Trip Report There's Something About Mary...and it's called DRAMA!

I think it's time to get this thing started...hoping it will help my mood and sanity levels. For those that missed the PTR (http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/lawdy-lawdy-look-whos-turning-40-ptr.867181/) - the early pages should help you catch up on the bulk of the big details, and for those that missed our problems from day 1 of our trip (http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/how-not-to-start-your-wdw-vacay.873853/ )...well, it kind of speaks for itself. I am going to try and keep this as upbeat as possible, but we have a very long road ahead to fix things...so, please bear with me as I vent in between some of the magic.

September 18th

I left work early on the 18th so I could pick up the girls at school and have them with us when we took our dog to get boarded. This is our Daisy Doggy...

What's really funny, the pic above was taken with Sammie's Fisher Price plastic kiddie camera!

After getting the dog situated at boarding, we went home, had some dinner, and the heavy duty packing started. I'd actually started packing my things on the 17th, but now it was time to really focus on the girls. I let them sleep in the guest bedroom that night so I could pack all of their stuff without keeping them up...i.e. so I could pack all of the surprise outfits without spoiling anything. It was A TON of packing, but I finished up around 1am. I had thought about setting up the outfits and bags in the guest room for the reveal, but Sammie got up to use the bathroom right around that time- soooooo, I decided to wait until just before the big reveal.

September 19

I guess I got close to 4.5 hours of sleep (good for the night before a travel day)...and at 6am, it was finally time to set up and reveal the big secret. I got everything set up and then DH came in to help me. The video I took is pretty awful and sleepy girls don't make for really good surprises, but this is the vid I took and I swear...they were REALLY happy.



You can all now probably appreciate what it's like getting these two up for school each morning.

Actually, the girls were super quick to get dressed once it really sunk in what was going on. They were even good with posing for pictures before hitting the road...

We loaded up my SUV and hit the road...sadly, we wouldn't get far. The accident took place about 2.5 miles from our house. I really don't want to rehash all of the scary details, but when we realized we'd all be able to walk away from this horror - we had to decide if we'd continue with this WDW trip. While the girls' initial screams and cries were from the accident itself, they morphed into cries that they wouldn't get to see their grandma and grandpa. We usually try and visit every 3 months, but we pushed it a bit longer b/c of this trip. It was for this reason DH and I decided to push forward with the trip even if the odds weren't in our favor. I guess I just figured getting everyone to "the most magical place on earth" could be therapeutic. Don't get me wrong...I love that the EMTs and lead sheriff on the scene were super lovey with the girls - they really needed something super positive...so, Disney it was!

So, after I took care of the most important initial phone calls, I got Southwest on the line (at the scene of the wreck) and started working with them to rebook the outbound flight. We were yelling over ambulance sirens and traffic, but after about 20 min, we were rebooked from our 9:15am departure to a 3:55pm departure. They also said DH could ask for a blue card for pre-board (we were now in group C after paying to be in group A on the original flight)...while it's gotten better, he had some leg pain that day and was limping from the aches. The timing also worked well since it gave me time to go to the collision center, talk to the various insurance companies, etc. My wonderful MIL was also kind enough to pick up DH and the girls from the scene. This enabled him to get his car and she was able to love on the girls for a while until we were ready to regroup and get travel plans rolling again.

While our flight out of Houston was delayed close to 3 hours due to weather and mechanical issues (not helping Kendall, who was now terrified that the plane would crash), but we got off the ground a little after 6pm and we were on our way...

Sammie sat with DH on the way to FL-- with Pooh, of course...

I had Kendall...

...and we spent the entire flight doing this big word search on her tablet.

We flew into terminal A and DME is in terminal B. It was after the girls' bed time, so we opted to just get our baggage. Soooooo, we went down to terminal A baggage and then lugged it over to DME in terminal B. Thankfully, Kendall has overcome her fear of escalators, so minus losing her shoe for a while on one of them we were in good shape.

