Wow I am soooo late on this! I'm so sorry. Wedding planning is (almost) as involved as Disney vacation planning! :ROFLOL:Ok so here we go!
Day 1: Departure day!
Being the mean mommy that I am, I took off work this day, but made my little man go to school. Boo, I know. As I was told multiple times. But, with the promise that the car would be loaded to go, and he would be picked up a little early at 2pm, he went (although reluctantly). I had of course been up since the crack of dawn, making sure all packing was finalized and lugging our bags to the living room so they would be ready to load. I then drove the 20ish miles south to the town Steph lives, so we could take care of some necessities, like mani/pedis, and breakfast for champions.
Yum. We then got our mani/pedis, which just so happened to be the WORST mani AND pedi I have ever gotten in my life. So, I will not be returning to this place.
After a quick run to the Wal (Mart of course), it was time to head back the 20ish miles to my house to load up and head out! We picked up Brett at 2pm sharp and got on the road to the closest International airport, Lambert, which is in St. Louis. Which is also 2+ hours away. We live in the boonies I tell you! With it being a Friday afternoon, we wanted to have PLENTY of time to get to the airport for our 6:55pm flight. We even took an alternate route around the city just in case. And someone didn't make it very far haha.
We had to make a quick potty stop at this welcome center that I have NEVER seen, I guess since I usually just drive through the city.
Got to the terminal in PLENTY of time, and checked our luggage at the curbside check in, and went to find a parking lot. Of course, the airport's economy lot was "full" the guy told me, but "we'll be happy to refer you to the intermediate lot, which is the same distance away, albeit way more expensive." Um, no thanks. He didn't "exactly" say that, but I could read between the lines. So off to find an off airport property economy lot. Which, mind you, I have never had to do, as I have always had rides to the airport. It blows my mind how much they charge to PARK your car. With noone in it. Finally found one on the other side of the freeway, in the lot behind a Hampton Inn. $7/day. Woo! But then have to start the process of: finding a spot, unloading the car, rechecking the car, getting your luggage to the front (a guy on a golf cart did pick us up though), waiting for a shuttle, getting on the shuttle, waiting for more people so the shuttle is full, getting to the airport, getting off the shuttle, blah blah blah. Plus, they dropped off at the main terminal first, and we were the east terminal (the Southwest terminal). By the time we got through security (which is NOT bad, as Southwest is the only carrier in this terminal except one day a week I think) it was around 6:45!
It's a good thing we left at 2 instead of the originally planned 3pm! Over 4 hours it took us to make a normally 2 hour trip. Our flight was delayed until about 7:30, so we had time to grab some food.
She will hate me for this one...
Oh, seeing this picture reminds me. Steph had ordered all 3 of us matching "I'm Going To Walt Disney World" t-shirts from the Disney Store, so we wore them on departure day. NOONE could tell where we were going, I'm sure lol.
Flight was uneventful, and it was late when we got to Orlando. We took the "pretend monorail" to the main terminal.
And waited for our bags.
Now that I think about it, it took a while for our bags this time. At the time I was just thinking "please don't let my bag be burned and melted again." Luckily, none of our bags had been set on fire haha.
Then we meandered to the rental car places. National desk was closed (of course), but the kiosks were open. I had reserved a car before we left, securing a VERY good discount of $45 for a full-size car. With the damage waiver and taxes, it came to around $80 for the one day, which I thought was decent. When I checked into the kiosk, the total came to over $130, and I lost my mind. It took FOREVER to track down a worker, who argued with me (although I had the rental receipt in my vacation book) that the $130 was correct, but he would get an Alamo guy to look at it. He, too, argued with me, until I AGAIN whipped out my "book" and showed him the agreement. He tried to say that was without taxes, but I showed him where the taxes had been already added and asked what kind of tax is $50?! At one point I threatened to call a cab, as it HAD to be cheaper than what they were charging me. He then backed down stating "I will take care of it for you, and charge you only the $80 price you say" like he was doing me a flippin favor or something! Ugh. I was SO mad. But I said thank you, and made my way out to pick out our car. Or, rather, Brett picked out our car. A Chevy HHR which I REALLY liked driving!
I had borrowed my mom's Garmin before we left, just for this reason of getting us FROM the airport TO the Crowne Plaza Universal, so late at night. This proved to be pointless, as 1) it took half the drive to figure out where we were and load, and 2) after it did, Steph STILL got us lost twice, looking at it. Her directionaly priveleges were quickly revoked. I gave them back later in the trip, and they were again revoked. We FINALLY made it, and I went to check in.
Being as we were staying in a 14ish story hotel, I had called a few weeks in advance and requested the highest floor possible so we could see stuff. When I checked in, she said "5th floor." I explained that we had requested a high floor, and she shrugged her shoulders at me, and said "5th floor." OOOOOOOOK. Nice girl apparently. I was so tired I didn't even argue, and we dragged all of our bags to our 5th floor room. When we get there, it was a king bed. There were 2 3/4 people (since he is now almost to my shoulders he counts as 3/4 instead of 1/2). I went BACK down and explained we were given a king bed for 3 people. She pulled up my reservation, and said "well that's what they have you booked as, a king bed." OOOOOOOOK, well that isn't right, as my reservation is for 3 people. "Well, ma'am, I don't know what to tell you, as we booked you for a king." Smoke is about to roll out of my ears. It is UNACCEPTABLE and it SHOULD NOT have been booked that way, and I don't know what to tell you except FIX IT! We were given a 2 queen room. On the 6th floor haha.
It is now AFTER midnight. We showered, and got in bed. As soon as we get to sleep, there is a knock at the door. I ignored it the first time, but they knocked again, louder. I answered it, and it was a guy with a birthday cake. I forgot I told them it was Brett's birthday. Nice gesture, but 1am? Seriously? Ugh. Oh well, we had a few bites, and went back to bed.
Next post, Day 2: Islands of Adventure!
. So I need this trip report to have something to look forward to other than wedding dress shopping! :wave:
