Finally she gives a report! Family trip June 07 LOL **Updated 11/3** About This Page:

[Tonichelle]

I'd update the one I started when we were down there in June, but it's so stinkin far back I can't find it and am too lazy to search any more !

Anyway I think I've finally recovered from the bliss of 10 days at Disney - plus working my butt off all summer at a tourist attraction. And now that I have some time to myself/thoughts I can better put down our experience in words.

Some background for those of you going "who the heck is this wacky person". My parents' 25th wedding anniversary was Nov. 2006, for their gift my aunt and I went together and bought a family trip to WDW. My parents and I haven't been on a family VACATION since I was 5 and we went to Disneyland for a grand total of three days. And since adopting my brother in 04 we've just never done anything like that as a family. So it was well overdue.

My brother, Duane, came to us originally in 1999 as a temporary foster child. He stayed for a full two years in which time the state either has to take away parental rights, or give the child back (I believe that law has been changed, but am not sure) instead of doing the right thing and taking away his father's rights he was sent back. A year later he was back in our home because of the growing abuse he was suffering at home. And he never left. My parents took him back only on the condition that parental rights would be taken away and we would adopt him.

Also on our trip were my aunt and my cousin (her niece) as it was my cousin's graduation gift from my aunt and the only way we could swing both trips was to do it together. That later would be MY undoing, but oh well it was a small blip in a very blissful week and a half!

Anyway characters on this trip are

Alan - my dad, a total dork but I love him. He was just 'going along' with this trip because it's what *we* wanted and he felt WDW was 'overrated' and the big highlight was he was getting to play golf at Eagle Pines but I think of all of us he had the most fun!

Sue - my mom, she is afraid of her own shadow but I promised her I would ride small world if she would ride splash mountain... and we both held to our word... she was definitely our comic relief of the trip!

Jillian - my wonderful cousin. She's an AP at DisneyLand but had never been to WDW and she was the camera pointer outer on all the rides lol she had to meet us at the hotel because she lives in CA and we're all in Alaska

Judy - my aunt. she's been countless times and is anti-planning... don't get me started *sigh*

Duane - my brother... there were good times, there were bad times (Epcot was his undoing... oh well) but to watch him experience something like this was worth every bit of yeah we endured.

Toni - me... I'm practically perfect in every way

ok now that I'm done with the introductions the trip there...

It was uneventful, save for my mom spilling starbucks all down her front in Seattle. She was wearing a white shirt too and it was extremely visable. It was histerical because she was mortified and she didn't have a shirt she could change into (just a pj top and she refused to wear it on the 8 hour plane ride and bus ride to hotel). So once we got on the plane she put her koosh pillow (one of those designed for your neck things) on top of the biggest stains and used a plane pillow to sleep on. We should have seen this as a sign of what was to come with her, but nope!

Once we got to Orlando we found the DME with no problem (thank you thank you thank you passporter! We'd have been so lost because the people at the gate knew diddly!) and the lady that met us at the elevator let Duane be the 'one in charge' of finding the DME (oh boy you open the door and there it is) and that made him feel special. Seriously, the magic starts at DME. It was great.

We walked right on the bus and we were on our way. It was so fast - everyone on here said there'd be a wait LOL - so I didn't have time to get my camera out and take pictures (not that our group would have wanted pictures after 14+ hours of travel time!).

We checked into the Coronado Springs and we had the perfect view! (Well my brother and I did, we had a center window and the view was incredible.) We were starving and so while we waited for a table (stupid walk in party of 5, that's us) we walked around and for whatever reason in our hunger induced sleep deprived minds... we couldn't find the main pool. How we could miss the dig site, I don't know. lol.

the lake is definitely my favorite part of Coronado Springs. Beautiful (I'm not into swimming). We did a bit o' shopping - ok so I spent the most, but Duane needed a lanyard, got him a pirates one lol and then he went on a mission to get CM only pins lol - and that was about it for the first night until my cousin came in around midnight.

She got into my aunt's room (I roomed with the boy lol) and our rooms had the door in between and Jillian started pounding on teh door. I thought we'd over slept until I looked at the TV which was on MSNBC and it was only midnight. I let her pound a bit more and I went back to sleep. Duane never stirred.

