Introductions...and Day 1: Getting settled, getting snacks and heading Dowtown
Well, it's been about a week since we got back...I'm almost done editing and uploading pics...and I've channeled my inner Jennings Osborne and covered my house with lights as best as I can...so, I guess it's time to get this trip report rolling. I don't have many pics for this early section, but I promise you----I have a TON of pics...so please be patient.
If you had a chance to read my PTR, this trip was a surprise for my younger daughter's (Sammie) 4th bday. We also have a 6 yr old daughter named Kendall who got her own surprise WDW trip back for her 5th bday. Sadly- the surprise for Sammie kind of fizzled, but by our departure day (Nov 14th) they were bouncing off the ceiling with excitement.
First things first...I had to get our Daisy Doggy to doggy camp.
Yeah, the girls thought it would be fun to put an 'Ohana lei on her...that didn't last long.
There was MAJOR drama with boarding though...like, "am I going to miss my vacay for this?" kind of drama. Essentially, the girl who took my reservation booked me for October instead of November, and they were booked solid b/c my dates included Thanksgiving. It all worked out in the end, but it was a very ugly 45 minutes. Still, with the dog boarded, we were pretty much ready to go.
We hit the road from the Houston area around 8:15pm. The girls were so excited that they actually stayed awake much longer than expected, but they were both out before we crossed into Louisiana. They woke up each time we stopped for gas, but that was fine b/c it served as bathroom breaks for them and the people with the graveyard shifts at the various gas station convenience stores got a kick out of the girls' road trip bed time attire. They were both in Christmas pjs...Kendall an elf and Sammie as Santa. Kendall also had big furry bunny slippers and Sammie had her ladybugs.
I drove from Houston to the Alabama state line. I couldn't even tell you what time it was when DH took over for me. I went a bit crazy between eastern Louisiana and through Mississippi. I was drinking Diet Mountain Dew and had a couple 20oz diet Red Bulls + peanut butter M&Ms. Let's just say I was WIRED! Around midnight, several stations switched over to holiday music...so just picture me all energized, having a holiday sing a long in the driver's seat, dancing in my seat...and all while everyone else slept! Yeah- it's a good thing there was next to nobody on the road.
The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful. DH and I switched off a lot after that just so I could get in some naps. The griping came as we got closer to Orlando...he hates tolls. Still, it was the sign that we were almost there. I was hoping to get some great video of our arrival, but this was the trip where nothing choreographed would work for us. So, you have a pic just before we see the glorious Maingate...
Even my first arrival pic at Yacht Club was pretty pathetic...
I guess at least the pics I was able to get improved...
What really happened, DH and I had a misunderstanding about signs, where to go and what I'd be doing. In a nutshell, I didn't know he was expecting me to navigate. I did take a video (deleted), but it wasn't fit for all audiences.
We parked my vehicle and went to check in. I didn't want to mess with the bags if the room wasn't ready. It was about 3pm and I'd listed our estimated arrival time as 11:30am when doing online checkin. Not sure if it helped, but our room was ready. Which was good because I was a little let down that the guy who checked us in wasn't very enthusiastic or personable. So, since the room was ready we opted to check out the room before figuring out the bag situation. i.e. if it was close enough, we might bring in our own bags. Too bad our room was a million miles away...I swear, any farther and we'd be staying at the Dolphin.
The room was really nice though...a corner room on the 1st floor with a quiet pool from our patio view and a nice water area and lush greenery from our two side windows.
(Sammie likes wearing crazy mismatched socks)
Well, it's been about a week since we got back...I'm almost done editing and uploading pics...and I've channeled my inner Jennings Osborne and covered my house with lights as best as I can...so, I guess it's time to get this trip report rolling. I don't have many pics for this early section, but I promise you----I have a TON of pics...so please be patient.
If you had a chance to read my PTR, this trip was a surprise for my younger daughter's (Sammie) 4th bday. We also have a 6 yr old daughter named Kendall who got her own surprise WDW trip back for her 5th bday. Sadly- the surprise for Sammie kind of fizzled, but by our departure day (Nov 14th) they were bouncing off the ceiling with excitement.
First things first...I had to get our Daisy Doggy to doggy camp.
Yeah, the girls thought it would be fun to put an 'Ohana lei on her...that didn't last long.
There was MAJOR drama with boarding though...like, "am I going to miss my vacay for this?" kind of drama. Essentially, the girl who took my reservation booked me for October instead of November, and they were booked solid b/c my dates included Thanksgiving. It all worked out in the end, but it was a very ugly 45 minutes. Still, with the dog boarded, we were pretty much ready to go.
We hit the road from the Houston area around 8:15pm. The girls were so excited that they actually stayed awake much longer than expected, but they were both out before we crossed into Louisiana. They woke up each time we stopped for gas, but that was fine b/c it served as bathroom breaks for them and the people with the graveyard shifts at the various gas station convenience stores got a kick out of the girls' road trip bed time attire. They were both in Christmas pjs...Kendall an elf and Sammie as Santa. Kendall also had big furry bunny slippers and Sammie had her ladybugs.
I drove from Houston to the Alabama state line. I couldn't even tell you what time it was when DH took over for me. I went a bit crazy between eastern Louisiana and through Mississippi. I was drinking Diet Mountain Dew and had a couple 20oz diet Red Bulls + peanut butter M&Ms. Let's just say I was WIRED! Around midnight, several stations switched over to holiday music...so just picture me all energized, having a holiday sing a long in the driver's seat, dancing in my seat...and all while everyone else slept! Yeah- it's a good thing there was next to nobody on the road.
The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful. DH and I switched off a lot after that just so I could get in some naps. The griping came as we got closer to Orlando...he hates tolls. Still, it was the sign that we were almost there. I was hoping to get some great video of our arrival, but this was the trip where nothing choreographed would work for us. So, you have a pic just before we see the glorious Maingate...
Even my first arrival pic at Yacht Club was pretty pathetic...
I guess at least the pics I was able to get improved...
What really happened, DH and I had a misunderstanding about signs, where to go and what I'd be doing. In a nutshell, I didn't know he was expecting me to navigate. I did take a video (deleted), but it wasn't fit for all audiences.
We parked my vehicle and went to check in. I didn't want to mess with the bags if the room wasn't ready. It was about 3pm and I'd listed our estimated arrival time as 11:30am when doing online checkin. Not sure if it helped, but our room was ready. Which was good because I was a little let down that the guy who checked us in wasn't very enthusiastic or personable. So, since the room was ready we opted to check out the room before figuring out the bag situation. i.e. if it was close enough, we might bring in our own bags. Too bad our room was a million miles away...I swear, any farther and we'd be staying at the Dolphin.
The room was really nice though...a corner room on the 1st floor with a quiet pool from our patio view and a nice water area and lush greenery from our two side windows.
(Sammie likes wearing crazy mismatched socks)
I highly recommend grabbing some hot cocoa (even if it's warm outside) and sipping on it while watching the lights. It adds to the festive feeling.
