Do You Think WDW Just Happens?!?!?!!!! The Sequel to Hubby & Me & Jimmy Make Three - Finally COMPLETED 11/17 About This Page:

[bfth]

Day 0 & Day1, Part 1

If you've read my pre-trip report (Sakes Alive! Now We're Five), you know the cast of characters. But if you haven't here's a quick breakdown.

Bfth (that's me): Mommy and Disney Planner. I do not know how to let go and just relax. And that title of this report is a take off of a phrase from the holiday episode of Family Guy, in which Lois has a complete breakdown and shouts out: "DO YOU THINK CHRISTMAS JUST HAPPENS?!?!?!!?!!!". Just substitute Disney for Christmas and that's me. I make it happen. And sometimes (OK, many times) I have a hard time of just letting go. (and I'd buy a copy of Kiss Saves Santa if it existed).

Sds: Hubby. Computer/IT guy extraordinaire. Brought the laptop with him. Used it more than I would have liked him to.

Jimmy: The 4 year old love of my life. He's tall and he looks mature, but he's still just a toddler. And he acts like one too.

MiL & SFiL: The in laws; they flew down the day before us (Friday, 9/4) and left on Wednesday (9/9). There were definite pros and cons to having them with us. Supposedly they were going to take Jimmy for a while so Sds and I could go and do something together (whatever that something might have been). It never happened. No big surprise. Before they went away they did buy a Passporter, but I don't think they actual read it (shades of Lorelei528's report here -- if you buy the book, aren't you going to read it????)

Our trip was from September 5-12th, but the story really should begin on September 4th, since that's when my in laws flew in. And I was frantically trying to get everything cleared up at work. (Besides my own stuff, I was trying to help/cover for a co-worker who had a family emergency during the week AND the last 2 hours of the day I had to help out in reception).

The in laws were flying out of Philly around 7 AM. (they were up around 3! Ouch!). I tried to call my MiL's cell phone around 9, but it was turned off (which I assumed was because they were on the plane, but my MiL leaves her phone off almost all the time! What's the point of having a cell phone if you're not going to use it).

I later found out (through Sds), that they had safely arrived in Orlando and that there were only 5 people on their bus to WDW. They were checked into the Contemporary resort before 10:30! Their room must have been ready because they dropped their stuff (Garden Wing, 1st floor) and went to MK. Don't know the exact order but they eat at Casey's and rode the Jungle Cruise and PotC. They ended up in Frontierland where they rode BTMRR, which my MiL claims she thought was the WDW RR. Don't know how you can get the two confused. I mean the Frontierland Station for WDW RR is close by the BTMRR clearly has signs all over the place and wouldn't the "wildest ride in the wilderness" give you a clue that this was NOT the nice little train ride around MK?

After the wildest ride in the wilderness, they decided to go back to their room and relax and unpack before heading over to Epcot for their dinner in Morocco.
I did speak to my MiL while they were in Epcot. They had gone straight back to WS where they explored Morocco and Japan before going into dinner. It's my understanding that they had a good meal and then headed back to the hotel to turn in.

Meanwhile, here in NJ, I was wrapping up work and heading for home. Vacation time!

Finished up all the last minute packing and try to get everyone to bed early. Our Jet Blue flight was originally supposed to be at 7:30, but when I printed out our boarding passes that morning, I saw that our flight had been changed to 7:05.
Early to bed wasn't as early as it should have been and then my eyes snapped open at 2:30 in the morning and that was it. (alarm was set for 4). After laying there for a while and finally determining that I WASN"T going to get back to sleep, I got up and played around on the computer a little bit, got dressed and watched some TV (Eureka marathon was going on).

Sds got up at the appointed 4 AM time and started gathering all his last minute stuff together. Including his laptop which he had been debating on whether to take or not.

We got Jimmy up around 4:40. The kid was a trooper. He got up, went to the potty and got dressed with no complaints. He went downstairs and had the last of the blueberry mini-muffins for breakfast and then our ride pulled into our driveway.

Didn't take too long to get Jimmy's booster seat into the car and all our bags (three checked, one ugly orange stroller, 2 carry ons, one camera bag and one laptop bag). We were on the road by 5 and quickly at Terminal A at Newark Liberty Airport.

Checked our bags at the curb (didn't know that Jet Blue charges $2 a bag to do this, but it's still cheaper than the $30 a bag on Continental) and headed to our gate. Security line wasn't too bad, although there was really no place to sit down and put our shoes back on. I was smart and had Jimmy in socks and sandals with Velcro (his sneakers have laces). So we walked in our socks over to the gate where we put our shoes back on (and in Jimmy's case changed over from sandals to his sneakers).

We hung out at the gate until boarding. We were actually the first people on board and in row 7 which was just fine. With the satellite TVs in the seat backs there was something to keep us occupied (even if Jimmy wouldn't keep his headphones on -- and I'm glad we remembered to bring them from home...don't want to waste $2 buying them from Jet Blue).

The boarding process actually went quite quickly (I guess everyone was ready to get to Florida). We pushed back from the gate before our departure time and think we actually took off (as in we were in the air) by the time we were supposed to.

Although Sds feels that the planes are not as clean as Continental's, I was pretty happy with the flight. The crew was polite and they provided you with a FULL CAN of soda along with a small glass of ice. The snack selections weren't too bad either. I had brought snacks too. I wanted to have Jimmy munching on something as we took off and he ate 2 pop tarts (usually he only eats one in the package per day) and a few animal crackers that were served by the flight attendants.

The flight was faster than expected (yeah!) and we were on the ground in Orlando by 9:30. I called my parents to let them know we'd arrived before we even reached the gate (they told us we could use our cell phones...I thought it used to be that you couldn't until the plane was at the gate and the door was open, but hey...). Since we were sitting so close to the front of the plane, we got off quickly. Too quickly. The stroller was not yet off. So Sds took Jimmy to the men's room and I waited for the stroller. Then I trudged over to the restroom area with a stroller, 2 carry ons, the camera bag and the laptop bag. Not a pretty site.

We hopped on the monorail (they've changed the voice. ) for our ride to the main terminal and then dragged ourselves over to get to the ground floor. Which is where we made (I made?) a MAJOR mistake. We took the escalator. Steve had the stroller, camera bag and laptop. I had the 2 carry ons (one had wheels so I was dragging that) and Jimmy's hand. Even if you are incredibly graceful and talented, as they say on TV; DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Or in this case the airport. Jimmy was hesitant (I can't blame him; I'm not a big escalator fan) and I took his hand and my rolling bag must have gotten caught. The next thing I know, I'm down on my butt and Jimmy's coming down with me. Jimmy didn't get it too bad (he falls much more gracefully than I do). Sds walked up and got him and I managed to get up and climb up and get my bag (it's not as easy as you think going against the escalator). My ankle was bleeding a bit and it hurt, but I was NOT going to stop (remember, the title of this trip is DO YOU THINK WDW JUST HAPPENS?!?!?!!! I forge through no matter what...remember that! It's important for future chapters in this saga). So with bloody ankle and toddler in tow, we trudge all the way down to the DME area (we're not even at Disney yet and already we're pushing the miles).

We are told what line to stand on and we are the first family in the particular line/aisle. And for a few minutes the only family. And I'm thinking it's going to be a while. At this point I decide to call my friend Dorothy to give her a Shorten Status report.

Now, I have to backtrack a little here. Last year was our first trip to WDW since Jimmy had been born. Over 3 years of no Disney (47 months to be exact...I could probably tell you the days too if I really thought about it). Since it was our first family trip, I treated us to the Concierge Level at the Contemporary. We had a wonderful time at the Atrium Lounge, which is where I had the pleasure of meeting Dorothy. She is everything Disney is supposed to be AND more. Since she was from NJ, we struck up a friendship. We'd kept in touch over the year and every time I found something Jersey, I'd send it to her (like the Jersey Girl refrigerator magnet and boxes of Salt Water Taffy). In turn, she went and purchased a toy monorail (with her Disney discount) and arranged for it to be in our room when we arrived (I sent a check along with the salt water taffy to cover it). Since she was working that day (turns out the woman works at least 6 days a week! She is dedicated -- and not just to the paycheck), she said she would meet us when the bus arrived. She was "cutting our keys" as we spoke and wanted to know if we wanted charging privileges on them. I told her we were waiting for the bus and would probably be another 40 minutes or so. We agreed that I would call her again when the bus got to the Grand Floridian (which I figured would be the stop before ours...while I love DME, the Contemporary is the last stop for the 4 MK hotels. ).

Sooner than I expected, we were called on a bus. There were only a dozen or so people on the bus. And it turned out we were only making 3 stops (no one was going to the Poly). Of course we were still the last stop.

Jimmy and I snag seats up front (not the first row, but immediately behind) and Sds sits across from us. Although he has done very well on the plane, I'm still wary. I have my Nemo bucket out and ready (best purchase I made last year at the resort.) I try to keep him to focus on the road ahead.

First stop turns out to be Grand Floridian. Just as I'm about to call Dorothy, the phone rings. It's my MiL who wants to know where we are. Sds talks to her a while and then while we are on our way to the Wilderness Lodge (which was our first stop last year), I call Dorothy and tell her we are almost there.

Once again, we are the only family heading to the Contemporary. We have made lots of little stops and starts as we head into and out of the other resorts. As we are pulling into the Contemporary, I can see that look on Jimmy's face. In a flash, I have handed off his beloved (and I do mean BELOVED) stuffed turtle to Sds and gotten the Nemo bucket at the ready. And as we're pulling around, poor little Jimmy let's it all out. And as disgusting as this is, (Moms is this for you), he did a great job. After too many car sick incidents, Jimmy has finally learned that the bucket is is friend. He did what he had to do and no clothing change was necessary. I was so proud. (I know it's a strange thing to be proud of, but I was).
Sds gets off the bus with all the bags (and turtle) and goes to get the stroller. I get Jimmy and the bucket.

Once we're off the first person I see is Dorothy. Bucket in hand, I give her a big hug. I was so happy to see her! And then I realized that we had pulled up to the convention center. Seems they are doing refurb on the front entrance, so we went in through the convention center (where I have never been).

Dorothy asks if she can carry the bucket. I decline. She asks if she can dump the bucket in the bushes. Again, I decline. I will take it to the bathroom and empty and clean. She wants to carry some of our bags, but I'm not letting her do that either. I'm just so happy to see her.

She asks me where my in laws are staying and I tell her here. She said she didn't see them on the list. That's because my in laws have a different last name! I never thought she'd be looking for them.

We make our way to the lobby where my in laws are waiting for us. Jimmy runs right up to his grandma and proudly announces, "Grandma, I throwed up."

[mcc0313]

What a great start...minus poor Jimmy getting sick but I can definitely relate to how well of a job he did as crazy as that might sound.

Glad he was running off the bus and feeling great by time you made it through the doors of the hotel. Can't wait to hear more.

[bsblady01]

more please

[Colexis Mom]

Sorry Jimmy got sick but glad he had his bucket!! More please!

[OhToodles!]

Great start! Well maybe not the 'bucket' incident, but I can understand the proud moment.

[DawnK]

Sorry about Jimmy-glad you got there safe!

[vfair]

Poor Jimmy. Glad he handled it well. And you're there. Hope you ankle healed quickly.

[Nimros]

for your TR and for Jimmy. I completely understand. Everything.

As one obsessive planner to another, Can't wait to read more.

[bfth]

Day 1, Part 2

Having found Grandma and proudly announcing that he has "throwed up," we find Grandpa and head up to the room with Dorothy. (Turns out my in laws had spent the morning just hanging out at the hotel and pool waiting for us).

We go over to the elevator bank and I realize I am not staying in the Garden Wing. Dorothy gathers us all up into an elevator and inserts our card into the little slot that allows you access to the 12th floor (well most of the time...that's another story). She has upgraded us to the Atrium Level. Now I had hoped that she might get us into the tower, but this was way beyond.

