WHAT A DIFFERENCE 6 MOS. MAKES (or how I learned to love MK) COMPLETE-WRAP-UP 12/29

[shan23877]

Hi! Lurker subscribing! I have a four y/o girl, so I'm really interested to see what your little man thought of everything.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Looking forward to reading your TR as I read and enjoyed your last one and all your planning for this trip.

Have you checked out JetBlue out of BDL for Feb...they are great, nonstop, free bag and snacks, TV screen on each seat and you can reserve your seat when you book for free.

 

[PirateKate]

It sounds like Max was at a much easier age this trip. I can't wait to hear how everything went!

 

[tinacaplan]

I wormed my way into your PP pictures. I figure I might as well join you on your trip, too!

Subscribing!



Dee

Thanks, Dee! Glad to have you here!

I was just reading your notes on choosing resorts. It's funny, I thought the same thing. Being from the Pacific NW, I didn't think I'd want to stay at VWL, until we went over to eat at WCC and walked around a little. Now it's on our "must stay" list. What I loved - it felt like a quiet piece of "home" in the middle of the chaos!

Thank you. And I bet it does seem quiet and a little cozy.

Hey! I resemble that remark!



I can't wait to read more And to see Winnie the Pooh (hoping it's on the cruise)

At first I was, like, Cynthia...Winnie...cruise...what the heck is she talking about? Then I put it all together. It would be great to see on your upcoming cruise (which I can't wait to hear all about; that's one that's definitely on our someday list, Mark really wants to see Alaska). The movie is pretty short, though.

Very excited to read your trip report. I lurked on your CSR trip mostly because I saw that you went during february, which is when I will be going this February of 2012! I've just started doing the DIS thing and quickly becoming addicted!! I am an avid planner like you seem to be--Yes, I make spreadsheets --thus, I am enjoying reading your more experienced details as this Feb. 2012 will be only my second time. I always go with my best friend, since I'm not married, don't have kids, and recently graduated college--but, we have a blast!!!

Yay! I love when people stop for a second and introduce themselves. I know it all can seem a little bit overwhelming at times and I often find myself just wanting to read and not comment.. I have to say that I'm totally jealous of your freedom to travel. Not that Disneyworld is the ultimate destination with kids, because it is, but there were times when I would have given almost anything to be on my own, with a good friend.

I for one am happy to read this!


See Tina... your TR is putting my mind at ease more an more.

Its the least I could do!

Hi! Lurker subscribing! I have a four y/o girl, so I'm really interested to see what your little man thought of everything.

Thanks for coming out and saying hello! I really need to do an update... hopefully, over the weekend. It was a great trip in many ways, but frustrating in others.

Looking forward to reading your TR as I read and enjoyed your last one and all your planning for this trip.

Have you checked out JetBlue out of BDL for Feb...they are great, nonstop, free bag and snacks, TV screen on each seat and you can reserve your seat when you book for free.

Thank you! I've looked at JetBlue and, oddly, they're always much more expensive than Southwest. I tend to look at both airlines and compare.

It sounds like Max was at a much easier age this trip. I can't wait to hear how everything went!

Hi! He was...and he wasn't! Certain things went really well and I could see this incredible change, while he was still very much a pre-schooler at other points in the trip. But, definitely, leaving all the baby baggage at home this time was AWESOME.

 

[tinacaplan]

Despite any fears on my part, we did not miss our wake-up time. Mark and I leapt out of bed at three thirty and the three of us were in the car within fifteen minutes; an all-time record.

Here’s Max, in the car. I had to post this picture not because its particularly good, but its so funny! I know he was just super excited, but he looks just a little bit crazy in this picture. Oh, and fear not, I'm not about to win the Britney Spears Bad Mom of the Year (dis)Honor, he was securely fastened into his carseat before the car began to move.

Driving in the car, I tried to take a picture through the windshield. Didn’t quite work out as well as I might have liked...

The drive to the airport took about forty minutes and we parked and took a shuttle to the near-by air port.
Max had no trouble charming the entire shuttle-full of people, as he gleefully announced, “We’re going to Disneyworld!” He rambled on about what we would be doing and told everyone that we were staying at the Beach Club.
Because our airport is relatively small, check-in and security were a breeze. I had originally planned on just stopping at Dunkin Donuts for a quick breakfast, but as soon as Max saw the golden arches, or Mic and Donalds as he calls it, he wanted to stop. Apparently he recalled the positively delicious pancakes he had there in February, as that was the last time he had breakfast at a McDonald’s. I also ordered a hashbrown and a sausage biscuisit, reasoning I’d be better off with something in my stomach. I had a bite of sausage and maybe half a hashbrown, before handing it all over to Mark. Yuck.
I didn’t take any pictures of our delicious breakfast because Max was having his first mini-meltdown of the day. First, when I suggested we go to DD instead of McDonalds, he freaked out. Then, he grew rather impatient with the giant line I had to wait in to get him his pancakes. Oh well.

