[dac921]

Are y’all sure you want our trip report… I know, I know… the answer is YES!!

Okay here we go…

As most of you know, our trip consisted of more than my immediate family – our cast members:

Me (Dee or as Boss Mouse calls me DAC)
Jim (My loving DH)
Amanda (MissSMIGm – 15)
HollyLynne (18)
My Mom
My Dad

Our adventure actually started on Thursday – MissSMIG had a full day of school, DH had to work until 3:30 and HollyLynne and I had an orthopedic appointment.

As most of you remember my packing dilemma with HollyLynne, I actually (thought) I had her packed on Saturday night, when I stuffed her bag with all the outfits that she was brining at that point she had about 20 outfits and her bag weighed about 30 pounds, but you know teenage girls… more about that later.

Well we (HollyLynne and I) packed the car and then repacked the car, with HollyLynne’s bag being SOOOOOOOOOO big that I had to shove into the car.

Anyway, enough with HollyLynne’s bag for a minute.

So HollyLynne and I went to the doctor’s – he said that her hands are doing great, but for me not so good, I had to get another brace for the carpal tunnel so now I have two braces that have to worn while I sleep and drive. So HollyLynne and I went to get the other brace and then we went home.

When we got home MissSMIG was already home and so was DH… it was only 3 and he was showered and ready to go, well I forgot to tell you that DH found a whole in his tooth so he had to go to the dentist which is around the corner from my parents house, and since we were spending the night at my Mom and Dad’s it just made sense to make an appointment for that Thursday.

It was about 3:30 pm when we finally got out of the door – we stopped at the WAWA for drinks, then off to Grandma’s we go. The drive there was terrible, DH had a 6pm appointment, but we hit so much traffic it wasn’t funny. The drive usually takes an hour and half to 45 minutes, but we didn’t get to the dentist until 6:15 pm. So DH goes in and I take the girls to my Mom’s house, we unload the car (Mom and Dad had arranged to get us to the airport the next morning) – anyway, HollyLynne was bugging me for a new pair of jeans, so we went to Mandee’s I gave her 20 minutes to find what she wanted. She picked up a bunch of stuff and by the time she was done, it only can to about $30 – which was great.

While HollyLynne and I were gone, my Dad took MissSMIG to Wendy’s for food, so now Holly is saying she is hungry so off I go to Wendy’s, which is 2 blocks away (but yes we drove) to get food, as we were leaving Wendy’s I see DH – he was walking the opposite way. Where was he going, so I pull into the lot next to the dentist… (oh the dentist is next to Wendy’s) and ask him where was he going and he points to Walgreen, why I said, he said Dr. U just pulled his tooth… oh great, gotta to Walgreen’s to get his RX filled. So we dropped that off went to pick up MissSMIG from Grandma’s house and drop Grandma’s chicken nuggets off and we had to drive over to see DH’s Mom for a few minutes. We were there for about an hour, and then picked DH’s med up. We finally got to my Mom’s house around 9 pm, by this time I was ready to drop, but I couldn’t I had to check email and make sure that everything was set.

So finally around midnight I got to sleep, didn’t sleep well, keep hitting myself in the face with the new brace – no bruises THANK GOD! But it did hurt.


Day 1 – We are Off!!!!
9-19-2008

The alarm rings at 3:30 am – I was the first up, had to make the coffee and jump into the shower (transportation was coming at 5 am). So we were all ready by 4:30 am (record time for my family – which includes showers and HollyLynne’s hair regimen). DH and I got the luggage out of the house which consisted of 6 suitcase, 5 carryon and numerous grunts and groans from the girls.

The cabs arrived right on time, my parents made arrangements with a local cab company they gave her a great rate for drop off and pick up.

Anyway, we get to the airport in record time, by 5:45 am we were sitting at the gate waiting… DH wasn’t happy that he had to wait over an hour for the flight, but what can you do.

Anyway, our flight was uneventful, we got to MCO and took the monorail to the main terminal and went immediately to the magical express. Since my Mom has problems walking so I asked if my Mom and Dad could get on the bus early, so we got right on the bus, Mom and Dad had front row seat all the way to WDW. The smile on my Dad’s face was priceless.

