WHirlwind Trippers Strike Again - Anniversary Trip w/LOTS o Surprises! REAL END PG 5!

[sheridac]

Mark~

Did you not get to Epicot??? To Canada???

 

[NAB]

Mark, Rhonda and Wesley...I enjoyed reading your Trip report.

 

[AshClan]

I am glad you finished your report. Always love to hear about da Rev and his family's trips. Thanks for sharing!

 

[horsegirl]

Dearest Mark

Your final installment was not up to your earlier vibrant and exuberant chapters, but I applaud you're finishing it. One of the things I loved about your trip was the fun and excitement I got reading it. I could see the glimmer in your eyes...

I hope you get inspired again, and I will look for your trippie over there, you know that other place.

LYMI, and .......Blessings!

 

[kayeandjim00]

I like your "old" style reports better but we all know why it has to be this way - it's a shame really as the trip reports like yours really are what make the magic happen for those of us not there right now. Oh well don't want to get too off topic so great trip report except for that last part

 

[Chapter 11]

Wonderful trip report Mark, especially that last installment. Thanks again for posting your report -- just adding my encouragement.

 

[lillygator]

Krystalman...........
does this mean no more TR's?

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Krystalman...........
does this mean no more TR's?

I'm not sure my likeable, but confused friend from Gainesville. I will have to give much thought to it.

I can say this, there definitely won't be one for a while cause we're not going back to Disney until the Maelstrom meet in October.

So we'll see my leathery skinned crocidile fan. I won't know until after October. But thanks for reading. Come find us on the CB! We miss seeing you around - and especially in a couple of months when football season starts - I must pick on you about your loyalty!

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[2xcited2slp]

Thanks MM for finishing your trip report, although I must agree that the last installment lacked the usual "oomph", but what must be will be, I suppose. Sad around these parts lately. Kind of takes the fun out of reading TR's. Thanks for your time and hope all is well with your family. Cheers.

 

[aGoofyMom]

I agree with the lack of oomph - I felt a pang of disappointment reading the last installment. I was so looking forward to reading your report and the surprises. I am glad you finished even though it is very obvious that your heart wasnt' in it. I hope to read a report after the fall then...

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Glad to read your last part Mark. You have a wonderful family. I will be following you to the CB board too. It's sad that it has to be this way here on the TR board. That we can't say anything that's "not on topic". Oh well. You and your family take care. We have enjoyed reading yours and Rhonda's trip reports just the way they are.

 

[nataliz]

Thank you for sharing your trip and your family with us.

I appreciate all the time that you put into your trip report to help us all go to Disney with you.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Alrighty folks, buckle in and grab some popcorn. The real last day report of our Anniversary Trip to the Happiest Place on Earth is about to begin.

There is nothing like being sick at Disney World. Please forgive me whilst I take a tiny little jaunt to a trip a few years ago - our second anniversay trip. Remember - this current trip is our 8th. On our second anniversary, Rhonda and I went to the world, stayed at the Contemporary – this was in '99. We had been there for about a day and a half, when Rhonda started feeling rotten. I can remember we were sitting under the covered area at the electric umbrella with her crying, because her throat was hurting and she was so sad she was going to ruin our trip. I kept trying to tell her that she was not ruining it. We would just get the most out of our dollars for the room! And we did. We stayed in our room for the next 3 days. Our doctor called in a prescription for Rhonda, and she stayed in bed for 3 days. I will say that we did indeed eke out every red cent of the money we paid for the room that week. I share this cause I want you to know we have experience knowing what its like to be sick at the Contemporary.

So anyway, here we were, back at the Contemporary - the 8th anniversary trip - for our first stay since that awful week. It is ironic I guess that it happened this way. Wesley woke up in the middle of the night with what appeared to be a very high fever. He has had strep for about a month. He was on his 2nd round of antibiotics at that point. We assumed that this round of augmentin was working. But when he woke up the next morning, he was not near as hot. In fact, we wondered if he had a fever at all. But the tell tale whining and lazing around told us that he was not feeling good.

So what would you do? Go home? Go to the Kingdom? We knew he wouldn’t be contagious because he’d had 2 rounds of the antibiotic already. As we talked about it, he was listening, of course. In the most pitiful sounding of voices, he said, “Are we really going to go home? I want to see Princess Aurora, and Cinderellabration, and ride the Haunted Mansion.” It seemed as he kept naming things he perked up and up and up.