Another funny story about the connecting rooms and the door. My mom somehow thought their door went to my brother and my room (considering their door went the 'other way' from where my brother and my room was, I'm really not sure how she figured it worked lol) and so she kept knocking on some random person's room door until my dad caught her and told her that it wasn't my door

Father-son time... they are counting and identifying the different fish.
Alaska men, what can I say.

more coming, I promise

[mcc0313]

Great start...can't wait to hear more

[Tonichelle]

First day was our Magic Kingdom day. We just couldn't not do it first. It was such a great morning. We showered and met down in teh food court. Which, I have to say, is one of the best food courts of any hotel I've ever been to. And then we headed off for the happiest park on earth. And it was happy.

Our agenda was simple, Splash Mountain first. We ran for fast passes and then back tracked to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The line wasn't that bad so we just hopped on. We spent the wait time not just looking at the decor, but reenacting the three pirates movies (which at the time I was in a funk about AWE because of the ending, but blah lol... oh and by we - I mean my dad and I lol). Anywho, we get in the boat and we're floating down and Davy Jones is on the water fall and mom is all 'oooo, pretty.' She forgot there was the short drop in the dark after that and down we go. Well when the boat went from the track to floating again it bumped the wall (tapped more than bumped!) and mom lets out this huge scream of "OH MY GOD" and grabbed on to the seat in front of her! we knew Splash Mt. would be a problem then because, let's face it - if THAT scared her Splash Mt. would kill her!

After PotC our Splash Mt. Tickets were up so we headed off to the best water ride EVER! The closer we got to the actual ride teh more my mom got nervous. She kept trying to get us to let her chicken out but in the log she went. Dad and Duane in front, Jillian and I next, mom and Judy behind us. The photo is from the very beginning of the ride when she was still 'okay' with the whole deal. we start to go 'up' on that first 'drop' (or lack there of) and my dad yells back to my mom "Put your hand's up, Suzie! Here we go!" and mom starts screaming and then bloop. And she thought that that was actually the big drop Wishful thinking on her part.

Anyway, we're floating along and mom is singing with the characters and loving every minute of it. Except for any drop. Which all managed to soak my cousin but I didn't get wet at all. Which really bummed me out lol. But it was hilarious listening to Jillian scream. Being from Cali she found the water cold (whatEVER!)

Anyway we get around to the big drop and we're trying to prepare mom and all she can here is the ka-chunk ka-chunk ka-chunk and we get to the top and it stops for a split second and then dad screams "HANDS UP" and we all get ready for the picture and mom starts screaming "SAVE ME JESUSSSSSSSSS!!" (she'd been praying from about the time we started climbing lol) and then SPLASH and we all are busting up laughing because mom starts saying how awful it all was. Dad asked her how'd she do and she told him she'd "Rededicated her life to Christ and got re-Baptised all at once."

After the ride dad hoofed it to BTMRR for fast passes and we went and got ice cream we sat and chatted and basically took a break in the heat and a YOAMDs guy came and talked to us for 15 minutes and never gave us anything just said enjoy your stay (this would happen two more times on our trip lol how sad is that? LOL)

We got done eating ice cream and dad met up with us and got an ice cream and we headed to do some shopping in the gift shops and did the Tiki room while we waited for our time to come up for the railroad. Dad had somehow talked mom into going on the ride and so when the time came we all made it up and into the train. (There was a really cute CM in charge of our car lol) Dad sat with mom, I was with Jillian and Judy sat with Duane...

All was good at first...


...then mom's brain caught up with her!

And then the ride started and it was all over. My mom hates roller coasters and while I can handle this one, she couldn't and she cried the entire time. It was the only time on the trip I felt bad for getting her on a ride. She cried and screamed so hard that she lost her voice for the entire rest of the trip!

second half coming shortly gotta get offline for a bit.

[Minnie Lor]

Originally Posted by Tonichelle

my dad yells back to my mom "Put your hand's up, Suzie! Here we go!" and mom starts screaming and then bloop. And she thought that that was actually the big drop Wishful thinking on her part.

That's a Hoot!

