Will I be Herding Cats Again?* **** COMPLETED *****

[ladybugmom]

Ok--started my PTR!! Check it out when you get a chance!!!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Loved your 'Ohana review! It's on our list for our next trip--we found out that our friends are going with us, so I thought it would be a good choice for one of our meals together. Our friends have never been to Disney, so I am the planner; trying to figure out time together/time apart since we've only gone on our own. They are bringing their dd8(my dd's friend), their ds17 and his friend17. I think the little girls will have fun with all the games at 'Ohana.

The Poly is so pretty! I doubt if we'll ever stay there, but it's beautiful to visit.

 

[mom2mek]

Loved your Poly/ 'Ohana update. Reading it makes me miss Poly so much. I shouldn't complain as I did get to stay there twice for 8 nights each. But we just love it and would be happy to stay there every year. The food at 'Ohana is execellent, the dessert is awesome too. I heard they did away with it though not sure. You are going to love staying there .

I miss the Poly too Nichole and I didn't even stay there! I'm really looking forward to, though...in just a month and 3 weeks!

Really? They did away with that dessert? That had to be one of the top 3 desserts in all of Disney!!!!

Great update as usual my friend! You make me want to try 'Ohana someday. We've never been there, only to Kona.

Love the stock pictures! In one of them I swear I see someone I know! Too funny!

That's funny Michelle! Is it the limbo one? That is really ironic!! I wish I could do my whole report with stock photos because it makes it a lot easier!! (Of course, obviously it doesn't make me post any quicker....but I'm just sayin.... ) You should definitely try 'Ohana some time! I bet Sam would love it - especially if she had some other kids with her to do the limbo! You know, like some kids named Michael or Emily or Katie (or Hunter, Megan, Kaitlyn, Rachel, etc, etc.... one of these days we will all get together down there WITH our kids!!!)

Sara--I really enjoyed reading your pre-trip report and have started on your trip report (currently reading Day2)! I have 2 daughters--Ally (4 1/2) and Claire (17 mo.). Ally takes dance and sings in the preschool choir at our church--like your girls!! We are going to WDW May 16-23! We're staying at the Polynesian and will be celerating our 10th anniversary! This will be the girl's 1st trip to WDW. I haven't been since I was a freshman in high school and it''s been even longer for dh. I am really enjoying the planning part of our trip and I can't wait until May!! Reading all of these great reports has inspired me to start my own pre-trip report. I will post when I get it started!! Oh--and where in VA do you live? My brother lives in Arlington, VA (works in D.C.) and my aunt & uncle live in Leesburg.

That's really funny! We will be at the Poly too from the 13th through the 17th! Maybe I will run into you! It will just be hubby and I! I will have to check out your trip report later on today (I have a bday party to go organize now)....writing a TR really helps extend the magic of the trip - they are great fun!!

We live in Southeast Virginia - on the coast - the Hampton Roads area. Takes us about 3 1/2 hours to get to DC! So pretty up there! Thanks for reading!

Ok--started my PTR!! Check it out when you get a chance!!!

I will definitely do so!

Loved your 'Ohana review! It's on our list for our next trip--we found out that our friends are going with us, so I thought it would be a good choice for one of our meals together. Our friends have never been to Disney, so I am the planner; trying to figure out time together/time apart since we've only gone on our own. They are bringing their dd8(my dd's friend), their ds17 and his friend17. I think the little girls will have fun with all the games at 'Ohana.

The Poly is so pretty! I doubt if we'll ever stay there, but it's beautiful to visit.

I hope you love 'Ohana as much as we did! If you have a lot of meat lovers in your group you will definitely love it - it was Shawn's favorite of the trip!
Planning for a group of different ages is definitely a challenge but you are armed with lots of good info, so just let them know you know what you are doing! (In a nice way of course....)! The girls will have a lot of fun together I'm sure!!!


I'm really looking forward to the Poly! I NEVER EVER thought I would stay there, so don't count it out. Keep an eye out for discounts - I got about 50% off! It's the only way it was gonna happen for us!

Sara

 

[matosfam]

I just found this TR and I am loving it -- Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

Although I am only halfway thru, I hope you don't mind me asking: Which WH townhome did you rent? Would you recommend the place? I have been looking for the right location to stay offsite for a while now and I love the layout in the bedrooms! It would work so well for our family...

If you don't mind sharing, I would love the input.

