An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 About This Page:

[mojjo]

What a great start to the trip. I'm so glad it was a smooth flight. And I see nothing wrong with Stef taking credit for a safe landing.

[JoJayMom]

Great Start - I have been waiting for your TR to start!! The cockpit was very cool! BTW, is that a polka dot Minnie backpack Stef had in the car? So Cute, where did you get that?

[MayraLR]

Great start Cam!! What a cool experience for Stefanie, getting to tour the cockpit! Can't wait to read more.

[HollyH]

I absolutely LOVE the picture of Stefanie with Mark the pilot!!!! What a great shot!!! And how great that Stefanie got to check out the cockpit and fly the plane!

[Missy71]

Love how Stephanie got to sit in the cockpit and "fly" the plane! What a great way to start your vacation.

[Disdadnmi]

Cant wait for more



Brent

[dsteiny23]

I am so excited that you've starte. But seriously...how in the heck did I end up 7 pages behind already.

Wow!! What a flight down! The magic has already begun. Yup...we're doin' some Matthews gift bags this year. Tell Stef she looks a natural in that cockpit and we'll need her in November to fly us down to MCO.

Thanks for the Disney love while you were down there, and I'm really looking forward to savoring every minute of this TR.

[islandgirl]

Off to a great start! How !! The magic has begun for Stefanie already!! Looking forward to more!

[deerislemom]

So glad you've started your trip report! I've been wondering how your trip went. I love your goodie bag for the car and the gift bags for the crew...your magical touch and creative efforts made even the mundane parts of the vacation an experience to remember. Can't wait to read more.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by Pixar Pixie

So happy you've started! I get "travel tummy" also...and it's always the worst before I'm going to be flying. On a trip to WDW a few years ago, we had a breakfast ADR at Chef Mickey's on our departure day before heading to the airport. DH took video during that meal and I'm hardly in it as I spent almost the whole meal in the bathroom with a nervous stomach. Thank goodness when we head to WDW in two weeks we'll be driving!

More please!

Stefanie tummy troubles are with the car ride, not the plane. Usually by the time we get to the airport, she is totally fine. She does the same for any fairly long car ride! Wish I could figure out how to help her get past the nerves.

Originally Posted by mousestruck

Those goodie bags are such a wonderful idea. How special that Stefanie had the opportunity to check out the cockpit and "fly the plane"! Sounds like your trip was magical right from the start.

We did have a very magical start to our trip even before reaching Florida!

Originally Posted by POOH

What a great start. How cool that Stefanie got to sit in the cockpit.
My cousin just told me about The Help over the weekend. She said it was really good. Once she gets it back from her sister-in-law, it's heading my way.

I several chapters in and loving this book. Hope you do, too!

Originally Posted by Pixar Pixie

All caught up now and just had to say that it was so cool that Stephanie got to sit in the cockpit! Sounds like you had a great crew - I'm thinking that next time I fly it should be Southwest...I'm a nervous flyer but I've heard great things about them...

Looking forward to more!

We have always had the best crews and flights traveling with SWA. The pilots are usually friendly and the attendants are very attentive, even without goody bags. In fact, it was their great service that caused me to create the bags in the first place.

Originally Posted by mcc0313

Those were some really powerful goody bags - front row seats, a trip to the cockpit and a smooth flight to MCO.

Hope everything goes well with the shuttle. So strange for a Cam report not to start off with the DME, but I am excited to hear all about your Universal adventures.

It was weird not boarding DME right away. Stefanie is still complaining about that.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Wow! That flight was almost a ride at WDW, complete with pre-show. The pilot sounds like a real sweetheart. I'm sure the Crew members really appreciated the goodie bags and the time and thought that went into putting them together. How great for Stefanie!

I wish I had included a picture of Stefanie filling the bags for each of them as they kept complimenting her on them. She really does take the filling and giving out of the bags very seriously.

Originally Posted by ariel14

You are a genius for making those goody bags!!!! How that Stefanie got to "fly" the plane!!!

I'm always amazed at how special the crew makes her feel because of the bags.

Originally Posted by brandy_mel

So I've been thinking about doing the goodie bags myself, but your story just pushed me over the edge. How cool!! I think my daughter would really get into it.

Can't wait to hear more.

Can't wait to hear how the bags work for your DD!

Originally Posted by Nimros

That is just the best story ever! I can just imagine how exciting that must have been for Stefanie - driving the plane!! Just goes to show you that a little appreciation goes a long way.

They always tell me how thoughtful I am as they figure I've had a part in the bags. I tell them that as a teacher I truly understand how nice it is to feel a bit of appreciation. Sometimes I think we've run our course on the bags, but then the smiles and joy on the crews' faces, reminds me why we keep doing it. I'm going to be doing bags for a long, long time.