I think the CMs manning the DME entrance could read all of the stress and worry on my face, because they promised me pixie dust and magic from that point on. We had our Magic Bands on at this point, but I had my vouchers out so in the interest of time and sanity, they just used those. They directed us to the line for AKL and while we were let on the bus right away...we were so late that the bus was accommodating a number of resorts from various lines. Still...Kendall and I wound up with this prime spot!

I swear, I got choked up when I looked up and saw the screen...like that "we're really on our way" moment.

It took a while for them to load up the bus since they were waiting on people to come in from all of these late or delayed flights, but it wasn't long before we were off.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I love MSEP. Was a little sad we missed it this go around. Your pics are helping.

I totally understand. I always get kind of down if I miss one of the bigger things like this, but it happens. There's always next time

Love reading your TR! It is full of great tips for newbies like me and the pictures are beautiful!
I tried to catch up last night when I went to bed but before I could read two sentences DH came in and started talking. Normally he is not a real talkative guy, but wouldn't you know it just when I am trying to read your wonderful TR and feed my addiction he wants to have a full out conversation! Grrr.
Anyway...I'm all caught up now and waiting for more!

Thank you! You're trying to read sounds like me trying to write. I'll start trying to post a few updates and then someone wants to talk or needs something. TRs can be very helpful if you've never been or haven't been in a while. I had a 12 year WDW hiatus before we went on our 2010 trip and coming on here was really helpful. I should have more in a little bit. Thanks for reading!!!

Awwww!!!! Kendall lost a tooth!!! Now you DO know your Mom was right, Tink is good friends with the Tooth Fairy!! Even has her on speed dial!! Sigh, I LOVE Ohana!!! The back scratcher!! Yummm!! Ron and I had sword fights (well back scratcher fights actually) at Tambu Lounge last Fall LOL MSEP!! You have me all excited to see this!! This time next Friday, I will be home!! Loving your report!!

Thanks!!! She was too funny with that tooth. She honestly thought that the Tooth Fairy wouldn't be able to track her down since her official Tooth Fairy pillow was back at home. I had really hoped DH would also order a back scratcher so we could have scratcher wars, but I think he was predictable that night and had scotch. I kept thinking- you can have scotch any time...have a fun drink! Your trip is almost here!!!

 

[Jessica Meier]

We were already talking about our next trip tonight on the way to a Halloween party. So there is hope!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I'm going to spare you long winded drama tonight, but I did want to share that I got the opportunity to call the insurance adjustor out on her "ooops" the other day. Their check to cover my deductible should have been issued and mailed on Monday...as I noted, I got an "ooooops" when I called on Wednesday since she forgot to check her faxes for the last 2 days. Well, I called today, and it still hadn't gone out because she forgot to get it approved. So, I threw it all back in her face and her responses...insert snarky tone...I really doubt I said ooooops. To which I said, "uh- no ya did, and I have it on a recorded line." And when I asked about overnighting my $ (since most places now do electronic payments), she said they don't do any of that. BS IMO. I said maybe they should consider it when they continue to screw up, but the check conveniently got approved and went out in the regular mail. Now, I know this kind of stuff happens, but still bothersome.

On a positive note...my thermal scans for my back show a lot of improvement.

End Vent

Back to Sept 22nd........

OK- so before I jump into things tonight…I remembered that we’d posted our MSEP vids from 2010 on YouTube. We broke it down…probably a bit too much…because I hadn’t been cleared for lengthier videos at that point. In any event, this is part 2 and you can see our interaction with that one turtle in this segment of the vid. I can also see that there was one more snail back in 2010 and you can see the caterpillar that’s been missing of late.



I guess we didn't call him over after all, but I'm gathering he heard my turtle remark to the girls. Sorry for all of the dialogue, but DH and I were in man to man mode with the girls and we were each explaining the parade to the child we were monitoring. Kind of annoying to hear it, but there was a point- especially since the girls were 2 and 4 at the time and not fully understanding. I guess it’s also because DH and I both have very loud speaking voices. Also funny how you can hear him calling me out on forgetting to take pics…I really meant to (and did from that point on), but I was just so happy- I forgot. Side note...I really need to take more video!