Then she asks for my in law's keys. She is going to give them access to the 12th floor AND she asks them if they'd like to move to a room in the tower. Now, if someone asks me if I want to move from a "parking lot view" to a Tower room, I'd jump through hoops! But my in laws were waffling (they'd have to pack up their stuff). Sds jumped in and told them to do it! (Thank you!).

We arrive on the 12th floor and head down the hall way to room 4803 (just 5 doors down from the room we stayed in last year). Inside on the desk are a "bouquet" of balloons, 3 "chocolate" boxes and a toy monorail for Jimmy. Talk about magical moments! This has got to top the list.

I *think* Dorothy went to go get new keys for my in laws, but I'm not to clear as everyone else was checking out the room and enjoying the monorail (which had to stay in the box until we got home because Sds did not bring his Swiss Army knife to open it and it's a MAJOR hassle to get this thing out of the box AND Sds did not want Jimmy to break it before we got home), I was in the bathroom dealing with the Nemo Bucket.

With that taken care of, I was able to go out and enjoy the room. I know most people love the MK view, but I really like the Bay Lake view better. You can watch the sun come up in the morning. And if you look right you can see the Wilderness Lodge. And off in the distance you can see Spaceship Earth, the Earful Tower (and Tower of Terror), and now the tethered balloon that they have at Downtown Disney. Also at night, when they have a movie on the beach, you can actually watch and hear it from the balcony. You can sit back and watch people in the pool, the boats going back and forth, the parasailers and let's not forget the Electrical Water Pageant at night. The Bay Lake view has ALOT going for it in my book.

Dorothy comes back with new keys for my in laws and they go to their room to pack up. Dorothy then had to head back upstairs (she was working on the 14th floor that day -- apparently they rotate back and forth). We walked my in laws to the elevator and I took advantage of the snacks that were already out. I wanted something to drink and Jimmy had his eye on the brownies with the M&Ms on them. (He remembered them from last year -- that was another thing he really wanted in Disney. For nearly a year he wanted a toy monorail and a brownie. And to go to Tom Sawyer island. And do to the Swiss Family Robinson Tree house. And the Haunted Mansion. OK, only one trip under the belt and my kid knows what he wants at Disney). Who am I to deny my son a brownie in the morning? (Heck it was probably almost noon at this point). So I sit him down and let him watch the TV in the lounge and eat while I talk to Cast Member Lora about my allergies. Last year they had made me some incredible muffins in the morning and I asked if that was possible again. And of course, I wouldn't turn down any special evening offerings that I could eat too. Lora said she'd speak to someone about it.

I took a chocolate coated Jimmy (who was wearing white pants, but what the heck; we're in Disney. I can "Shout" the stains out when I get home) back to our room. He and Sds changed into shorts and we relaxed and enjoyed the room for a bit.

MiL called to say Bell Services had just arrived and they were moving to the 11th floor (just one floor and a few doors down from us). We agreed to meet on the 4th floor for lunch (but I didn't write down what time we did this).

When we arrived at the Contempo Cafe for lunch, we hit it at a bad time. Tons of people ordering and getting food. I had Sds order for Jimmy (pizza, applesauce and juice) and himself (a burger) while I tried to find someone to talk to about my food allergies. I was able to find a manager who helped me out, but it took a while. She was going to send me a menu of what I could eat, but that never happened. (Instead she left me a message in our room saying that she was alerting all the managers so they would be aware of my allergies when I came in -- that never happened, but again, that's another story and you'll just have to stick around to find out about that!).

I finally got a burger and fries ordered (along with an egg free chocolate chip cookie which would become the stand by when they had no dessert to give me) and tried to find my family. Which is when Sds tells me that we don't have the DDP or charging privileges. Turns out there was some computer glitch. So we had to pay out of pocket for that meal (In laws did not have the problem since they had checked in and activated their card the day before) and then get the charge reversed when the computer system was fixed (as I write this the charges STILL aren't reversed, but that's just one small problem).

I find my family once again and we all try to eat. It was really busy and after the brownie Jimmy wasn't all that hungry (although he did eat the applesauce, so he got some nutrition). I was starving (a soda and a bag of chips on the plane was not filling me up -- especially since I'd been up and going since 2:30 AM!).

