The RZ 2002 WDW Expedition About This Page:

[Disneyphile's Wife]

Preparations: It Pays To Be Flexible

Dates: April 19 – 29, 2002

Cast: North Jersey Contingent
Me (Kimberly): 39 years old, 7th visit
DH (Edward): 37 years old, 9th visit
DS (Joshua): 7 years old, 5th visit

South Jersey Contingent
DBiL (David): 33 years old, 6th visit
DSiL (Robin): 39 years old, 9th visit
DN (Ethan): 5 ½ months old, 1st visit

Maryland Contingent
DM (Sandy or Mom): 60 years old, 2nd visit
DSis (Kathi): 37 years old, 2nd visit
DN (Davey): 5 years old, 1st visit

The seeds for this trip were planted in 1999, when Mom came with us to see Joshua at Walt Disney World. We all agreed that this was a good time and that, when Davey was old enough, the six of us should go and enjoy it together.

This year, Kathi decided it was time, so planning began. We all agreed that summer was way too hot, but, since Mom and Kathi work on taxes, they couldn’t go until after April 15. After looking at Edward’s work schedule and Joshua’s school schedule, we decided to schedule the trip around his spring break, April 22-26.

At this point, David and Robin were planning their own vacation. They had been with us on the 1999 trip and had had a good time. That, the fact that Robin is as big a Disneyphile as Edward is and that the cruise they were also looking at didn’t provide childcare for infants combined; they decided to join us.

The next step was to figure out how we would get down there. The Jersey contingents decided to fly down April 19th; the South Jersey contingent in the morning and the North Jersey contingent in the evening. Kathi didn’t want to fly, in part because she wanted to stop at the ocean for a while and in part because of September 11. In the interests of their having some energy when they arrived to finish out Saturday, they decided to take the Auto Train down, which would put them in Florida Saturday morning, and drive back. This would have the additional advantage of making the trip down even more special for Davey, as he loves trains.

In checking out rates for hotels, we came across an especially good rate for the Comfort Suites Maingate East: a suite that can sleep six for $55 a night. Although, when possible, we prefer staying on-site, there were three reasons we decided not to this year: 1. Many of the reasons for staying on site (package delivery to the rooms, early-entry mornings, E-ride nights, etc.) have been eliminated in the wake of September 11 and the recession. 2. The less expensive Disney resorts provide double, not queen or king, beds. As Edward and I are not comfortable in double beds, this is a concern for us. 3. Cost!

Everything was set up, and planning had moved to what to pack. Thursday, April 18, the day before we were to leave, Edward saw on the Internet that the Auto Train crashed in Seville, Florida, on its way north, killing at least six people and injuring over 100. Although our inconvenience is obviously nothing compared to those mourning their loss, it still left us with practical problems: how were Mom, Kathi and Davey to get to Florida.

We immediately called Mom and Kathi. It was a couple of hours later when they called back; they had heard about the crash in the Emergency Room. After his T-Ball game, Davey had been climbing on the monkey bars—and fell off. He was crying and acting unlike himself, so Kathi decided he needed to be checked over by a doctor. When she went to drive him to the hospital, she discovered that Mom had her keys. So, she called the ambulance to take Davey to the hospital. After he was looked at and they got home (he was OK, fortunately, just bumped, bruised and shaken up), they found that their train was cancelled. So, they went back to the original plan; they were driving down.

[Ursunique2001]

No matter how much you plan.......

well it seems that yall are on your way regardless.

[Fortissimo]

And then what happened?

Looking forward to more!

[AKLRULZ]

Well, the trip can only go one way from here - UP!! Looking forward to hearing more!

[tikibird]

Wow, sounds like a rough start (I also spent the evening prior to our last trip in the ER), but looking forward to your adventure, and your thoughts on the hotel!

[Mauimouse]

Wow, what a start. I hope that things get better.

Looking forward to read more about your trip. Thanks for Sharing.

[Brant]

Great start! Seemks like all us North Jersey "contingents" get to have all the traveling fun [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] . Keep it coming!

-Jose Carioca

[TINKN]

Sending pixie dust for the best possible outcome. Thinking of you all.

[Fortissimo]

Pixie Dust and prayers are on their way.

[sammycat699]

So sorry to hear the news. My father had an annurism several years ago. He came through it but it was very scarry for the first couple of weeks. Sending pixie dust for Mom and another dose for the family.
Keep us updated.

[Pjpoohbear]

heaps and heaps of pixie dust magic coming your way! [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

[TheGoof]

Thank you to everyone. This is a very hard time for us, as we are in limbo, without a prognosis.

Your pixie dust and prayers are most welcome. I will pass them onto Kimberly and the rest of the family as well.

Edward

[Disneyphile's Wife]

To everyone sending pixie dust and prayers, they are greatly appreciated. When I told my family about them (after explaining where they were from), they thanked all of you. My sister, the other adult of the Maryland contingent, said "You think there's so much bad in the world. Then something like this happens, and you find out how much good there is."

I will be continuing the trip report, as I suspect it will be good therapy. I just have to get back to my notes first.

Again, thanks to all.

Kimberly

[rescuesk]

Kimberly,

So sorry to hear your news. Sending mega-pixie dust for you and your Mom and your whole family.

Sue

[TheGoof]

Sorry everyone, my Wife, Kimberly will not be able to continue this for a little while yet.

Unfortunately, Tuesday evening after we were all home, her mother Sandy, one of the Maryland "contingent" suffered a ruptured annurism. We are now in West Virginia were she is a patient.

She is stable but very critical, and we don't know yet whether she will pull through or not, and if she does what her quality of life will be.

I am sure that when Kimberly is able she will be back to finish the trip report, but for the moment, her focus is where it needs to be.

Thanks everyone.

Edward

[ 05-03-2002, 12:27 PM: Message edited by: TheGoof ]