 

[DisneyJo]

Love the photos Sara How kind of your Mom to buy you some pressies, it's nice to be appreciated Your meal sounds lovely and a big hit with the family

 

[mom2mek]

I just found this TR and I am loving it -- Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

Although I am only halfway thru, I hope you don't mind me asking: Which WH townhome did you rent? Would you recommend the place? I have been looking for the right location to stay offsite for a while now and I love the layout in the bedrooms! It would work so well for our family...

If you don't mind sharing, I would love the input.

Thanks for reading! I don't mind any questions at all. The name of the place was Bambi's Bungalow and I went through a company named Florida Sun. They were great and the townhouse was perfect. The layout of the rooms was perfect for our group as well, especially since the kids room had the extra full size bed for Grammy. I loved that it was an end unit as well, plus it was really close to the resort pool! I usually look for places that have a "Disney" themed room for the kids, but in this case we had to go for the extra bed space. It was very nicely decorated and had everything we needed. If you have any other questions, ask away...

Love the photos Sara How kind of your Mom to buy you some pressies, it's nice to be appreciated Your meal sounds lovely and a big hit with the family

Thanks Jo! Yes, the photos are top-notch, don't ya think? Meal was great and the presents were so very thoughtful!

Almost done.....

Sara

 

[ladybugmom]

That's really funny! We will be at the Poly too from the 13th through the 17th! Maybe I will run into you! It will just be hubby and I! I will have to check out your trip report later on today (I have a bday party to go organize now)....writing a TR really helps extend the magic of the trip - they are great fun!!

Sara

Really?! How did I miss that--oh yeah--it's in your siggy. Guess I wasn't doing the math! Maybe we will run into you! Thanks for joining my PTR and for all of your advice!!

 

[mom2mek]

Day 6 - Magic Kingdom/Poly
Part 13 - "Ho'Onanea" — the passing of time in languid tranquility.

After our wonderful meal at Ohana, we made our way out to look at more of the resort. We were very relaxed and were all just taking it in. The resort is so breathtaking!

We walked past some of the stores, really admiring the gallery....such beautiful pieces in there.

Then we meandered outside. All the tiki torches were lit by now as the sun had gone down. I could feel the warmth of the South Pacific as we made our way towards the pool…..simply stunning.

It was about 7 o' clock by now (if I’m remembering correctly), and the rain had stopped earlier, when we were still eating dinner, so the pool had that wonderful post-rain calmness and the castle was glowing purple in the background and was both beautiful and spooky at the same time. The Halloween Party was in full swing by now I’m sure! We watched the castle change colors as we walked around the pool area and admired the Grand Ceremonial House from the opposite direction. I was somewhat wishing that I had made a later ADR for ‘Ohana, so that by the time we finished we could watch Hallowishes from the beach, but oh well. The fireworks were still a little less than 2 hours away so that was not going to happen.

The kids ran out to the white-sand beach and immediately started playing. They sat in the hammock that was over by the dock and then they ran past us and towards the wonderful swing. It was so nice to just sit out there and swing leisurely while staring at the castle and trying not to be too envious about all the people in the Hawaii concierge building behind us.

We stood there, talking, and that's when Pop Pop said something to the effect of "we have got to stay here with everyone!' He turned to my mom and asked if they should, perhaps, plan their 25th wedding anniversary to be at Disney, over a Thanksgiving break (they got married in early Nov) with everyone staying at the Poly! We all kind of laughed about it, considering the costs that would be involved in putting 19 people up at the Polynesian hotel over a holiday.

But he was serious.

Granted, he hasn't mentioned much about it since that day, but at the time, considering that their 25th would be in 2010, he thought that would give them enough time to pull it off! I have my doubts, not just about the affordability of that kind of trip, but when we all go together, we really do enjoy staying at a big house close to Disney. When we were there with everyone last Thanksgiving, especially with a lot of smaller children, it just made it easier to visit with one another “beyond the parks”. You can put the kids to bed and stay up talking about the day, the next day’s plans, having a cocktail, and just being together without having to tiptoe around the kids or someone having to stay with them in a hotel room while the rest of the grownups hop on down to a restaurant.

Plus, with my nieces with us, we would have to have a full kitchen so we could boil nebulizers and things that they need for their treatment of CF.

Anyway, back to Pop Pop’s dream….I don’t know if it'll happen or not, Pop Pop tends to dream a lot…..but I was hoping. Still am. (sister could bring a hot plate maybe….don’t know if that would work…)

After a few more minutes of daydreaming, we headed back inside the resort, stopping along the way for the kids to wash their feet off in the little tiki statue "foot" shower and to admire a whole bunch of other little tikis, lush landscaping, and other wonderful theming details. Slowly, we made our way to the monorail for our last short ride.