Dad asked her how'd she do and she told him she'd "Rededicated her life to Christ and got re-Baptised all at once."

But that's HYSTERICAL!

[DyanKJ130]

I'm so glad you are starting this TR, Toni! I've been wondering how everything went! Other than mom's scare on BTMRR, it sounds like a great start to your first full day! Can't wait to hear more

[Grammy Grumpy]

Great start, I read your story on your mother's trip down SM to DH and he and I were rolling. He has the same phobia for that ride so he totally related to your mother's fear. I am sorry to hear she lost her voice on BTMRR. Can't wait to hear more.

[Tonichelle]

thanks for the comments so far... and I'm glad we're not the only ones that find humor in my mother's terror

This post will have to wait on photos as I have to resize them (didn't see the rules applied to siggys AND posts... so I gotta fix that still) but I will add links to the photos I have online at the end of this one ETA - ok well... the vertical ones are the right size... still have to resize the horizontal ones...

Anyway, after BTMMR Dad went running over to get a fast pass for Space MT. It's his favorite ride at the Magic Kingdom and so he took all but my and mom's tickets (I absolutely HATE that ride, and mom wasn't going on any more 'mountains' ) Duane didn't give dad his (ok really he didn't tell dad that he went and got it out of dad's wallet... boy was lucky it was the first day of vacation or dad would have eaten him lol) but we didn't realize it until we were in line for Small World.

The only reason I was going on Small World - other than promising mom I would if she went on SM - was because it was airconditioned. It was so stinking hot while we were down there. I refuse to ever go in the summer again. Seriously, that's just insane if you're from AK! So as we're in line for that dad comes and gets Duane's room key/ticket card thingie and runs back to Space MT.... which I think in the long run he was happy about anyway because Small World is like death to him

Oh! We found Br'er Bear & Fox on our way over to Small World and we got our picture with them... mom was still shaken from the rides and didn't want her picture taken... but after them it was like the only thing she wanted to do was get her pics taken with characters That's my mom.

We ate lunch after Small World (I was getting dizzy - little or no sleep and no food will do that to you) and I almost lost my camera. Left it under my chair. First time I've ever done that with my camera. But an awesome janitor lady picked it up and took it to the manager in the kitchen so it was all good.

We then checked out the Laugh Floor comedy show, I'd heard it was really cheesy, but I found it to be very enjoyable. We came out of that and hit a wall of people in the gift shop. Come to find out while we were in there a down pour started. We had forgotten the ponchos at home in AK so Judy went and bought everyone Mickey ponchos and as more and more people crowded around us I started to feel the need to get out (I don't do crowds in tight spaces well... I just get very irritated...the malls on weekends are totally out for me) I convinced most of our group to go out into the rain.

It is probably my favorite memory of the entire trip. Here we are the only 6 people in the Magic Kingdom crazy enough to run out in the rain. Duane and Dad were heading towards the arcade/Space Mountain and we were following. It's funny it was like we were on a two seater ride. Duane and Dad together... Me and Jillian... Judy and my Mom (they're sisters, btw, my mom is 10 years older and they run amok when left to themselves) were in the back. Duane and Dad were just speeding along. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to snap photos so I pulled out my camera (it's only rain right? LOL who cares if it's an almost 900 dollar body and a 300 dollar lens!). I kicked water at Jillian and we started a water fight (seriously it rained so hard it was way past ankle deep in the 'street').

As we're kicking and half heartedly running behind Duane and Dad we realize we're missing mom and Judy we look back and, in the deepest puddle they could possibly stand in, they are uncontrollably laughing. We ran back to them. Apparently while they were running and laughing about how dumb we all looked, and then Jillian and I having a water fight... and all the water... well... they were wet in more ways than just rain wet if you get my meaning. And apparently the more they wet themselves the more they laughed, which made them continue to wet themselves. So when we get back to them they are laughing so stinking hard that it was just too much. We're four women just standing there in a huge puddle (which no doubt they contributed to) laughing histerically.

Anyway long story short we made it -finally- to the arcade, watched dad and duane play a few games, the rain let up just in time for the Space Mountain que and away they went. Mom and I stayed inside - well we went to the rest room while we waited - and waited for them.