We decided to go to the Magic Kingdom as planned. Now, let me say here, please do not flame me for this. I read a thread on here somewhere where a family decided to do the same thing – take a sick kid into the parks. Man, did they tear that poster up! But our decision was basically this…Wesley will feel bad in the car if we go home, or at Disney. He won’t be passing germs around. If we go into the parks for a little while, perhaps he’ll sleep the whole way home.

Don’t hate. We did what we did.

LOL

By the time we got the room packed and everything in the car, it was getting pretty late. The park had been open for quite some time, and our usual flair for being able to catch Fantasyland before the crowds get there was not going to happen this time. But we pressed on. As we entered the Magic Kingdom, we could tell that the crowd seemed to be a little off – which was indeed a pleasant surprise. We figured that Monday on Memorial Day weekend would be wall to wall people. But no. Thankfully!

One of Wesley’s loves is to watch Cinderellabration. It was just about time for the next show, and surprisingly enough, there weren’t very many people waiting to watch. We got a spot right up next to the little chain rail at the stage and waited. Wesley did not want to be held – he just wanted to stay in his stroller. Sign number one that he was not feeling good. Usually, he’s either on my shoulders or jumping up and down with excitement at getting to see the hotties, er…um…princesses. But there he sat, all pitiful in his stroller. Rhonda and I discussed whether or not we were being silly. But as soon as the music started, Wesley perked up. He has seen the show so many times that he knows the music and was singing along. He would even do some of the arm movements with them.

When it came time for the princesses, Wesley was indeed himself – at least for the moment. He had gotten out of his stroller and was standing there waving with all of his might. I have shared before with you that this is part of what makes Disney so neat. He loves watching the parades, and shows with characters in them. He loves them so much, and he just wants them to love him back. And they have almost never disappointed!

First out was of course, Cinderella. She waved right at him, blowing him a kiss – he dug that. When the time came, out came Aurora and Prince Philip. They both noticed him, and waved – which made his day – cause they are his favorites.

Out next is Jasmine and Aladdin. She was the one we had seen when we had the special meet and greet back in January – boys…mmmmm.mmmmm! Anyway, it seemed that she remembered him too. She waved and blew him a kiss.

Last to come out that day (apparently Snow White was not there that day) was Belle and Beast. This Belle is the one whom we have met before, both as Belle and Princess Aurora. She knew we would be there. She saw Wesley and waved. He made the “I love you” sign with his hands, and she did it back to him. He was in heaven!

After the show, Wesley had perked back up and wanted to ride some rides. So we headed to the Haunted Mansion. Once again, he sought out a couple of HM cast members to show them the Hitchhiking Ghost thing, and they thought he was funny doing it. He is so funny in this ride. Usually. But the feeling bad seemed to take over, and instead of looking for the hidden mickey in the ballroom scene, he just sat back in the doom buggy and watched. We continued to think we had perhaps made a mistake, but we pressed on.

Lunch was next on the agenda. We had a reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern. The waitress we had was very nice and pleasant. Before the other family was seated, she was very attentive. Yes, there was indeed a table right next to us where the kids were extremely unruly. But these parents were also apparently oblivious to the behavior of their kids. The kids, talking in loud voices argued with each other. The dad changed his order like 3 times. The mom buried her face in her map. And didn’t seem to care that the rest of us lost contact with our waitress because of the demands they made. I can’t stand people like that.

Our poor waitress. I don’t know your name. But we salute you. You should be making loads more money than you are.

After lunch, Wesley was still not feeling good. We decided to just walk around a bit. Our plan was to ride a couple more rides, watch the parade and then head back to Macon. But with him being sooooo down, we were beginning to think that we might ought to go on home. As we walked around, we happened to come out right at the right time to see Peter Pan and Wendy. Wesley got out of his stroller and walked up to them. He actually seemed to enjoy the company. She was the Wendy we had seen in January several times, and also participated in the Family Magic Tour with her. She remembered him, and told him so. She told Peter that he had helped "Save the Magic Kingdom!" They played with his hat, and took pictures. After this little meet was done, Wesley turned around and said, “Peter Pan and Wendy cheered me up! Let’s go ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.”

So we did. He cackled like nobody’s business.