OK, back to 2013…we have another bee…we let others play with him...sharing the bee...

Looks like Cinderella is coming up next…I see MICE!!! Eeeeeeek!!!

Ok, they're really good mice. I mean, who wouldn't love Suzy, Perla, Jacques, and Gus?

And here's Cindy...and as DH always likes to point out...carried in her haunted carriage that must be pulled by ghost horses. Clearly- he wants a horse.

It’s funny and kind of sad…on the girls’ first trip, this was a big highlight for Kendall as Cindy was tops for her at that point.

I have lots and lots of pics of the back of the Fairy Godmother. Score.

I do love all of the CMs that go along with the regal procession.

The stepsisters and Prince Charming are pretty good too.

More of the royal entourage...

OK…now here’s a huge point of embarrassment for me…seriously! We're talking one giant, many years in the making, face palm. This piece comes at the tail end of Cindy’s section and just before Peter Pan. For whatever reason, my brain has always looked at it and thought “Big Ben.” DH turned to me and informed me that I’m sorely mistaken and that it’s part of Cinderella. And I’m thinking “HOW?” Yeah- duh Sandy…it’s the clock tower on the Prince’s castle. Yeah- it’s midnight and all. I guess at least the top section is back on there…it seems to be missing every other time we see the parade in recent years. Still...big 'ol face palm for me.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

OK- now it’s really Peter Pan time…

At least Pan and Hook are on there this night. I know there have been a couple of times where we’ve seen the parade and it was just Peter Pan “dancing” around the ship. I’ll take him faux fighting Captain Hook any day.

Love Mr. Smee…

Snow White is up next…because here’s a blurry yet sweet Dopey…

JEWELS !!!

I think these are the donkey boys from Pinocchio. Even with the bright flash of the person across the street, it’s still really hard to see them.

Several of them actually came up to the girls to say hi. It was sweet, but the girls weren’t expecting it and it kind of shocked them at first. I recall my mom and I even getting a happy birthday here or there from a few of the donkey boys.


Hello Pinocchio!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

More donkey boys.

I take all these pics yet I think Pinocchio is one of the freakiest Disney movies- ever. I bought it because it's a Disney classic, but I think it's the only Disney movie in our collection that has single digit views.

I see a dragon…Hi Elliott!!!

Elliott is probably my favorite part of the parade since the demise of the original Dumbo section…he’s big, he's got cute little wings, and he snorts smoke. What more could you possibly want???

OK- I'll spare you from the rest of the smoking dragon pics. Ultimately, my favorite Elliott pic was from our 2012 trip, but still fun to go through all of them from this trip.

I was a bit bummed tonight though … it was just Elliott…i.e. no Pete up there. Kind of strange to see the float going through with just an empty seat up top. I guess at least there's no Pete audio when Pete's not present.


Time for a star spangled ending…

As I was trying to enjoy the ending of MSEP, a great debate was raging on our little section of curb in MK…to watch Wishes or ride rides? I love Wishes…I mean LOVE Wishes. I had this vision of all of us standing together as one big happy family – me getting all teary eyed – and just loving it all. Well, with my brother and SIL off doing their own thing, and my parents choosing to leave after MSEP…it was just the 4 of us. The girls wanted to ride rides, DH said he saw enough Disney fireworks at the Halloween party…so, I was totally outnumbered. I contemplated staying behind to watch it by myself, but Sammie is too young to ride on her own and Kendall is too timid…so it is with great sadness that I have to tell you that there was no Wishes for us this trip. It still really bothers me, but I wasn’t about to force everyone to watch something they weren’t interested in seeing.
So, we followed MSEP…

…and then made our way into…

That's it for tonight folks. I probably won't be able to add more until Sunday- busy weekend

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We were already talking about our next trip tonight on the way to a Halloween party. So there is hope!

Well, that's highly encouraging! I also love your new avatar It wasn't until I enlarged it that I noticed that now all too familiar castle on the backdrop behind Cadence and Sophia.

