Yes, I'm On My Way - Surprise Trip 5 Years in the Making! - Non-Trip News 6/5/09

[HeatherBelle614]

Hey...I can't blame you for taking an US day...you deserve it you know. Sounds like you've got a good start. We're staying at Pop as well---will let you know how it is.

As for your plane falling like that, I've never had that happen to me before either. Was there any explanation?

I can't wait to read more of your PTR

I am looking forward to seeing how you like POP; please let me know if there is anything I must see/do/eat there!

No explanation at all; the pilot was standing up front when we left the plane; his face was white as a ghost. He just kept saying he didn't know what happened, but there was nothing on the radar. People who were supposed to be getting on another plane for a lay-over were at the AA desk demanding refunds and car rental vouchers. I don't blame them; there is no way I could have gotten straight on to another plane.

On being booked

crazy about the plane. I work for an FAA repair station...hope it wasn't one of our parts that caused the fall

To edit the title of the post click on "edit" then click "go advanced" then it should let you edit the title.

Well, even if it was your part, it at least got us home! (I always try to find the good side about everything! )

Got it; thanks so much. I would have never found that button on my own.

 

[debraW76]

Hey - I just noticed you had free dining? If you don't mind me asking was that from a pin or bounceback or did they start a new promo that I didn't know about?

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Hey - I just noticed you had free dining? If you don't mind me asking was that from a pin or bounceback or did they start a new promo that I didn't know about?

I got my very first PIN! That's the reason we're able to go this year!

Are you hoping for one??

 

[debraW76]

I got my very first PIN! That's the reason we're able to go this year!

Are you hoping for one??

YES!

I mean no

wait, YES!


No, because we vowed to get out of debt. While we are doing great (not using CC anymore, paid off two and scheduled to pay off 3rd in April), we still have a long way to go. My husband wants to start his on firm and I want to be a fulltime SAHM. In order to do that we need to cut back on Disney

But secretly Yes I still wish for a pin but don't tell my husband

But no I don't want one because if they send me one I might talk my husband into going during fall break

So the answer is Yes (i think)

 

[Disneyfan71]

Heather...I will definitely let you know about Pop!!! There is a thread of Pop Century pictures if you want your fix!! That's what I've been doing

I flew AA like 20 years ago and had to make an emergency landing---the landing gear light wasn't coming on so they circled the tower, got visual confirmation and we landed---it was interesting to see all the fire trucks and ambulances waiting!!

 

[ryanshana]

Hey Heather!

OMG about the plane! I swear I would have had a heart attack. Think someone else asked about an explanation from the airline...did they? Also did they do an emergency landing? Or just kept you up in the air. I swear I would have FREAKED out! I would totally be driving....maybe I'm glad I didn't buy my plane tickets yet!

OMG you'll LOVE Pop! Ya know what I am going to get on my laptop and see if I have pics of the room (I might not) and post them for you!

 

[ryanshana]

kay I have two...I really thought that I had more......Anyhoo

Bathroom

YEAS POP

 

[ckdsnynt]

Oh I love planning--that's part of the fun. I have the 2009 Unofficial Guide too..I've been reading through it--and will be reading it from cover to cover AGAIN!! WDW has changed so much in fourteen years, I probably won't reconginze it.

I do not like storms at all!! We're supposed to get some of what you're getting tomorrow.

Of course there have been changes, but oh, you will recognize it, trust me! And the popcorn and bakery smell of Main Street in the Magic Kingdom is still the same. Hope you have a wonderful time with your precious mother.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

YES!

I mean no

wait, YES!


No, because we vowed to get out of debt. While we are doing great (not using CC anymore, paid off two and scheduled to pay off 3rd in April), we still have a long way to go. My husband wants to start his on firm and I want to be a fulltime SAHM. In order to do that we need to cut back on Disney

But secretly Yes I still wish for a pin but don't tell my husband

But no I don't want one because if they send me one I might talk my husband into going during fall break

So the answer is Yes (i think)

Haha; that's so funny! I did the same thing, got the PIN, and was like DONE! I said it was a sign we're meant to go this year! Luckily, DH thought so too; he wasn't very hard to convince!!

Hey Heather!

OMG about the plane! I swear I would have had a heart attack. Think someone else asked about an explanation from the airline...did they? Also did they do an emergency landing? Or just kept you up in the air. I swear I would have FREAKED out! I would totally be driving....maybe I'm glad I didn't buy my plane tickets yet!

OMG you'll LOVE Pop! Ya know what I am going to get on my laptop and see if I have pics of the room (I might not) and post them for you!

Yeah; I don't know when I'll be flying again. I need some time ON the ground. But no, they wouldn't tell us what happened and flew to Dallas. We were just told it'd be damaged out after we landed.