After that we hit Mickey's Philharmagic, and the rain was back. CMs were saying they weren't sure but they were guessing the night time festivities would not happen that night and so we decided to head for the resort. we were tired and the hottub was sounding really good to some, all I wanted was a shower and the bed lol

We got back to the resort. Did a bit of shopping, ate at the food court and on our way back to our room there was the most gorgeous rainbow right over the resort. It was the perfect way to end a great day. A perfect symbol of what we'd already done and what we'd be doing the rest of our trip!

I have no idea what they did that night, after I uploaded my photos to the laptop I zoned and fell asleep. I don't even remember my brother coming in later that night (he said I yelled at him to shut up and go to sleep, I'd believe it... lol)

Animal Kingdom stories to come... later tonight or tomorrow.

[mcc0313]

Great update....as I was reading I could actually picture you all running through the rain....

(I love the rain...ok not at WDW but we do what we have to do......lol)

Can't wait to read more...

[Tonichelle]

rain at WDW's MK is the best!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Love the rainbow pictures More please

[MickeyMAC]

Great start and I love your pictures.

[goofysdtr]

Great start! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[Tonichelle]

So yeah after breakfast on the second day we headed out to the Animal Kingdom, we got there just as it opened (yay!) but not before the bus stopped at the Blizzard Beach water park. Dad and Duane took one look at that and demanded we go :lol: so we promised them that the next day we'd all go to Blizzard Beach (and really until you see the big slide you have no real idea just how big it is lol).

Anyway we get through teh turnstiles with almost no injury (mom somehow got her fanny pack stuck on those peg things and it got caught and OMG it was embarassing to be her child lol)

Anyway we group together and check out the map and decide we're going to hit Kali and dad would run ahead and get fast passes for Everest (I stupidly said I'd try it once...) So we got in line as it was a 10 minute wait (first thing in teh morning most people were headed for Everest, which dad reported already had a 45 minute wait! ) All six of us were going for this ride, we'd told mom that it was a pretty easy ride (none of us had been on it lol but she didn;t know that) and then we get down to that rotating thingie... and mom freaked. The loading dock ended up being the freakiest part of the ride for her.

Now I must complain here that this trip I rarely if ever got even a little wet. On all of the water rides I would come out the least wet. The most wet I'd get is when I would sit down on a ride that had just come back from getting wet and I'd sit in the puddle. What is up with that, people???

Anyway I sat with dad and like I said we didn't get wet, but everyone else did (well Jillian was a wimp and wore her poncho because it was 'too cold' for getting wet freak) Aside from the loading dock it went without incident (though getting off was freaky for me lol) and mom even said she'd do that one again.

Oh! when we came up on the part where you can see "Everest's Peak" my mom turned to dad and screamed "You are NOT taking my kids on that ride!" Which got the two of them going on about how (mom) it was unsafe and (dad) how Disney had the best track record of any amusement park and that the kids were both old enough to decide what they would and wouldn't do It was hysterical!

After we hit Kali...we headed over to the Everest area and mom and judy had to find a place to go potty (which they ended up getting turned around and couldn't find their way back *smacks forehead* they need chaperones when they go anywhere together!) We waited for them, and then Jillian saw them pass by going the other way and she ran up and pulled them back to us. Judy studied the Everest ride and decided she'd chickened out so we sent Judy and mom to get fast passes for the Safari and to find a times guide (we grabbed a park map instead of the times guide. Oy!)

So then we hopped into line and got on Everest. Duane and dad sat in front, Jillian and I sat behind them... so we were the 2nd and 3rd rows in the car. I am terrified of heights, but with the warnings I got on this board and other places I knew to close my eyes for most of the climb, and even when I did open them it was for a split second. I think at that point *I* turned into *MOM* because by then I was all "this was a stupid idea, I should have gone with mom and Judy" and the three daredevils laughed (evilly IMO) and then woosh we went through.