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

On a positive note...my thermal scans for my back show a lot of improvement.

That's great news! I hope you're feeling better.

OK…now here’s a huge point of embarrassment for me…seriously! We're talking one giant, many years in the making, face palm. This piece comes at the tail end of Cindy’s section and just before Peter Pan. For whatever reason, my brain has always looked at it and thought “Big Ben.” DH turned to me and informed me that I’m sorely mistaken and that it’s part of Cinderella. And I’m thinking “HOW?” Yeah- duh Sandy…it’s the clock tower on the Prince’s castle. Yeah- it’s midnight and all. I guess at least the top section is back on there…it seems to be missing every other time we see the parade in recent years. Still...big 'ol face palm for me.

Don't feel embarrassed. I thought the clock tower was part of the Peter Pan section, too.

That's sad you ended up missing Wishes. It's such a cool show to look forward to.

 

[Jessica Meier]

I watched Wishes twice on our trip so enough for the two of us. Although I could watch it every night and it would never get old.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I think the clock tower is supposed to be the transition between the two. Both Peter Pan and Cinderella feature Clock towers.

Here is the clock tower in Cinderella

Big Ben in Peter Pan

The parade clock -

 

[acrab3t]

To me the clock tower has always been the start of the Peter Pan section. It never registered with me that it was the clock from Cinderella. Now I see it is a good transition from one to the other. Very clever Disney!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

That's great news! I hope you're feeling better.



Don't feel embarrassed. I thought the clock tower was part of the Peter Pan section, too.

That's sad you ended up missing Wishes. It's such a cool show to look forward to.

It's definitely nice to have some positive progress with all of this treatment. I think this is my last week where I need to go 3x.

I think Peter Pan being right after Cinderella in the current incarnation of MSEP adds to the confusion. I was sitting there the other night over a nice rummy drinks thinking that these parts weren't always back to back. Turns out my faint memories of old MSEP were right...Dumbo (among other things) used to fall between Cinderella and Peter Pan...so there used to be a better distinction.

Wishes really gives me the whole "I'm at WDW!" feeling- so it still feels kind of off that we missed it, but sometimes I just have to do what interests the rest of the fam.

I watched Wishes twice on our trip so enough for the two of us. Although I could watch it every night and it would never get old.

That's how I am...I could watch it every night and still love it. Oh well...not much I can do.

I think the clock tower is supposed to be the transition between the two. Both Peter Pan and Cinderella feature Clock towers.

Here is the clock tower in Cinderella

Big Ben in Peter Pan

The parade clock -

With the Dumbo section now gone...I think that's exactly what they're doing.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

To me the clock tower has always been the start of the Peter Pan section. It never registered with me that it was the clock from Cinderella. Now I see it is a good transition from one to the other. Very clever Disney!

Definitely clever...although, also a symptom of the Dumbo section being gone. I guess not much they can do as these things just suffer from age.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I'm going to post a little tonight, but just a little as I'm really tired. This is what happens when we go to parties and pretend like we're 20-somethings. Don't get me wrong...it's a blast...but we pay for it.

OK- so, in my last post we were on our way into Adventureland since my family doesn't appreciate Wishes...or my love of Wishes (yes, I'm still bitter). With the Jungle Cruise down for refurb, the first thing we happened upon that was worth doing to all of us was the Tiki Room.

While the crowds going in with us were pretty light, I honestly expected it to be a little more quiet than it was. I mean, Wishes was about to go off with EMH to follow...Tiki Room just doesn't seem like the attraction that most people would flock to when it comes to banking on lower crowds.


Oh well, we took a seat near our friend, Jose.

Not exactly his best side...

There were actually a few people looking at us funny when we were discussing "waking up Jose." Oh well.

I think this is Fritz..."mein goodness, you're all shtaring at us. Ve better shtart the show rrrrolllling!"

My bird pics always seem to vary, but it's still fun to watch and photograph it all.

The girls!!!

There's our guy again...love him...

And the flowers croon...

