PART “TU”
Apologies for taking awhile before beginning the unabridged version of this trip report. I have been living in a lethargic “fog” the last 2+ weeks, thanks to the longest-lasting cold I have ever battled. Although I am not yet fully recovered, I think I have finally moved out of the “pitiful hot mess” stage (but you’ll need to ask Woody for confirmation.
)
I even slept through the 4.4 mag earthquake that shook our area at 4:15 this morning.
Being sick on vacation was hard. I was determined to “power through” and for the most part I did....which is probably why I was bedridden for two days after returning home. But I loved (almost) every moment of our holiday extravaganza and am looking forward to sharing the full story.
C’mon everybody, here we go!
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
The timing worked out this year for a long holiday vacation instead of two short trips. For the last couple years Em and I have celebrated her birthday the first weekend of December; then I’ve returned with Woody for a few days later in the month, always booked with a Bounceback offer.
But the earliest Bounceback date for 2018 (with availability at Wilderness Lodge) was 12/19 ~ a little too close to Christmas for our liking. So I did the unthinkable.....I booked rack rate for the week after Thanksgiving, hoping a discount would pop up. (Spoiler alert: no pop) Em was able to secure time off, which meant she could spend another birthday at Disney.....this time with Woody too!
I jumped on cheap airfare when our dates were released. My brain has a way of “forgetting” the recent hassles we’ve had flying.....and the fact that flying doesn’t always mean “faster”. Exactly 24 hours before departure I checked in.....and was rewarded with boarding group B, 50 & 51. B means back of the plane, with a good probability of no two seats together. Woody wasn’t happy. He doesn’t understand why we don’t pay for Early Bird Check In.
Sure I’ll pay rack rate for a deluxe resort, but don’t ask me to spend $40 each way for Early Bird. That fee annoys me!!
And being we live in metro Atlanta we had to allow ourselves plenty of time to get to the airport on a weekday morning. We were treated with a gorgeous sunrise for our effort.
It was 0 degrees Celsius (
@amjt660) when we left for the airport and we wouldn’t be landing in Florida warmth, since Heat Miser had allowed Snow Miser to send a cold front to Orlando.
We had no traffic, and as I mentioned in the LIVE report I was tempted to tell Woody to bypass the airport exit and continue driving.
If only.
After 20 minutes in the TSA pre-check line we boarded the plane train for Concourse C. Then after another 20 minutes in line at Chick Fil A we were finally able to eat breakfast.
(Worth it,
@Rista1313!)
We spent the next
2 hours sitting at our gate waiting on our plane (delayed due to de-icing in Pittsburgh.) Woody couldn’t believe how many wheelchair guests were waiting to board. He’s flown a lot and this was the most he’s ever seen.
Woody and I were able to find two seats together at the back of the plane. The lady in the seat directly behind me gave herself a manicure during the flight (nothing like the smell of nail polish when crammed in close quarters) ~ all the while my feet had to be perched on the handle of her rolling bag, which she never bothered to retract when she stuffed it under my seat.
The joys of flying.
) once I return home. After all, what else will I have to do in December? 
go-to.
