The Agony and the Ecstasy and how “We’ll be back in November” became our mantra About This Page:

[graygables]

My Dad has always told me, “You’ll learn the lesson the easy way or you’ll learn it the hard way, but either way you WILL learn.” I seem to be taking the hard way around learning some lessons. Most of my TR s end with my “memos to self” that usually includes something along the lines of “it matters whom you go with”. Why I can’t seem to get this memo through my thick skull is beyond me.

We left 8/21 for me to do a show in Tulsa/visit family. Our departure was sheer chaos due to the fact that my 11yo had an unexpected allergic reaction to the dentist’s latex gloves during her routine checkup the week before and I spent a lot of time at the doctor/pharmacist/urgent care, and tending to her general suffering. As such, I was VERY far behind on getting show prep done and wound up chucking everything (including entire wardrobes) in the trailer to deal with later. We had an uneventful trip to Tulsa and I was able to get things done that I needed to in time for set up the next day. The show in Tulsa ROCKED and I had a great time. I sold out of quite a bit, so I spent the next few days in a frenzy trying to arrange new designs and get t-shirts shipped to my printer, then on to me at the Contemporary to be there in time for the WDW Scrapper’s Dream Vacation.

My mother and 19yo were joining me on this leg. The 19yo had just finished her WDW College Program and wanted to go back before school starts up to establish her seasonal part time status to maintain her seniority and all that. My mother just was tagging along. Ugh. I opted to drive down over 2 nights/3 days first to make it easier on 5 females in a mini-van and second, to get to the Animal Kingdom Villas fairly early in the day to let us have a chance to enjoy the resort since we were only there 2 nights. I road trip in a certain way. I take one small “hotel bag” so I don’t have to cart it all in for a one-nighter. I get up, fill up, grab breakfast and GO. G and O. I drive until the bladder or gas tank gives out, fill up, grab food if it’s lunchtime and GO. Dinner is usually a sit-down by or in our hotel. I let Dds swim, go to bed by 10 and am up at 7am, on the road by 745. My mother/19yo know this. I tell them beforehand again that this is the way we will travel. The whole first day, “Oh, let’s stop at that winery!” (we don’t drink wine). “Let’s stop at the pearl place!” (no, thanks). “Let’s stop at…” I was called a “fuddy-duddy” and a “party pooper” more times than I could count. Each night, my mother called my Dad and whined about the “drill sergeant” making them have lights out so early. Sorry, a long day in the car and we’re TIRED, 10pm is NOT unreasonable. I was up at 7am. I was ready to go by 720. Funny how we never got out of the hotel before 930. The last night/morning of the drive was the worst. “Why are we in such a rush if the room won’t be ready until 4?” I kept explaining that I’d rather sit around the AKL pool/lobby than sit around a Holiday Inn Express room, thank you very much. I got to hear griping all the way to AKL that day b/c I’d “dragged [them] out of bed so early” (8am).

We arrived at AKV on Labor Day about noonish and checked in. Our 1BR villa wasn’t ready yet, but we got our DDP room keys and I had the swim bag. We went to the Mara for lunch and left my mom there to putz while Dds and I went swimming. Our room was ready about 230, so I went to get the rest of the luggage from the trailer and bring it around to the resort. I went to the villa first to take pristine photos , then we gathered the girls and went up. The looks on their faces were in the “priceless” category and cleared away any doubt I’d had about buying DVC. They were giddy and excited, so we spent some time exploring the room. 8yo pulled open a cabinet, saw a rectangle baking dish and said, “Can we bake a CAKE?” 19yo had a friend coming over later, so I sent her to WalMart for a mix, eggs, milk, and oil, along with a few other staples (Cheerios, butter, bread). I popped in a load of laundry and opened the Owner’s Locker to pull out our sheets. I get a terrible rash from Disney sheets, plus I can’t stand not having fitted sheets on my bed, so I put them on over the Disney sheets. 19yo got back and I whipped up a cake and got it baking. I decided I was going to settle in, even if it were just 2 nights and it was downright luxurious. We loved it there so much, we decided to sell our SSR points for more AKV! That evening, we had popcorn and cake and watched movies on the DVD player. Very nice.

[disneygramma]

Sounds like you had a rocky start, but seems like everything ended up ok. Sounds like a good idea (owner locker and own sheet sets) hmmmmmmm.

[Lemap760]

Wow, first all that driving and then you bake a cake. I envy your energy.
Great start.

[SouthernBelle]

Dawn,

Well it may have started off rocky, but I love the ending..popcorn and cake and movies.....AHHHHH how restful after all that driving....

Hurry Back can't wait to read the next chapter

[snoozin]

Can't wait to hear more!