I believe we have angered them...

I have to say, Tiki Room is one of the attractions where I really have to force myself not to sing along. I adore the music for this one...combo of the nostalgia and just catchy tunes with some timeless cheesy fun lines. Yet, while we forced ourselves to not sing...we did kind of dance and bob along. At least we were having fun.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I was using my pics to remember the events of this evening. When I got to the next pic, I had no idea where we were. The pic was really dark and all I could see was part of DH's head. It wasn't until I changed the contrast on the picture did I see where we were...

It was then that I remembered how we talked about riding BTMRR at night and how it supposedly enhances the ride. So, we made our way down to the trains...

Again...more people than I would have expected when Wishes was about to go off, but we also didn't have to wait more than a couple of minutes to board a train...

I think Celebrate the Magic was going on while we were on here. I found myself distracted by that and the difference with riding at night...so I didn't take much in the way of pics. In fact, all of my pics were from this point.

I had really hoped someone - like maybe Kendall - would say, "let's go watch Wishes- we've done enough," but everyone wanted to push on with more rides. We hadn't ridden Splash yet this trip ... and it's right there + Dh is big on the Tales of Uncle Remus, so... it was Splash time.

As you'd probably expect, Splash was walk on. I also almost never take pics during this as my camera is typically put up and well protected. I decided to take out my phone in that first section since I could hear Wishes. I was determined to capture something from Wishes during this trip- even if I couldn't see the whole show. So, here it is...my single pic of Wishes from this trip.

So, we head back inside and I do have to say- I was impressed with Splash post- major refurb. The colors were more vibrant and it was nice to see the Laughing Place portion really working. We did have 1 big problem though... Kendall. She started to freak out. She suddenly wanted no part of being on Splash. I don't know if it was because we were riding it at night, the accident or what, but she was terrified. She's ridden this a number of times, but she was sobbing and scared. It also didn't help that we had a bit of a stop before the lift hill for the big drop. I did my best to talk her through it, but ultimately...getting past that part was the only thing that helped. She was pretty upset at that point, but I just promised we wouldn't go on again.


What also bugged me...when we were stopped before the big drop...I could hear Wishes. I could hear it was nearly the end of Wishes. Because of the stupid stop, we missed the finale portion by maybe about 2 seconds. Seriously, we got to the top just as the last bits of the finale turned to mere smoke. How cool it would have been if we were just 2 seconds earlier and the finale was peaking as we were about to drop. Oh well.


We had another stop when we got to the bottom. The lights even came on for a bit. We were kind of wondering if we'd be evacuated. We started moving after about 5-10 min, but poor Kendall was terrified we'd drop again. Not sure where this was coming from as she knew there were no more real drops, but she was just so scared.


We eventually got off Splash and made our way to my favorite. Yes, like most WDW fans- I have a lot of favorites, but this is my #1. Yes, it's time for PotC!!!! What's funny, it does have a nice link to IASW. Alice Davis did the costumes for IASW as well as POTC...so a nice little link.

I was also getting kind of tired at this point, so my picture quality always seems to suffer when I get like this.

Not even sure why I ever bother trying to take pics of this...

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Kendall was still freaking out about stuff. She knows the drop in this ride is nothing, but she was still in panic mode and now Sammie was getting upset too. They were much better after the drop, but I've never seen them have such nervous moments on this one.


My next pic reminded me of a discussion I had with a coworker...

A girl I work with was at WDW back in April. It was not her first visit, but I think she looked and listened more this time around. While they had a nice time, she was very bothered by the ride in Mexico in Epcot and was equally bothered by this section of PotC. She thought the dialogue and actions here were highly inappropriate. Now, I'm thinking to myself "well, it's already been edited and watered down from the original." I also was thinking how it's about pirates and not exactly upstanding citizens. Oh well.

More tired pics in PotC...

When we got off of PotC, DH was really parched and hoping to find a place for a drink...which is not always easy during EMH. He went by several carts, but they were all closing up.

We popped by here, but all we were able to get was a dark yet cute pic of Orange Bird.

I really didn't want to deal with the line, but there weren't any other nearby options and DH was in one of those "I need something now" modes...so, we got to say ALOOOOHA!!!

We knew the line was long because everyone wanted Dole Whips. DH just wanted a soda, but I figured if we're waiting- I might at least get something to make it worth it. So, I started debating "float or plain whip?"

It's funny, there was a guy in line behind us who was taking orders from his wife. While I didn't get the impression that he was a newbie, I don't think he's ever had a Dole Whip of any sort since his wife and like 7 other family members were eventually waiting for him just outside the line...and the wife had all kinds of super particular instructions.

So, we got to the front of the line (we should have gotten in the line on the right side- would have been MUCH faster) and I decided to go for the float...

I've decided that I prefer a plain old pineapple Dole Whip...unless rum is involved...and then I'll go for the float.

I had really hoped the girls had the energy to pop over to Tomorrowland to do our traditional end of the night ride on the Peoplemover, but it wasn't in the cards. Both girls were pretty much sleep walking out of the park. They pretty much slept on me the entire way back to AKL.

They're blurry, but here's at least proof that Sammie was walking on her own on our way back to the room.

I think this is Kendall in this one as well...

I know...hard to tell, but I recall taking it so I could show the girls that they could make it nearly all day. It was 11 something at this point and we'd been in the parks since before 8am...pretty good for our first stroller free trip.


The girls were exhausted and pretty much just crawled right into bed. I do have to say that bunks aren't as great when the kids are this tired. i.e. it would be so much easier if they could just jump into a standard height bed and be out. It also created some problems for middle of the night trips to the bathroom.


I think everyone but me slept like rocks this night. I, on the other hand, was turning into a wreck. Some of it was the DME packet staring at me on the nightstand. Nobody likes that reminder that your trip is almost over, but the accident was making the sadness over that last day more intense than I'd ever imagined it could be. I was dealing with anxiety from it since I knew the phone calls would start up again on Monday. The weekend was bliss since all of the people with the insurance companies and the collision shop only work on weekdays (in fact, that's how all of the weekends have been since the accident), but the phone would start ringing the next day and I'd have to go back to balancing vacation with trying to start fixing this mess. There was also that realization that I wasn't just leaving Disney the next day...I was leaving Disney to deal with a nightmare situation. i.e. it's hard enough to go back to the real world, but it's exceptionally hard to prep to leave when you know there are going to be a ton of hurdles. So, I paced a lot that night. It was also a slow night off the balcony- no animals near our room to help me relax.


Coming up...our longer than average last day.

 

[Tiggerish]

Sorry to tune in just as you're feeling sad describing your last day of vacation, but:

I always thought that was Big Ben, too.

And, my trip last month was the first time I didn't see my favorite fireworks show, Illuminations. So we have those two things in common. (miss the old waving smiley)

It'll be Monday morning too soon!

 

[RandomPrincess]

Curious what bothered her about the Mexico ride?

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

This is what happens when we go to parties and pretend like we're 20-somethings. Don't get me wrong...it's a blast...but we pay for it.

Tell me about it!

OK- so, in my last post we were on our way into Adventureland since my family doesn't appreciate Wishes...or my love of Wishes (yes, I'm still bitter).

I couldn't help but laugh at your comment. Just let it go...

There were actually a few people looking at us funny when we were discussing "waking up Jose." Oh well.
I have to say, Tiki Room is one of the attractions where I really have to force myself not to sing along. I adore the music for this one...combo of the nostalgia and just catchy tunes with some timeless cheesy fun lines. Yet, while we forced ourselves to not sing...we did kind of dance and bob along. At least we were having fun.

Love, love, love Tiki Room! Thanks for bringing us along!

 

[cfry06]

Just discovered my husband and I in the background of one of your AK photos! Too funny!

 

[fractal]

That would have been awesome if you would have caught the end of Wishes right before the drop!

I'm sure your friend is a nice person, but she need to chill out regarding PotC. Pirates are not politically correct.