Being the "Type A" person that I am, I asked everyone while we were eating what they wanted to do that day. We had a dinner ressie at the Grand Floridian Cafe that evening at 5:20, but there was time to do stuff.

Sds wanted to stay 'close to home base" which made sense to me. So we decided to go to MK after lunch. So after lunch we went back to the rooms to get our stuff (like the stroller -- which Sds promptly forgot after leaving the room and getting on the elevator so he had to go back for it!). And we met up again on the 4th floor to catch the monorail for MK. (I know it's faster to work, but it was mid-day and HOT and I didn't want to push the family).

We enjoyed our monorail ride


and got off at the MK. Through security (a mommy HAS to have a bag full of stuff at all times) and the turnstiles and we are on Main Street!

I did a quick detour (while the others were walking) to get Anniversary buttons. It was my in laws 27th today and would be our 13th the day after we left (sometimes you just can't time it right). I took the two I intended for Sds and myself and threw them in my bag, and then handed one to Sds to pin on his mom and took one and put it on SFiL. They weren't too keen on it, until people started wishing them a Happy Anniversary. Then they were thinking it was pretty cool. Particularly my MiL (who kept explaining that it was her 27th and our 13th -- it was really cute and funny).

Walking down Main Street, I managed to find a Photopass Photographer. Time to take advantage of the pre-paid program. We did a quick shoot and supposedly there were fireworks going off in the background which the photographer wanted to capture. I haven't seen the photos yet, so...

We headed left into Adventureland. Jimmy has been dying to do the Swiss Family Tree house since last year (when it was closed...after we told him he could do it! Bad us!). It was too darned hot, so we passed on that and went right for PotC.
There was a bit of a wait (it was Saturday afternoon), but nothing major (maybe 10 minutes). Besides it was cool. We took the line of the left side and were soon boarding our boat. Sds, Jimmy & I sat in the front row with MiL and SFiL in the row behind us. Now Jimmy loves this ride, but when we got to the drop, he got a bit nervous (not that you can blame him). Both Sds & I were holding his hand and he really SQUEEZED when we came to the dark drop (and I think he kind of hid his head in Sds' side).

After PotC we headed towards Frontierland; Jimmy's one request was Haunted Mansion and we had not done that first because PotC was there and it was hot. So we went straight through Frontierland and into Liberty Square. The wait for HM was 25 minutes! Well, it was a Saturday afternoon. So Sds parked the stroller and we wound our way around the line and finally got into the stretch room within 15 or 20 minutes.

Jimmy LOVES this attraction. I mean LOVES it (he can practically recite the whole thing). Our ghost followed us home and we went back out into the hot sun.
By this time it was 3 and since we'd been up so early we decided to just call it a day and go back to the room. We agreed to meet up again around 4:45 on the 4th floor to catch the monorail over to the Grand Floridian for dinner.

Back in at the hotel my notes say that I tried to get Jimmy to nap. I think he went down for about an hour and since I was lying next to him (which is the best way to get him to sleep -- especially since he doesn't take naps much any more) I got maybe 10 minutes (10 minutes is better than nothing!)

Once Jimmy was asleep (and when he's really sleeping dynamite could go off next to him and he wouldn't stir), I went out to concierge desk to try to get the DDP and charging privileges activated on our card and the charge taken off my credit card (and Sds'). Nicole was able to get us new cards and took the meals off that we had. She was supposed to get the charge taken off the credit cards and get charging privileges put on our cards, but that didn't happen.

Back in our room, Sds and I worked on getting everything put away (since our luggage had arrived while we were in MK...I love the service). And then I still had about 1/2 hour to just relax before dinner. I'm pretty sure I grabbed my book and went out on the balcony to read (one of my favorite pass times when we took a break for the afternoon, although I SHOULD have been napping myself).

We all met up as promised and monorailed it over to the Grand Floridian. We were early, so we took our time wandering back to the GF Cafe, which I believe had just opened for dinner.