Side Note: I have been trying to convince my Mom for months to let me arrange for a wheel chair and she keep resisting me… just keep that in mind.

DH, the girls and I finally get on the ME and take our ride to Coronado Springs – it was an uneventful ride, I was a little upset, I keep getting text message from a coworker at Lowes saying that I said something to the store manager when I didn’t – took me almost the entire trip to CSR to blow the incident off.

Well we get to CSR and off ME, go to registration to check in, there was a 2 minute wait. We check in and are told that both our 3rd level water view rooms would be ready after 3pm, but call this number in about an hour or so for an update… okay I said. Since we had time to kill and everyone was hungry we decided to go to Downtown Disney to eat… So MissSMIG, HollyLynne and I changed into our shorts and off the bus stop.

The Downtown Disney bus came within 5 minutes… to be honest we didn’t have any trouble with DISNEY transportation… our longest wait was about 15 minutes which was alright because I was in DISNEY.

So off the DTD we went, we get off the bus and I look around and just smile, I am in DISNEY… it just hit me… I am in DISNEY!!!

It was about 11ish when we got there… we decide to have lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express… the food was amazing, I can’t remember what we had, what I do remember is that MissSMIG wanted EARLS so she walked over to EARLS to get her favorite sandwich in the world, the Chicken Florentine. She comes back a few minutes later with a puss on her face. It seems that EARLS took the Chicken Florentine off the menu, she was really upset, but we fixed that later that week.

So after lunch (MissSMIG finally ate, Grandma chicken nugget, some of DH pasta and some of HollyLynne 4 cheese mac) and we were off to World of DISNEY… both girls wanted to find a bag for the trip and I had to get a new one, the one I got from the HOST conference the strap was ready to snap so DH said “Go get a new bag”… I just love my husband, I was also try to find something special for DH for our anniversary and unfortunately I didn’t.

Anyway, we walked thru the World of Disney, it was so crowded and I don’t like crowded, I was trying to find a bag for MissSMIG, so I really wasn’t looking for me, but I really couldn’t take the crowded, so we finally all regroup and get out of WOF and walked around a bite and wondered into the Pooh’s Corner. That where I find my bag, well kind my bag, but DH wasn’t sure if I should get a bag like I have because of the strap, so I found another one I really like bought that one, as I was waiting to check out, MissSMIG spots a bag (actually the one I was originally going to buy) and decide that she wanted that one. So we got our bags and decide to go back to CSR, so I called the number and found out that my parents room was ready, which was great, at least we could get our carry-ons and go in the pool.

We get to CRS get our carry-ons and by the time we get to registration, DH is there with our room number too… WOOHOO our rooms are ready, I asked the bell captain if my parents could get a ride to their room, since our room was right next door to my parents, the girls and I hitched a ride with the bell person, DH wanted to wonder… we were in Rancho’s section room 7557 my parents were in 7558. I was so excited, getting a 3rd floor upper room overlooking the water.

Well we pull into the Rancho section B – follow the Bell person, I was looking for the elevator when he stops on a ground level room, kind of overlooking a rock not the water… well if I turn my head just right I can see the quite pool… I said to the girls “Jimmy isn’t going to be happy with this one”. So I try my key… nada… we try MissSMIG’s key… nada… we try HollyLynne’s key and again NADA… I was starting to get upset, what is going on… I ask my Mom and Dad to try their keys and of course the same thing happens… NADA!!! Just as I was ready to erupt my DH came and ask him if he wants to me to go to the front desk and check and see what the heck is going on we were told at CHECK IN that we were getting 3rd floor rooms not ground floor rooms and I wanted a view of the water, not of a ROCK… he said forget about it – just take the rooms and enjoy… OKAY… relax Dee you are in DISNEY. The bellman opens my parents door and I noticed that their luggage is there… That is wonderful, Mom wanted to change her clothes, it was getting a little warm for what she had on. And like DISNEY magic, we turn around and our luggage is being rolled up… Oh HollyLynne was so happy she had to get into her bag for an outfit change.