I was moving at a very slow pace by then, trying to delay the inevitable, but unfortunately our time at Disney had come to an end, and now we were heading back to the house to pack up for our early flight the next day.

On our way home, we stopped and put gas in the mini-van so that we wouldn't have to do that the following morning. Once we were back to the house, we sent the kids to bed, Shawn took the other little car that we had rented (mostly to cart our luggage to and from the airport…LOL)….and went to fill it up with like $3 of gas) , and I started the very sad act of packing up.

I finally hit the sack about 12:30 that morning. Don’t ask me why….I don’t really know…maybe it was some subconscious attempt at prolonging my trip???

(Technically....This is the start of Day 7 of the trip....Departure Day)

The next mornng, our flight was leaving at 8:45, so we had planned on leaving the house by 6:15 in order to give us plenty of time to return the two cars, and get all our luggage (remember all that luggage from way back at the beginning of the report) plus the kids, the stroller, the kids carry-ons, our carry-ons, the carseat…etc, etc, to the luggage check and through security without my step-dad having a heart attack. He is great to travel with once you arrive to your destination, but he and air travel make me a bit jumpy. He is just a little nervous about being too late, missing his flight, something…I don’t know what. But he even gets nervous about leaving to use the restroom once he is AT the gate (even if he has already checked in and is now just waiting for an hour…LOL) It’s a bit strange, but we all expect it, so we all try to plan for it!

Anyway, I had planned to be up by 4:45, to give myself plenty of time to get ready, get the kids ready, and get all those last-minute things packed up and organized for the trip home.

Ugh…..that was waaaaayyyyy early after a Disney trip. (Note to self, do not book such an early flight next time). 8:50 isn’t really THAT early, but really, when you are herding 3 kids and 3 grandparents, plus 2 rental cars, a lot of luggage, and the kitchen sink with you…It just is.

We managed to roll out of there right on time though, and we were off to the airport…with Shawn’s girlfriend (the GPS) leading the way. Well, apparently the girlfriend had a beef with Shawn, because before we knew it, Shawn was getting off the interstate and was headed towards Universal. Um, hello? In short order, he was back on the interstate, and my mom made a good point when she said, “I’m just glad we ladies weren’t leading the cars…we would have never heard the end of it!” And she is sooo right!

We got the cars checked in, got ourselves checked in through security, after poor Grammy was practically stripped down to nothing…I swear, everytime she gets beeped! LOL! And then we made it to our gate around 7:45. We picked up some Starbucks lattes to enjoy while we waited and then I grabbed a muffin or something at one of the little shops for the kids to eat. Before long we were boarding the plane and heading home.

One of our co-workers had logged on to Southwest for us the previous morning to get our boarding group since we were going to be at the Magic Kingdom that morning, and she had scored us some nice Group A assignments! So we got on the plane pretty quickly and found our seats. This time, Emily wanted to sit with Grandmommy AND Grammy, so I sat with Katie and a nice little old stranger lady! The guys, of course, sat together with Michael.

And…we were off.

And…I was coloring.

And then it happened….about 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot came on and said that we “had a problem”.

My heart sank. I hate to fly. Like, literally HATE to fly. I swear my stomach knotted up so tight at those few words and I instantly felt sick. Apparently, they were having troubles with our landing gear not retracting after taking off. They could not fly this way all the way to Norfolk, VA (I’m guessing because at the speeds we were supposed to travel, the gear would be ripped off, but I don’t know).

He said they would be turning the plane around and going back to Orlando to land again, re-board us all onto another plane, and take off again to VA. Doesn’t sound like too big a deal, but to me……yep…a big deal. A million things started swirling around in my little paranoid brain. I was sitting in a row in front of the guys and the grandmothers, so no one in my group could really see me, and I knew that if I looked back at any of them I would start to cry.

Well, I looked anyway. I looked at my mom and she gave me that “Mom” smile, that reassuring-you-will-be-fine- be- strong- for- your- kids, smile. But I still welled up with tears and fear. Plus, I was really tired.

The lady sitting next to Katie was very nice and she could tell I was a little rattled so she started talking about how much she loved Southwest, and that the airline had never had any major accidents, and that one of the things she liked was that all their planes were the same, unlike a lot of other airlines, where they use a lot of different models of planes. She had a friend of a Southwest pilot who said it is comforting to know that whichever routes/planes you are assigned, the plane is never “new” to you, and you always feel comfortable and capable of what you are doing. Thanks lady.