Thanks so much for the pics! The first one is too cute!!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I can totally understand your reluctance to fly anytime soon! I've always loved to fly, but something like that might certainly change my mind!

 

[autumnpalm]

Oh my goodness, I don't blame you for not wanting to fly! That sounds just terrifying.

You'll love the POP. I stayed there in July and loved it. They have a great food court... the chicken alfredo with pasta is soooo delicious. And you have to try the tye dye cheesecake! We loved eating there.

It's such a clean, bright, fun resort.

 

[my2disneyboys]

Well, we paid our deposit as soon as I got home tonight! We're officially booked!

These are our the main plans:
September 4 - Leave DFW early (drive) & stop around 10pm-11pm
September 5 - Arrive at WDW & check in to POP; go to a park
September 6 - WDW Park
September 7 - Day Off/DTD (since it's Labor Day)
September 8 - US day (please don't hate me; my mom loves US, and this trip is about her!)
September 9 - US Day
September 10 - WDW Park
September 11 - WDW Park
September 12 - WDW Park
September 13 - Back to DFW

We've never stayed at POP; I'm pretty excited about it. DH and I stayed at POFQ on our honeymoon and I absolutely adored that resort. I've stayed at most of the mods and all of the All-Stars during previous trips. (We'll make it to the Deluxe some day!)

Here are a couple more pics from our last trip together:

This picture leads to the story about why we're driving instead of flying: (DH & I on our honeymoon flight; this was the day after our wedding, so please excuse the no-sleep-for-a-week-and-no-make-up-look)

To try and make a really long story short for blog purposes, we were about 20 minutes in to our flight back to DFW. Everything was going fine; the seatbelt sign was off, so many people were up and around, unbuckled, and the flight attendants were passing out drinks and snacks.

All of a sudden, our plane fell. No turbulence or any type of bumps - it just fell straight down. The liquid in people's cups crystalized, flew upwards to the ceiling, and fell back down to hit everyone. The drink carts were flying up and down the aisles; one flight attendant got gashed in the back of her leg. People flew out of their seats and many were hurt; the glassware in first class smashed against the walls.

We fell two more times before the pilot finally got the plane back up; he was on the speaker screaming at people to get in their seats. People were sobbing quietly and praying the rest of the flight - another hour and a half. I literally thought that our plane was going to crash.

Our flight attendant said she'd never experienced anything like that in her 28 years on the job; when we finally landed, they damaged out our plane and the flight attendant told us there was no storm or weather issues on the radars - our plane just fell.

Walking off the plane in to the airport was one of the most emotional experiences of my life; my friend in the air force said we had to fall "a long ways" for the liquid to crystalize like that. (He wouldn't tell me what that meant as I was already scared as it was.)

Two weeks later, I had to get on another plane to Orlando (and then, of course back to DFW) to go on a cruise with DH's side of the family. I had my first (and only) panic attack of my life the night before; I was sick the whole flight there, and I didn't enjoy the cruise because I was just dreading getting back on the plane to DFW. (Again, I sat shivering next to DH on the way home.)

So, it hasn't even been a year, and I'm now terrified of getting back on a plane. I'd rather not do it any time soon; and, I was never scared of flying before, but now, I know when I am ready, I'm going to have to get some assistance from my doctor.

To make this trip enjoyable for me (and DH, too - he was just as terrified as I was; but, he was a great newlywed husband and didn't show it until we got off the plane; he cried when we stepped foot on land), we aren't flying. Driving takes longer, but to me, it's less stressful, and we'll have more time to visit with one another. I've already planned what Disney CDs, DVDs, etc. to pack with us!

UP NEXT: Tentative Dining Plans

P.S. I'm going to add chapters to the first post soon! Until then, how do I update my title for the PTR?? I can't figure it out and want to put my update notes in the title! Thanks!

I am terrified and have never experienced anything like this. Wow- I am so sorry you had to go thru that.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I can totally understand your reluctance to fly anytime soon! I've always loved to fly, but something like that might certainly change my mind!

I used to love to fly; it's going to take me some time to even step foot in an airport now. DH wants to go to Italy when I'm done with school (4-ish years from now.) We'll see if I'm OK by then!

Oh my goodness, I don't blame you for not wanting to fly! That sounds just terrifying.

You'll love the POP. I stayed there in July and loved it. They have a great food court... the chicken alfredo with pasta is soooo delicious. And you have to try the tye dye cheesecake! We loved eating there.

It's such a clean, bright, fun resort.

I'm very excited about POP! It looks so fun in pictures! DH has already said he's getting cheesecake every day - his fav dessert!

I am terrified and have never experienced anything like this. Wow- I am so sorry you had to go thru that.