Oh back to our room keys… by now is was about 3pm, and I knew that I had the Meet & Greet in EPCOT at 4 pm, the bellman said that he would have the front desk send up new keys for us, so I decide that to unpack, so I got MissSMIG and DH done, two draws down, and then I realized, there are only 3 draws… oh well I am used to living out of my suitcase, but DH said no, I am to unpack and since we had connecting rooms with my parents HollyLynne took over a draw in my parents room. 3:30 came no keys so I called the front desk about the room keys they said they knew nothing about it… of course I was not happy… so I waited 3:45 and no keys… so I called the front desk again, and was told they would send them up shortly, I told the girl that I was told that I would have they keys here within 10 minutes and that was over 30 minutes ago.

Since we had to get to EPCOT for the meet and greet (and my friends are waiting in EPCOT – they heard the story) – anyway, MissSMIG, HollyLynne, DH and I go to the front desk, they apologize for the inconvenience she cut us new room keys, I told the girl at the front desk that we were suppose to meet people in EPCOT right now, so she arranged to have us driven to EPCOT… I said good by to DH, he and my parents were to meet us around 6pm in Mexico, we had ADRs at Tutto’s (OMG more about that later). Anyway, we get into the van we get driven to EPCOT (I told the girls it was a magical moment)… we run to Mexico looking for Lisa, Kim, Brandon, Sue, Dawn, etc. Anyway, get into the gate and of course, I see a photopass person, so of course, I have to get my card and get our first picture… we started our trip with a picture of the girls and myself and lets say we ended with a kiss.

So the three of us are off to Mexico… we get there and I look at MissSMIG… did we miss them, Nikki did you bring the Mickey Heads, just then, Kim, Brandon and Lisa all appear… OH MY HUGS all around… it was wondering, we chatted for awhile, Brandon was with his best friend (Brandon I am so sorry I am really bad with names) but they were off to MNSSHP party… Kim and her crew – Lisa and her gang… (HollyLynne just fell in love with Ty) – and Dawn called and she was on her way.

Well, I am still loading pictures into photobucket and had a headache so I am going to lay down for a while.

[nanu57v]

Welcome back! You sure are detailed!

[dac921]

Most people think I am just insane - But if you want I can only give you the highlights and not the downside to the vacation.

[Dana]

Sounds like a confusing first day. Hope it smoothed out from here on.

[tinkerbelle24]

WOW.. What a start. I cant wait to read some more tonight. Keep it coming Dee!

[gabes_mommy]

I can't wait to hear more! Did you like CSR? I am thinking of staying there someday.

[dac921]

WE LOVED CSR.. infact DH and I will be going back in 3 years to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversay and we will probably stay at the CSR again.

[hanwill]

Please give the details... we love to know what is going on with everyone else's trips...
I wonder about the people that I see when I am there...

Great trip so far!

[Jennatrz]

Loving your extra detailed TR so far. Still waiting to find out what you got for your anniversary. Oh and Can't wait to find out what you thought about Tutto. We have been wanting to try it.

[senacm]

Sounds like a fantastic trip so far....can't wait to read more.

[tiggerlover1971]

sounds like so much fun so far ...

[timkelmom]

Great start Dee. Don't worry, we want to hear it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have bad stuff in mine too. Hope all is going well in Savannah.

[Tinkfan]

Welcome Home Dee!!!!! Lovin the TR so far. And yes, please give all the details. It will be a while until I get to go back and I have a need to feel like I was there, the good, the bad and the ugly

[Alaine]

Great reading your TR. The part about your daughter wanting a new pair of jeans sounds just like my 12 year old! She thinks she needs an entire new waredrobe to go to WDW.

[MickeyEars]

Great TR so far, I was laughing at the part about your daughter having so many outfits and then changing when you got to the room. My daughter is only six and she tries to do that, I now have to tell her 1 outfit a day. I can just imagine what she's going to be like when she's a teenager.