[disneydani]

Glad you arrived safely, albeit a bit stressed from you companions! Love how you dove right into 'home' cake baking and popcorn popping!

danielle

[ilovedisney0_0]

That is exactly how I road trip. Every MINUTE spent stopped is another mile I could've driven!! I just took a road trip with an elderly aunt, and experienced the same thing as you...so for the stress you just endured!

Great start, and I hope you post some soon!

[graygables]

A few photos of the AKV 1 bedroom:






The trip continues...

Tuesday, 19yo went w/ 21yo to the mall and I took Dds to AK. It was STINKIN’ hot and we were dripping from our own sweat in minutes. Dds rode Everest, then Kali, then Everest again “to dry off” (NOT happening!). We went around to the safari and enjoyed that. I, being the scrap booker I am forgot my camera and lo and behold THREE (count ‘em, 3) bongos in a row WITHOUT their rear ends facing me. OY! The whole safari went that way, so I decided to just sit back and enjoy! After the safari, Dds were hungry so we went to Pizzafari. Never been there before, but it was very nice and good. Festival of the Lion King was the next stop since we missed it on our last trip and Dds know how much I love it. It was spectacular, as usual, but I still get misty when I see all the children having a great time with the instruments and I know that I’ll never see mine doing that. 8yo was asked, but basically assumed the fetal position. She then went on to tell me that she was going to be a FOLK zebra-dancer when she grows up. I guess there is hope! We went on around to DinoLand where both girls decided we needed to ride Dinosaur. This was after they decided the LAST time that we didn’t need to ride it anymore. Guess they have selective amnesia, but we were quickly reminded WHY we didn’t like that one too much. By then, we all had heat headaches and Dds were exhausted, so we headed back to the AKV for the afternoon to swim and start packing a bit.

Tues evening, we had dinner at the Grand Floridian Café with Cinderella and Friends, so we went over a little early to do some shopping. I had found the new Disney Dream Book at AK and decided it was MOM’s turn for some autographs! Aside: I highly recommend this book. It has space for autographs, notes, pockets for resort stuff, penny collection and a pin in the back on a “sheet” to hold even more pins. It comes with a shoulder strap and I used it much like a purse. The only thing it’s missing are refills! It was a little crowded at the GFCafe and it took Cindy and Charming FORever to get to us (30 minutes AFTER dessert…didn’t make for happy girls), but we all had a good time. Went back and packed for our first move, to the Contemporary. We were VERY sad to leave our “home”, but were excited about staying somewhere new.

[graygables]

I had us set for a party of 4 at a 1030 Cape May Café character breakfast, but 19yo wanted to come along and they readily accommodated us. It was actually nearly empty and we had lots of fun with Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale. After the meal, we drove over to the CR to check in and scope out the convention center. Our tower room was ready, so we went on up to drop our things. My first impressions were very good. Spacious, modern without looking “modern”, and a lovely view of Bay Lake. That was the end of the good vibes at CR. No locks on the bathrooms turned into a serious problem, thanks to my mother’s immaturity, and the sinks, while very cool LOOKING, were utterly dreadful to use. Top that with no storage per se for 5 females??? Disastrous. I found my spot at the convention center, right next to the World’s Largest Scrapbook, which was cool. The convention center has one narrow drive that is at a weird angle, so backing the trailer in was fun. At least the other guys were amused…I’m proud to say that it only took about 5 minutes and I never once hit any of the shrubbery on the sides! I unloaded, confirmed that I was in the right spot and got my “perimeter” set for my displays when the coordinator told me I was in the wrong spot! Thankfully, the “guys” helped me move all my stuff over one which didn’t take long, but was enough to throw me off my rhythm.

I went up to the room and collected everyone for a trip to the Food and Fun Center for dinner. It was really pretty gross as counter service goes and the Cms seemed to have really low morale. Not at all what I’d expected. 19yo went back to help move me along with the setting up and they kicked us out about 1130pm (and I wasn’t quite done…) Up to bed with an early alarm for a busy day tomorrow!

Our view:



Here is my booth:



Me with the World Record sign:



The pages I put into the World's Largest Scrapbook:



DDs and their contributions:

[ariel14]

Great update! The AKLV looks beautiful!!!

[LoriMistress]

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing.

[Starla4436]

Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0

That is exactly how I road trip. Every MINUTE spent stopped is another mile I could've driven!! I just took a road trip with an elderly aunt, and experienced the same thing as you...so for the stress you just endured!

Great start, and I hope you post some soon!

So do I much to DH dismay!!!

[Starla4436]

AKL really does look amazing!

[ilovedisney0_0]

Holy cow, they would have to drag me out of that AK room by my hair!! I don't think I would ever want to leave! for the pictures, it really is beautiful!

[TinkMulanMickeysMom]

Wow Dawn, that is one HUGE scrapbook! But how cool that you are a contributor to a World Record!! I'm a GO driver as well! Your DS and DM shouldn't complain at least you let them stop for food and potty breaks Your booth looks great! Can't wait to read more!