We landed in Orlando, and as we exited the plane, Katie thought we were all the way back in Virginia! LOL! Gotta love the clueless kids!

They re-boarded us after a few of us had to run to the bathroom (darn that Starbucks latte combined with nerves….). This time Emily wanted to sit next to me. So we did a little switcheroo, and we were off again.

An hour and 45 minutes later, we were home, exhausted and about 2 hours later than we originally planned. But safe and sound. Thank God. We gathered our luggage, said goodbye to Grandmommy and Pop Pop and headed back to our house, with a quick stop at Chick Fil-A for some lunch.

Grammy was working that night at the dance studio right up the road from our house, so she just came home with us and then left for work a couple of hours later. It was nice listening to her conversations with her husband (FIL), and her daughter (SIL) as she was going on and on about how much fun she had, all the amazing food she ate, how it was a trip she would never forget, yada, yada, yada….just wonderful things! Love her! I'm so glad we were able to bring her with us this trip and I truly hope she had a marvelous time....I think she did.

Up next…final thoughts and upcoming trip plans.

 

[jillyb]

I can't believe it's over. But on the bright side you've got a couples trip coming up soon! What a nice way to end your last night. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Pop Pop can pull off the anniversary trip and that your sister can come up with a way to sterilize the nebulizers.

I think I would have had a heart attack if I'd been on that plane! I don't like flying and that announcement would have had me in panic mode. Glad all was OK and ya'll got home safely.

 

[kaysmommie]

Sad your trip has ended, looking forward to hearing all you have planned for your upcoming trip though. I would be panicky about about the landing gear too problems too. Glad to hear your MIL had a good time with the family.

 

[Paparazzimama]

I am so sad that your trip is over. It makes me want to stop updating my TR just to put off having to go through the end of a Disney trip all over again.

 

[mkluvsmickey]

That's funny Michelle! Is it the limbo one? That is really ironic!! I wish I could do my whole report with stock photos because it makes it a lot easier!! (Of course, obviously it doesn't make me post any quicker....but I'm just sayin.... ) You should definitely try 'Ohana some time! I bet Sam would love it - especially if she had some other kids with her to do the limbo! You know, like some kids named Michael or Emily or Katie (or Hunter, Megan, Kaitlyn, Rachel, etc, etc.... one of these days we will all get together down there WITH our kids!!!)

Yes - the limbo picture! The lady at the table in the front looks exactly like the office manager at one of my client's offices. I keep meaning to call and ask her - LOL!

And yes, we must get our families together one of these days at WDW - that would be so much fun! At least I'll get to see you in May!

Love the last update also. So sad that your trip is over. That would be awesome if you guys were all able to stay at the Poly together one of these days. But I can see the point of a big house all together too.

Too funny that Katie thought you were in VA when you had to land back in Orlando - LOL!

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

So sad it's over! I absolutely can't wait to hear all about your trip in May though....You have to keep us updated on your plans

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Sara:

Boy, I had missed reading your report. It seems like forever since I have been on the Dis. I am so glad you had a nice trip. The Poly looks fabulous. I could not believe the pool. It makes me want to stay there someday.

I know the feeling about flying and really feel for you. I flew the week after 9/11 and was pregnant with Jeremy. I got stuck in the air trying to land in bad weather in St. Louis. It seemed like we circled the airport for hours waiting to land. I got morning sickness on the plane. It was sooo funny as I was getting off, the stewardess realized I was pregnant (hello, I know I am overweight but for goodness sake, at that time I wasn't and the belly would have been the first sign!). She thought I had a bad cold and did not even come to see if I needed anything. Oh well!!! I prefer driving anyday!

So, I read that you have another trip coming up. Did I read correctly that it is just you and DH? That would be fabulous! I can't wait to read that report!

Erika

 

[DisneyJo]

Wow I hope the Poly trip happens, that sounds amazing. I'm sure Disney would somehow be able to help your sister with the sterilizing!

Sorry about your flight, it must have been a bit scary and the lady next to you sounded as though she said just the right things

 

[KathyRN137]

I have my doubts, not just about the affordability of that kind of trip, but when we all go together, we really do enjoy staying at a big house close to Disney.... You can put the kids to bed and stay up talking about the day, the next day’s plans, having a cocktail, and just being together without having to tiptoe around the kids or someone having to stay with them in a hotel room while the rest of the grownups hop on down to a restaurant.