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I was going to update today on my lunch, but I'm in a really sullen mood after watching the news all morning concerning that Continental flight.

So, instead, I would just like to say that my thoughts, heart, prayers, and love go out to the families and friends of those on Flight 3407.

 

[tinkgurl]

I think I'm done flying for awhile..

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I think I'm done flying for awhile..

Ditto; staying on the ground for a while.

Welcome, though! I'm going to head over to your PTR!

 

[tinkgurl]

Welcome, though! I'm going to head over to your PTR!

Aw thanks! And please do!

 

[Enchanted]

Hi, Heather! I'm loving your PTR! You are so sweet to be doing something so wonderful for your mom! I'm a mama's girl myself, and I would be devastated if anything ever happened to her. You're amazing for taking care of your mom while she was sick and then surprising her with this trip now that she's better! Both you and your mom deserve all the pixie dust in the world for surviving what you've been through.

Your wedding pictures are gorgeous! I love that you found the old-fashioned ears. I don't like the new headband ones at all.

I feel for you about the tax situation. I used to sell stuff on CafePress, and they do the same thing. 1099s are awful! Hopefully you'll work it out some way where you'll get at least SOMETHING back. (I had heard that if you didn't qualify for the stimulus package last year but DO qualify this year that you could still get the amount of money that was given out last year. Does that make sense? )

about the plane! I've never ridden on one myself, and after that story and the events of this morning (Not to mention the Hudson River incident a couple of weeks ago!), I can't say I ever will. I do know all about panic attacks though. I have a phobia of dogs, and I've had my fair share of panic attacks over it. I love the cuties but bring one close to me and an invisible switch goes off in my head and I start having a panic attack.

Finally, you guys are gonna LOVE the POP. We stayed there last June/July and thought it was great! My brothers and I loved that you could use your refillable mug to get free refills of slushies! Coke or blueberry flavored! Hahaha, we're dorks! I've got plenty of pictures if you want to see any.

Can't wait for more details on your trip!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Hey Heather! I'm really enjoying your PTR thus far. I'm actually planning on starting law school in 2010 too. Have you taken the LSAT yet? I'm scheduled for the June exam. I've been studying on and off since September, but now I'm attempting to buckle down more now.

I can't even imagine how terrifying that must've been when your plane fell. I always have panic attacks when I fly, and I've never even had anything close to that happen to me. I don't blame you for wanting to drive to WDW!

I'm glad you decided to take your trip in September. We did something similar with our Dad back in 2002. At the time, his cancer was still in remission (he had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma). We had such a great time together!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Hi, Heather! I'm loving your PTR! You are so sweet to be doing something so wonderful for your mom! I'm a mama's girl myself, and I would be devastated if anything ever happened to her. You're amazing for taking care of your mom while she was sick and then surprising her with this trip now that she's better! Both you and your mom deserve all the pixie dust in the world for surviving what you've been through.

Your wedding pictures are gorgeous! I love that you found the old-fashioned ears. I don't like the new headband ones at all.

I feel for you about the tax situation. I used to sell stuff on CafePress, and they do the same thing. 1099s are awful! Hopefully you'll work it out some way where you'll get at least SOMETHING back. (I had heard that if you didn't qualify for the stimulus package last year but DO qualify this year that you could still get the amount of money that was given out last year. Does that make sense? )

about the plane! I've never ridden on one myself, and after that story and the events of this morning (Not to mention the Hudson River incident a couple of weeks ago!), I can't say I ever will. I do know all about panic attacks though. I have a phobia of dogs, and I've had my fair share of panic attacks over it. I love the cuties but bring one close to me and an invisible switch goes off in my head and I start having a panic attack.

Finally, you guys are gonna LOVE the POP. We stayed there last June/July and thought it was great! My brothers and I loved that you could use your refillable mug to get free refills of slushies! Coke or blueberry flavored! Hahaha, we're dorks! I've got plenty of pictures if you want to see any.

Can't wait for more details on your trip!

I'm definitely a mamma's girl! I normally talk to her every morning on my way to work and before I go to bed. I also see her once a weekend, too. (She lives about 45 minutes from me.) That's great you have such a wonderful relationship with your momma, too!!

Yeah, I don't want to sound snobby and hope that I don't, but I don't like the headband, either. It's too little-girl dress up looking compared to the ears I saw growing up!

I think if anyone drove me near an airport, I'd have a panic attack then and there. I just sat staring at the TV this morning for a good 10 minutes, just crying. I felt so scared for those poor people; I know how horrible I felt, and we at least made it home, safely.

I'd LOVE to see your pictures!! SHARE AWAY!!

I'm heading over to your PTR right now!