But then the doldrums returned. Poor little guy. We asked him if he wanted to go, and he said he wanted to see the parade. We figured, what could another hour hurt at this point?! So I went to secure our space for the parade and Wesley and Rhonda roamed about in the Christmas shop and around that area.

One thing that was really cool though, you know how they always have something special come around right before the parade starts? Sometimes its a high school band? That kind of thing? Well, this day they had a Calliope from one of the early Disney movies that Walt himself bought. It was huge! And really cool. They had some of the pretty Disney horses pulling it and I just thought that was really neat. First because of the connection to Walt himself, and second, just cause you don’t see that kind of stuff anymore.

When it got time for the parade to start, Wesley was once again burning up. He did not want to stand to see the characters, he just wanted to sit and watch. That is - until Captain Hook came around the corner. Wesley jumped up quick and got his hat and Peter Pan knife and started pointing it with this mean look on his face. It really is funny – you have to see it! Captain Hook spotted him as he got close and just stood there looking. The face off was on.

Slowly he turned, step by step. He made his way to Wesley, hook reaching out. Wesley continued to have his look of, “I’m going to mess you up Hook.” When Hook got close though, Wesley backed down and started waving. I think it melted Hooks heart – a little. Instead of making him walk the plank, all he did was kinda give Wesley a little touch with his hook on the side of his face.

By this time, Wesley was into it and turned around to ask if the Belle that we know would be in the parade. We told him that we didn’t know and that we’d just have to wait and see. Sure enough, as the princess float drew close, Wesley spotted her. And once again, either by sheer Disney magic, or perhaps she had told, every prince and princess on the float turned right to Wesley and gave him much attention. Belle was doing the “I love you” sign to him, and he did it back. Aurora blew him a kiss. It was just way cool, and Wesley was now acting like himself – even though we knew he didn’t feel like it.

Once the parade was past us, he wanted to ride the Haunted Mansion one more time before we left. But we knew that we probably ought to finally do the right thing and followed the parade out to Main Street. We walked through the Emporium on our way out and bought a couple of things.

Then it was back to the Contemporary, and back to Macon.

A couple of last thoughts. First of all, this was our Anniversary – 8 years. Rhonda I love you with all my heart. I’m glad God gave you to me. I may not always be the best of husbands. I may spend too much time online in the spice rack at times. I may holler too loud when FSU scores a touchdown. I may not be everything you ever dreamed of. But I love you, and I’m glad God gave you to me.

By the way, we vote every year on our anniversary to see if we’re going to continue for another year. So far it’s been unanimous, though there have been a couple of years where the vote was close! This year, it was indeed unanimous.

Part of me wondered if this trip was wasted with all the sickness. I don’t think so. Disney is always fun. Even when you’re sick. At least it is to me.

Hope you have enjoyed this report. Who knew it would take like 3 weeks to write a report on a trip that only lasted less than 24 hours. I must be longwinded or something!

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[Backstage_Gal]

DaRev finished his trippie for real, and great as always.

Thanks, Mark, and blessings to you and Rhonda and Wesley.

Can't wait to read about the October meet.

 

[LaLa]

Marky Mark, that was a great trip report. Thank you for sharing it with us. The second ending is much better.

I hope Wesley has finally kicked strep and that you and Rhonda have many, many more unanimous votes to come.

We'll be looking for another TR after October.

 

[Minnie]

MarkyMark - I am so glad that you wrote the "real" ending to your trip report! The love for your family shines through your words.

BTW - My DS's 1st "real" roller coaster was the BTMR and now he loves it. He enjoyed it so much that I was able to get him on EE because it was also a "train".

 

[jamal]

Best wishes, Mark and Rhonda, for manymany years of unanimous votes!!!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks Mark for a "real" ending to your report. I hope Wesley is feeling much better by now. My Wife and myself will also be back to our favorite place WDW in October, maybe we will see each other there. You and your family take care and make sure you visit us here on the TR boards.

 

[TLinden16]

Sorry that Wesley wasn't feeling well that day. Sounds like he did a good job of letting you know what pace he could take, and he had some magical memories anyways He is a cutie!

Word of advice, Mark. I think you need to not stay in the Contemporary anymore. It's a cursed resort for you

 

[jodistar]

Marky Mark, I love the trip report......The most touching part was the last post showing how much you love you wife. Too sweet!

You guys are so lucky to have one another