It wasn't that bad, it was actually pretty fun, but my body didn't handle it well. We got off the ride and as I stepped onto the platform dad had to catch me because I almost passed out. I was sick to my stomach and diz-zy. We went into the gift shop and I bought pins for Duane and myself... and dad and Jillian waited in line to get our photo Duane wanted a tshirt, but it only came in big man sizes (it was teh one where it's the silouette of the MT and the eyes and nose of the Yeti can be seen... we wanted to get him the "Where men scream like little girls" shirt but he didn't like the color -it was pink! LOL)

Then we went outside under the few trees that they had out by the gift shop to wait for mom and Judy - who we thought sure would get lost, my mom gets lost going from the church to our house! and we've lived in the same house over 15 years and gone to the same church for 11! - and it was just kinda nice to sit and do nothing... we were definitely doing way more walking than my feet wanted to (the crocs ate my feet so I ended up in flip flops I meant only to use at the pool after about the 3rd day)

Where are those crazy women?

Once they caught up with us we headed over to the Flame Tree BBQ for lunch. Flame Tree is DA BOMB! I love that place. Yum! We sat under this tree filled with birds - which Jillian hated because birds freak her out, wimp - and it was hysterical because they wouldn't eat the fries, but loved the tomatoes my brother would send their way lol mom was all 'see! birds don't like junk either'

We still had time to kill so we went to Bug's Life... which was so much fun since this time I had my contacts and I could actually wear and see the 3D effects The bees stung and Jillian and Mom both jumped up. Heh heh heh. I love that little attraction. Dad had more fun exploring the tree and the movie posters inside the tree, but all in all I think everyone enjoyed it.

We then hit the Safari which was great, no rhinos running along side the car like I had happen in 2004, but we did have Giraffes come and check us out, as well as lots of baby animals skampering about. Saw way more this time than in 2004, that's for sure! It was great!

Then we hit the Dinosaur ride (we'd snagged a fast pass way earlier, I just don't remember *when* after Everest I was in a big daze for most of the day... even after eating... anyway we got into the ride and mom really quickly figured this is another scary ride (I think it had something to do with us whispering to each other and giggling and then telling her it was nothing )

We read the description in the passporter and dad said something along the lines of 'uh oh, suzie, maybe you shouldn't go" and she got all mad at him and said she wasn't going to get scared and that she would be just fine.

So we get all strapped in and away we go, and we're going around and mom's oooing and awwing and then all of a sudden the scary stuff starts (ok well it's pretty much from the get go but still) and it's getting worse and worse and every bump followed mom saying "OMG!" and then she dropped that and just had this one long scream (Which when you have no voice sounds incredibly funny) and then when the BIG CLIMACTIC DINO moment happens she almost dove under the seat (thank god for seatbelts) So in the photo (Which for whatever reason we didn't get one, I think it was because we had to book it over to the Festival of the Lion King) anyway in the photo it was hysterical because you have Jillian, Dad, and I smiling for the picture, and you have Duane and Judy looking terrified, and mom is MIA lol

We scooted over to the show and waited in line (under one of the most glorious of fans they have there lol) and Duane made friends with a couple that had twins about 4 years old (my brother is 12 but is socially stunted and so he does better with younger kids) I think they were from N. Carolina (Duane took pictures with them lol and remembers everything about the family) and dad spent most of the time talking to the kids' dad talking about Alaska (they were planning a trip next summer for up here so they picked his brain a good long while).

Anyway, I think Lion King was the highlight for mom. She's always wanted to see the Broadway stage version, and while this wasn't that it was the next best thing. She was like a little kid watching the whole thing. And then when we got to the hand jive even dad was getting into it! (ok he liked the whole thing but he was really able to show how much with the hand jive lol)

After the festival we checked out parts of Camp Minnie Mickey. Got our family photo (sans Duane who wandered off and totally freaked my mom out after she realized we were one short lol) with Goofy. I'll add that photo in later, I still have to upload the resized photos and with dial up it's a pain!

Anyway after that we headed over to the Finding Nemo show. Which I was not overly impressed with, but I was the only one. I swear the Just Keep Swimming song is teh MOST ANNOYING SONG Disney has come up with since Small World. UGH! The puppetry was stunning, concept very cool, but I thought it was pretty lame other than that. The seaguls in teh bubbles at the end were hysterical though. Dad thought it was better than Lion King (Blasphemy!) but I think it's only because he loves Crush (Dude-Crush!)