Plus, with my nieces with us, we would have to have a full kitchen so we could boil nebulizers and things that they need for their treatment of CF.

Sounds like you need DVC!!

(Shawn's gonna love me for that!)


Kathy

 

[faerieprincess]

Noooo it can't be over! You don't have to hurry to finish before me, it's not a race!

Great update, Sara! Sounds like a really scary thing to happen on the plane, i'd have been mostly upset because i really hate take-offs and landings!

 

[mom2mek]

I can't believe it's over. But on the bright side you've got a couples trip coming up soon! What a nice way to end your last night. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Pop Pop can pull off the anniversary trip and that your sister can come up with a way to sterilize the nebulizers.

I think I would have had a heart attack if I'd been on that plane! I don't like flying and that announcement would have had me in panic mode. Glad all was OK and ya'll got home safely.

Thanks Jill! I sort of can't believe I'm finished! The big family trip would be nice but that's gonna be hard to pull off, so we'll see....

Sad your trip has ended, looking forward to hearing all you have planned for your upcoming trip though. I would be panicky about about the landing gear too problems too. Glad to hear your MIL had a good time with the family.

Thanks Nichole! Yes, that flight was a little un-nerving for me...I was glad to be on the ground finally....

I am so sad that your trip is over. It makes me want to stop updating my TR just to put off having to go through the end of a Disney trip all over again.

Endings suck, don't they?

Yes - the limbo picture! The lady at the table in the front looks exactly like the office manager at one of my client's offices. I keep meaning to call and ask her - LOL!

And yes, we must get our families together one of these days at WDW - that would be so much fun! At least I'll get to see you in May!

Love the last update also. So sad that your trip is over. That would be awesome if you guys were all able to stay at the Poly together one of these days. But I can see the point of a big house all together too.

Too funny that Katie thought you were in VA when you had to land back in Orlando - LOL!

That's very funny about that picture Michelle!

Looking forward to May! Should be fun. Different...but fun!

 

[mom2mek]

So sad it's over! I absolutely can't wait to hear all about your trip in May though....You have to keep us updated on your plans

Thanks Katie! I will definitely post here when/if I start a May pre-trip! I may need some advice from the experienced solo-adult Disney travelers!!!

Sara:

Boy, I had missed reading your report. It seems like forever since I have been on the Dis. I am so glad you had a nice trip. The Poly looks fabulous. I could not believe the pool. It makes me want to stay there someday.

I know the feeling about flying and really feel for you. I flew the week after 9/11 and was pregnant with Jeremy. I got stuck in the air trying to land in bad weather in St. Louis. It seemed like we circled the airport for hours waiting to land. I got morning sickness on the plane. It was sooo funny as I was getting off, the stewardess realized I was pregnant (hello, I know I am overweight but for goodness sake, at that time I wasn't and the belly would have been the first sign!). She thought I had a bad cold and did not even come to see if I needed anything. Oh well!!! I prefer driving anyday!

So, I read that you have another trip coming up. Did I read correctly that it is just you and DH? That would be fabulous! I can't wait to read that report!

Erika

Hi Erika! Welcome back! Who knew you could take a long break from the DIS,and come back on to find I'm STILL not done with this thing! Ha! Well, I guess I kind of am now! That is a horrible flight story....I would have been freaking out....

Yes, we are headed down in May, just Shawn and I! Woo Hoo!! I will probably do a report for that trip too....really helps pass the time until the next trip!

Wow I hope the Poly trip happens, that sounds amazing. I'm sure Disney would somehow be able to help your sister with the sterilizing!

Sorry about your flight, it must have been a bit scary and the lady next to you sounded as though she said just the right things

Hey...maybe that would make a good question for the Moms Panel!!

Sounds like you need DVC!!

(Shawn's gonna love me for that!)


Kathy

oooo....you are good Kathy! Very,very good!! Yes, I have mentioned it to him before, plus I tried to sell my step-dad into doing it together with us! So far, no takers.... What is wrong with these people, anyways?

Noooo it can't be over! You don't have to hurry to finish before me, it's not a race!

Great update, Sara! Sounds like a really scary thing to happen on the plane, i'd have been mostly upset because i really hate take-offs and landings!

Yep - takeoffs and landings are the worst - and that was part of my nerves...knowing I would have 2 additional ones to deal with! Ugh...

Phew - finished before you!!!!! (JK)

Sara

 

[Kimberly815]

Awww! I am so sad its over!