Here’s Max pushing his own stroller, something else he did a fair amount of on this trip. He’s going right past these cool wall displays that move when you touch them, but it was SO EARLY they actually weren’t turned on yet!

We walked down to the gate and sat for awhile. This time I remembered to chew the Bromine and swallow the Dramamine, rather than chew that, too. Last time, when I chewed the Dramamine, my whole mouth went numb for a few minutes. Scary! The planes occupied Max for a while, but he lamented the lack of a potential playmate, as he had made a fast friend at the airport in February.
Our plane was barely more than half full, so there was no problem with the three of us sitting together. Mark chose the very first set of seats, not realizing this meant sacrificing tray tables. We all slept for awhile and I slept even longer, the Dramamine knocking me out. Max was OK for the most part, but began to get restless during the last hour. We brought my laptop so that he could watch a movie, if necessary, but didn’t think about the headphones we had brought. We brought our usual ear buds, which are much too large for little four year-old years. Oops. We put in Peter Pan, per Max’s request, but the ear bud situation soon frustrated him a bit too much, and he chose to watch nothing and played with a Cars sticker book he had received as a gift for his birthday.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I for one am happy to read this!


See Tina... your TR is putting my mind at ease more an more.

Glad I could help!

At first I was, like, Cynthia...Winnie...cruise...what the heck is she talking about? Then I put it all together. It would be great to see on your upcoming cruise (which I can't wait to hear all about; that's one that's definitely on our someday list, Mark really wants to see Alaska). The movie is pretty short, though.

I was thinking the same thing - Pooh on the cruise? Then I got it!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I see you're off to a bright-eyed, bushy tailed start! Too bad about the ear buds, but it sounds like Max handled it just fine. He is a cutie, BTW.

 

[dizneeat]

Yeah! You are on your way to WDW! (just only in your trip report, but at least we can all relive the adventure. )

Isn't going to WDW the best incentive to get up at 3.30am?

Love the photos of the sweet little Max! I will miss my little friend in a few weeks (and his mom and dad too ).

Sorry about the earplugs but you can see Max is a big boy now, he played with his Cars book instead.

Can't wait to read more!



On a side note? Are you going back to school next week? I cannot believe how FAST time has flown by!

 

[kansasdisneygal]

Yes, I am trying to take advantage of flexibility of my schedule while it lasts! My best friend, Sam, that I mentioned before and I are both teachers---teachers without jobs! --so over this next year we are substituting, which allows for the flexibility!

When do you find that the best rates for airfare are usually available?? Any pattern you have noticed on when prices drop??

I love that you included the crazy picture of Max!! Gave me a good laugh to see how excited he was!!

 

[MEK]

Finally on your way!!!!! Poor Max. He was probably cranky from getting up so early. I hope he enjoyed his McD's pancakes. They actually are quite good.

Looking forward to more!

 

[KatMark]

I knew you wouldn't sleep through the alarm.

McD's or DD's? Actually, I'd choose neither one. I can't stand the smell in DD...I try to hold my breath whenever I go in there to get Mark's coffee) and McD's is just too greasy and their coffee is not very good.

Max was probably just tired and excited and wanted to get the show on the road.

 

[eandesmom]

At first I was, like, Cynthia...Winnie...cruise...what the heck is she talking about? Then I put it all together. It would be great to see on your upcoming cruise (which I can't wait to hear all about; that's one that's definitely on our someday list, Mark really wants to see Alaska). The movie is pretty short, though.

Actually I was talking about your bazillion pictures comment

3:30????? UGH. I just can't do that anymore, I wouldn't have even been able to sleep at all.

 

[annmarieda]

Great start!! I can't believe how early you got up.

 

[natebenma]

Yay, you are on your way!

Small airports are great, aren't they! I love when we can fly out of Manchester NH instead of Logan.

Sorry to hear about the breakfast meltdown. That actually sounds like a yummy breakfast selection- the meltdown. Travel days are hard. I hope the excitement of the day helps to improve everyone's moods.

 

[Sherrkel]

I'm impressed you were up and out the door in 15 minutes - WOW!
I still can't decide when the best time is to fly for vacation: early in the morning, or later in the afternoon. With morning flights; I never sleep for fear I won't wake up in time. For the afternoon flights; I still seem to get up early, then it just seems to take forever until we leave for the airport!

 

[tinacaplan]

I see you're off to a bright-eyed, bushy tailed start! Too bad about the ear buds, but it sounds like Max handled it just fine. He is a cutie, BTW.

Thanks...we think he's pretty adorable!

Yeah! You are on your way to WDW! (just only in your trip report, but at least we can all relive the adventure. )

Isn't going to WDW the best incentive to get up at 3.30am?

Love the photos of the sweet little Max! I will miss my little friend in a few weeks (and his mom and dad too ).

Sorry about the earplugs but you can see Max is a big boy now, he played with his Cars book instead.

Can't wait to read more!