We then spent a great deal of time shopping, dad was looking for I don't remember what, but he didn't find it... I think it was a certain type of wind chime that a coworker collects and we never did find it. After shopping and checking out some of the animals we decided we were done for the day, we were tired and cranky and I still felt a little sick and then as we passed by the Winnie the Pooh meet and greet thing dad got the idea that Duane needed his picture taken with Pooh.

When Duane was born his biological mom nicknamed him Pooh-bear. She still calls him that as she is still very much a part of his life (his bio dad had threatened to kill her family if she got full custody of Duane, which is why she signed over her parental rights) and dad wanted to get her a one of a kind souvenier (she was so excited for Duane and a tad jealous lol).

So Dad, Duane, Jill, and I headed down and while we were in line there was the cutest little toddler. Now, normally I'm one that feels that little ones normally get more out of it at about 5, I mean I know it's nice but as far as remembering a lot of kids don't have that great of a recollection, and considering it's a big financial thing -especially traveling from AK- I just go the more practical route... but this little girl was unwittingly out to prove me wrong. She was behind us but kept trying to cut to the front because she was so eager to meet Eeyore. She almost lost it when mommy pulled her back, but she was just such a little doll that I fell in love with her.

About this time dad started getting all sappy about how I was little like that once and he started getting all huggy and stuff. It was sweet but still! lol.

Anyway we offered to let them go first (I mean she wanted it so bad) but the good parents that they were (I think WDW brings out a lot of bad parenting skills lol but then again I don't have kids and unruly kids annoy me anyway) they said no that she had to learn to wait her turn even at WDW! I Wanted to give them hugs! LOL So off we go to Winnie the Pooh and Duane and Jillian both got their pictures with him. Then we waited for Eeyore because I *ADORE* the big guy. And we got to watch the little girl go up and she gave pooh this big hug and they kept trying to get her to look at the camera but all she wanted to do was hug and kiss on Pooh Bear... they were so REAL to her and it was just so sweet. It totally melted my heart! And you could tell we weren't the only ones in love with that kiddo because the photopass people couldn't take enough photos of her! It was beautiful!

Anyway I got my picture with Eeyore as did Duane and then Dad wanted his picture with Tigger (with all of us) so we all got in on that one lol.

Pooh bear made kissy noises to Jillian

We made our way back to where Judy and Mom were and they surprised us with ice cream and sodas (I can't have ice cream) and we loved on them lots! LOL I think it was dad's 4th ice cream of the day (he calls mom the food nazi because now that he's old she makes him watch his wait - think Claire and Cliff on the Cosby show... only dad has lost a lot of weight and kept it off) so he was a very happy man.

On our way out to the buses we caught the photopass dudes and had our family picture - all 6 this time! - taken with the tree in the background. And thus ended our second full day of the trip.

We got back to the resort and basically everyone went to the pool including me (After a shower lol I was all sweaty and I hate that feeling) and I sat in the hot tub in my two piece Eeyore tankini. Now... that would be fine, normally, but my dad saved me the last spot which was right on one of those air shooting thingies and so I had a hard time with the swimsuit and getting it to behave lol so yeah...

but OMG that hottub felt so good. I could have fallen asleep if they'd let me...

We decided the next morning we were going to get up early and hit the water park for at least part of the extra magic hours at Blizzard Beach... which got dad and duane all excited and we headed to bed.

Albums that I have on face book that coincide with the Magic Kingdom posts and this one can be found by clicking the links below! (they are better quality than most of the ones shared, and there are quite a few more of everything! I was trigger happy! and you can see the horizontal photos that I haven't resized and uploaded yet too! LOL)

Album 1 - 1st Night @ Coronado Springs/Magic Kingdom/More Coronado/Kali River Rapids/Kilamanjaro Safari/Lion King
Album 2 - Photopass which has Animal Kingdom as well as Epcot and Dad's flag ceremony which comes way later in the report! so don't peek! just view the first page of this album lol


*whew!* - coming later - Blizzard Beach and Epcot!

[Minnie Lor]

Excellent pictures! I confess, I peeked at all of them. Can't wait for more.