Even though we checked in early we were immediately taken to our table, which was way in the back of the restaurant.

Although my in laws and Sds thought the food was fantastic here, I thought it was just OK and the service that evening was awful. Chef Tim came out to speak with me and I decided on the pork chop. I don't recall what the in laws had. I do know that they all had appetizers (because appetizers are not on the DDP and I TRY to stick to the plan) and they and Sds celebrated with 3 Grand Margaritas (tempting, but since I had been up for so many hours I thought it might be a good idea to skip it. In hindsight, I should have had it). Sds had the lobster soup (on the recommendation of the server) and I believe the steak. Jimmy had the kid's pizza (this would be a trend for most of the week...my kid is impossible to feed!).
Now, why do I say the service was awful? Well the wait time for food was quite long. We were in the restaurant for over 2 hours, which I think is a bit much. SFiL had asked for lemon with his drink and he never got it. When our food finally came out, they didn't have Jimmy's food (which I thought was really strange, usually the kid's stuff comes out first). I ordered a second soda which took over 20 minutes to get to the table. When we finally ordered dessert, they brought out the wrong one for Jimmy and my "dessert" was the infamous chocolate chip cookie (which was ok...until I went to other restaurants and they all pulled out the stops for me with desserts). The experience just wasn't that great. And add that to the fact that we were all pretty tired at that point.

We finally got the check and then the modified check (since we were on the DDP and I had to pay for the appetizer and drink; plus tip). I can't remember what I left for a tip, but I felt the service was definitely not worth 18% gratuity.

Since we were tapped out, we headed back to the monorail. The GF Orchestra was just finishing up a set as we walked by and Jimmy was doing a little shuffle/dance as they played. (Another priceless moment).

Back in the room we pretty much just crashed. We all bathed, to into our jammies and climbed into bed. I know that I did let Jimmy watch some cartoons before hand (while Sds and I got ready for bed). There is a one hour loop that is on one of the resort channels that shows the same cartoons over and over again (I can probably tell you all of them in order --not that you'd want to know, but there is the Chip & Dale one with the peanuts and the elephant, Steamboat Willie, How to Play Football with Goofy, Micky and the Trailer, How to Ride a Horse, and "music videos" of Heigh Ho, the theme to Zorro, Let's Go Fly A Kite and the Dance music from Snow White).

Once we tucked Jimmy into bed and turned out the light, Sds and I just laid there and talked quietly. I was figuring once Jimmy went out we would turn on a light and read or watch tv or something along those lines, but we were so tired we all fell asleep.

Sds and I did wake up once...around 9. There was a knocking on our door. We had no Do Not Disturb sign in our room and it was housekeeping coming to do turn down service. Good thing I had remembered to put the lock on because by the time I was actually awake, she was trying to get in and then realized that she couldn't so she left. Sds popped up and said "What's that?" And I told him it was housekeeping and to just go back to sleep.

So we did. We didn't even hear the Electrical Water Pageant. In the dark, cool room, exhausted, we all slept.

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update! Congrats on the upgrade and I'm glad the others moved over as well! Sorry dinner wasn't that great! More please!

[WeLuvTheWorld]

What a full day! Sorry to hear about your experience at dinner.

I hope Jimmy gets to experience the Swiss Family Treehouse before the end of your trip!

Look forward to reading about the rest of your trip.

[bfth]

Although dinner was not that great, since we were there for so long we did miss a long downpour.

I know FL is known for rain storms that pass quickly. This one didn't. Since we were seated in the back there were plenty of windows and I could see it pouring and pouring and pouring. Thought it would pass in 10 minutes. It didn't. Didn't pass in 30 either. Probably more like 50 minutes of heavy rain.

But we missed it!

[dsnytina]

Glad you all made it there safe and sound. Too bad the Contemporary couldn't seem to get it right with your charging privileges or DDP, but an upgrade to concierge level must have helped!
Can't wait to hear about the next day!

[NanaTink]

Great first day! congrats on the upgrade! that is awesome!
Can't wait to hear more!

[Cam22]

I'm just catching up with your TR! Great start! Can't wait for more!