On a side note? Are you going back to school next week? I cannot believe how FAST time has flown by!

Yup...I'm back full-time on Monday. YIKES! Just in time for the month when I wish I had been able to go on vacation. Traditionally, we'd always gone away in August. Oh...well.

I wish Max had acted a bit more grown-up at some other points during the trip...

Yes, I am trying to take advantage of flexibility of my schedule while it lasts! My best friend, Sam, that I mentioned before and I are both teachers---teachers without jobs! --so over this next year we are substituting, which allows for the flexibility!

When do you find that the best rates for airfare are usually available?? Any pattern you have noticed on when prices drop??

I love that you included the crazy picture of Max!! Gave me a good laugh to see how excited he was!!

Oooh...sorry you haven't found jobs yet. The job market in general is tough, but its been really tough for new teachers. Although, flexibility is always a good thing. I subbed for a year while getting my master's and I really enjoyed it.

I have no idea about when/how to find the best airfare. I booked about four months out for this trip and was able to use Southwest's low fare calendar, because it was the summer, and I could travel any day of the week, so that helped. I do know that if you see a fare you think is reasonable, jump on it!

Finally on your way!!!!! Poor Max. He was probably cranky from getting up so early. I hope he enjoyed his McD's pancakes. They actually are quite good.

Looking forward to more!

Yes, he did. And you're right...they're not that bad!

Actually I was talking about your bazillion pictures comment

3:30????? UGH. I just can't do that anymore, I wouldn't have even been able to sleep at all.

Got it! As for 3:30, we just went to sleep very early. I believe I was asleep before everyone else that night. I get very sleepy around seven-ish, usually, and I can either go to sleep for the night or wait and get my second wind and be up all night.

Yay, you are on your way!

Small airports are great, aren't they! I love when we can fly out of Manchester NH instead of Logan.

Sorry to hear about the breakfast meltdown. That actually sounds like a yummy breakfast selection- the meltdown. Travel days are hard. I hope the excitement of the day helps to improve everyone's moods.

Yes, small airports are the best.

And you're right the meltdown DOES sound like some sort of delish breakfast concoction. Maybe that's an idea you should run with?

I'm impressed you were up and out the door in 15 minutes - WOW!
I still can't decide when the best time is to fly for vacation: early in the morning, or later in the afternoon. With morning flights; I never sleep for fear I won't wake up in time. For the afternoon flights; I still seem to get up early, then it just seems to take forever until we leave for the airport!

We can be super quick, when need be. But we had everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, set the night before so there was very little to do once we rolled out of bed, save for throwing some (pre-arranged) clothes on.

How long is your flight to MCO? We're under three hours, so going early makes a ton of sense; we get a full day in Florida (more or less) that way.

 

[MickeyNicki]

When we drive up to WDW in the early am Todd has to get both...Dunkin Donuts coffee and a donut and breakfast sandwiches from McDonalds...I just get an ice tea and stare in horror as he woofs down 1500 calories

 

[tinacaplan]

When we drive up to WDW in the early am Todd has to get both...Dunkin Donuts coffee and a donut and breakfast sandwiches from McDonalds...I just get an ice tea and stare in horror as he woofs down 1500 calories

Wow! That's a lot...but its gotta be fun watching him.

 

[tinacaplan]

Before we knew it, we were descending and I laid my eyes on my first palm trees. One of the first things to greet us after our ride on the mini-monorail was a Starbucks, where we smartly stopped for some caffeinated fortification, possibly the last good coffee we’d drink for a week. I spied an electronics kiosk next store, where I bought “headphones for kids.” Yay!
We quickly made our way to a practically empty Magical Express queue and were swept onto a DME bus.

It was a real Mickey bus!

It amazes me the way the video starts at just the right point to conclude just as you enter Disney property. And I have to admit that the new video, which starts out with footage of real families telling their kids they’re going to Disneyworld, chokes me up just a bit. OK, it chokes me up a LOT.

We were seated toward the back of the bus, so I knew that with my limited camera skills, there would be no momentous shot of the sign. Sigh. I was right:

While we were on the bus, Max wanted to know who else would be joining us this week.
“Who’s meeting us here? Is Grammy meeting us here? What about Meghan? Is she?”
“No Max, I think Meghan has to work… “
“But she’s my girlfriend!” Ha. Meghan and I taught together for a year before she moved to NYC to become a big-time PR whiz. OK, she’s not that big time, but still... She’s young and lovely and Max just adores her. When we visited her earlier this summer, Max decided that Meghan was his “girlfriend,” and he refers to as such quite often. Its so super cute!

Unlike our previous trips to CSR, the Beach Club was the last stop on the loop, but I did take some pictures of both the Caribbean and Pop, neither of which I’d ever seen before. Pop really does look cool, with the over-the-top themeing, but I couldn’t wait to get to our new home for the week.

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[MAGICFOR2]

Nice you could stop for that last cup of "real" coffee!

Yay for being "almost home."