow loved it – even in kindergarten she has a great appreciation for her country and learning! When we exited Eeyore, Tow Mater, Tink and the Godmother texted us they were in Mexico – so off we went to meet them. Simba and the Cat had come over with them but went their own way. Minnie chose to stay at the pool with Belle, Beast and Lightening – who still think that one day in the parks is all they want to do. They still do not understand WDW! We met in Norway and rode Malstrum – not so exciting. Then we explored the flower and garden displays and got a few autographs. I got the girls white canvas hats to have signed this trip.

We decided it was time to head out since Ariel was at her limit of being good. Since we were at the International Gateway we decided to walk to BCV and go to Beaches and Cream. The rest of the crew decided to stay and explore.
ALERT FOOD PORN:

OK bellies full- we go to get on the bus to DTD so we can transfer to OKW – TTHIS IS WHY WE RENT A CAR – but again with 14 people Disney Transportation was the ONLY option.

BCV ARE RENOVATING THEIR BUS STOP!!! Do you know how far we had to walk to get to a bus?? If any of you read my last TR we stayed at the BCV in Dec 09 we had the furtherest room away from anything. The new bus stop is right below the room we had there!!! So returning to OKW was a trip and with 2 little sleepy girls who went OUT as soon as the bus got dark it was no fun!! We threw them into bed – DIRTY!!!! I know horrible but they were so tired.

NEXT UP: You think we can get into Teppen Edo without a ressie 6 months out????

 

[dopeygirl76]

This is Simba, the Cat, Ariel, and Snow at MK.

Piano playing Chipmunks anyone?!?!?

Snow hid in here and of course Ariel followed so of course I HAVE to take a picture.

This is in front of China and made out of corn kernels - so neat!!!!
IMG]http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy132/dopeygirl76/Apr12077.jpg[/IMG]

 

[alldiz]

Loving your TR.....and I absolutely LOVE you using their Disney names.....cracks me up.
Disney with a huge amount of people to herd

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Yea! A new trip report has begun! I agree that i'm in awe that you put this all together! So glad it's going well for the most part. Have a great time there and keep it coming.