Originally Posted by DrDolphin

Sounds like the flight down was a really great time!! Glad the goody bags were such a success, and that Stephanie got to "fly" the plane!

She still talks about flying the plane!

Originally Posted by eff051102

Great pics of Stefanie in the cockpit. Those goodie bags seem to score you some
great luck. Can't wait for more.

They do and they also let a few people know that we are grateful for the job they do.

Originally Posted by KathleenAnn

What a great way to start your vacaction. How exciting for Stefanie to "fly" the plane. I just love the picture of her and your pilot, Mark. She looks so proud and happy!

Enjoy The Help. It is a great book. I hope the movie is as good!

Mark was such a kind individual! I'm looking forward to the movie already and I've only read the first few chapters.

Originally Posted by Luvsun

Stefanie flew the plane! You guys did not reveal that little fun news with us! How exciting for her! Those goody bags are such a sweet idea!!
Tell Stefanie she looks like a pro in that pilot's seat!
By the way, I Stefanie's Tink hat! She looks so cute!!!
I must admit to you, that not only am I having WDW withdraw, but I am having
Cam, Luke and Stefanie withdraw! Miss you guys!

I can't believe we forgot to mention that as we were all so excited over it.
She really took flying the plane seriously. She realized later that she never wore the hat with you and it's the one you sent her.
I was working on PhotoPass pictures today when I got to the ones of us riding the float. I missed you and Carly instantly! Stefanie and I are hoping we'll get to see you again!

Originally Posted by mandy1627

Oh what a wonderful memory! What a great pilot! I love the photos of Stef "flying the plane!" So much magic and you were not even in the "Disney Bubble" yet! Great flight! Can't wait to hear more!

Our flight down was truly a pleasant and exciting adventure!

Originally Posted by omd

Yay your TR has begun ! I have been patiently waiting for it. I feel bad that Stefanie had some tummy troubles so soon but glad that she felt better soon.
The pictures of her in the cockpit were awesome. I love that the pilot let her pretend she was flying the plane. Her expressions were priceless. It was such a wonderful way to start her vacation.

I couldn't fit into the cockpit with Luke and Stefanie (it really is quite small), so I had to rely on Luke's photos to let me know how she was reacting. He said she was very serious about the whole business.

Originally Posted by mojjo

What a great start to the trip. I'm so glad it was a smooth flight. And I see nothing wrong with Stef taking credit for a safe landing.

Stefanie had no trouble taking credit!

Originally Posted by JoJayMom

Great Start - I have been waiting for your TR to start!! The cockpit was very cool! BTW, is that a polka dot Minnie backpack Stef had in the car? So Cute, where did you get that?

It is a Minnie backpack and we purchased it at the Emporium on Main Street USA (MK) back in November. I did not see them this trip, but then we weren't looking for them either. She also has a matching billfold to go with it.

Originally Posted by HollyH

I absolutely LOVE the picture of Stefanie with Mark the pilot!!!! What a great shot!!! And how great that Stefanie got to check out the cockpit and fly the plane!

It was fascinating for all of us! Such very kind pilots!

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

I am so excited that you've starte. But seriously...how in the heck did I end up 7 pages behind already.

Wow!! What a flight down! The magic has already begun. Yup...we're doin' some Matthews gift bags this year. Tell Stef she looks a natural in that cockpit and we'll need her in November to fly us down to MCO.

Thanks for the Disney love while you were down there, and I'm really looking forward to savoring every minute of this TR.

She did look so comfortable as though she actually knew what to do. Definitely do the bags as your boys will love the added attention. Maybe you can send some Disney love our way in November as we'll be missing our home away from home pretty bad by then.

[materstater]

We don't fly but I was thinking what a great way to show appreciation to those who check us in or those bus drivers who get us to the park safely. What a great idea!! More we want More please!!!!

[cubfancolleen]

Great start to the trip with the pilot giving Stefanie such good attention! And sitting in the cockpit, very !

[rhinohunter]

Love the start. Stephanie really looked good sitting in the cockpit. She sure made a great impression on teh crew.

[shnewell]

How fun that Stefanie got so much special attention from the crew and got to "fly" the plane! Your journey is off to a magical start so far!

[Nemo125]

Yea!!! What a great 1st day! I love all the details you put in your writing. I have to agree w/Ann that I am too going thru DW withdrawls and Cam, Luke & Stefanie withdrawls as well. Hopefully we'll see each other again soon - and then Stefanie can meet Jeff, aka Grumpy, and pick on him all she wants!!!