Super Summer Softball Extravaganza-Complete w/ final thoughts About This Page:

[Tink and co.]

Day 1---July 9

We’re up before the alarm went off, and Rob checks the flight/weather status while I hop in the shower. Then Rob showers while I call a taxi and wake the kids. The taxi arrives at 6:00am, and we’re all ready to go! We get to the airport, and today there is curbside check-in at Delta! So, we check our bags, the guy gives us our boarding passes, and we’re on our way. Later, we discuss and find out that we both tipped the skycap, oh well! It was a good day for him I guess! We had some breakfast while waiting for our flight. The kids had donuts and decaf lattes, I had a cinnamon roll and chocolate milk, and dad had some kind of bagel egg sandwich and a coke.

Our flight left on time and we saw the movie “Fever Pitch” which was pretty cute. Jack didn’t care for it much, but he had plenty of other stuff to keep him busy. We landed in Atlanta a little early and had about a 90 minute layover. We ate lunch at the food court where we all tried Popeye’s chicken. It was greasy, but okay. It’s something we don’t have at home, so I’m glad we tried it. They were out of kid’s meal toys, and Jack was quite disgusted. He really prefers the toys to the food! We were off in search of our gate which was easy to find, and we got to ride a little subway! Fun! We were late boarding and taking off from Atlanta due to the rainy weather, and the arrival of Hurricane Dennis. It was an interesting flight. The flight crew had to stay strapped in the entire time, as did we, and you weren’t allowed to use the restroom except in case of emergency. It was stressful, and I was never so glad to get off an airplane in my life! We didn’t notice any outstanding turbulence or anything, so kudos to the pilot!

We made our way to baggage claim and got our luggage and then went to find the rental car. I’d signed up for budget’s fastbreak program, so we didn’t need to go to the counter, but somehow we wound up coming out of the terminal on a floor that didn’t cross to the parking garage… did I mention we were already sweating? And it was raining heavily outside. After a while, a few trips in the elevator, all with 2 tired children, one cranky husband, and lots of luggage! (Hallie and I were fantasizing about running away with the DCL rep about this time. Sigh…) we eventually find our rental car and drive away. I navigate DH onto 417 and we head for the world.

No problem getting to the area, except we drive all around looking for Pop Century and it’s not where the map says it is! I swear! At one point we even wound up in the Epcot parking lot! Eventually, we find it, and check in, with only a small glitch. Our reservation lists one child, one adult and we’re obviously two children, two adults and our room has one king bed. Hmmm…so the room gets changed to two double beds and all is well. We head back to the car and drive to the parking and discover that our room couldn’t be any closer to the parking lot, and is just a short walk to Classic Hall (which is a bonus once I discover frozen coke!). We immediately love our room. I call down to the desk to get directions to Gooding’s so we can pick up a few things (note: it’s nearly 10pm at this point, and I just want to relax, but DH keeps on schedule, and I’m glad!). We find Gooding’s easily enough and buy a cooler, milk, yogurt, paper towels, a flat of water, Gatorade, powdered Gatorade and plastic cups and we’re good to go. We realize we haven’t eaten dinner yet, so we drive through Taco Bell and take it back to the room.

We prepare the cooler, I call for a 7:00 am wake up call, and I lay out stuff for tomorrow and we crash! We’ll decide exactly what to do when we see the weather in the morning, but we made it! Will it be Blizzard Beach or Magic Kingdom?

[Mitzi&Kevin]

Great start can't wait to read more.

Mitzi

[TroianRae]

[ QUOTE ]
Will it be Blizzard Beach or Magic Kingdom?


[/ QUOTE ]

I know! I know!
More, please!! I want to hear all about July 10!!!

[kimdisneynut]

Great start.
Thanks

Kim

[Colexis Mom]

What a great start More please

[lauren-roxy]

Great start!!! Can't wait for more!!

[RobDVC]

You're off to a good start. Glad they were able to take care of the bedding situation quickly for you.

[krisk11]

Good start I can't wait to read more. Could dd & I ever be so lucky that her softball team will travel to Orlando

[BelmontBelle]

Great start! Can't wait to hear what you do tomorrow!

[FanOfMickey]

I love the start of your report, looking forward to reading more!

[Tink and co.]

Day 2--July 10

When the wake up call comes in Rob and I are already awake. We spent most of the night messing with the air conditioning. We either had it too hot or too cold. We finally figured out that if you just leave it on 72 all the time, its fine and works very well. We don’t have air conditioning at home, so it was a new experience for us! I peaked out the window, and it was raining and the trees were bending over with the wind. I think it’s not a good day for Blizzard Beach. Rob suggests that we suit up and head over anyway; after all, it is warm enough. If it’s closed, we’ll come back, change, and head to MK. We dine on Pop Tarts and cereal before we head out.

We were first at the gate (and in the first parking spot as well!), but we were not chosen to be the opening family. I think they thought our kids were too little to ride the Summit Plummet. We had fun looking at the CMs pins and chatting about our Disney Cruise. I was actually selling Disney employees on the Disney Cruise Line. What can I say? They ought to pay me! We entered the park, rented a locker and checked everything out. We had a great time all morning. We rode everything except Summit Plummet and the other very tall one next to it, and the kids spent some time playing in the Ski Patrol Training Camp (this was their favorite thing).

We lunched at the main food place near the entrance. I had a chicken wrap, which was yummy, the kids had pizza and mac and cheese. Rob had a chili cheese dog. It was all good. We hit the water again, and the kids played for a long time in the Ski Patrol area while Rob and I relaxed. It misted rain off and on during the day, and was a little windy (the ski lift never opened because of the wind), but a really pleasant day. Crowds were light, and we’ve really never enjoyed a water park more. There was so much that we could all do together. And listening to Matterhorn music in the heat couldn’t be beat! I really liked the theming, and the kid’s areas were superb. I liked how the big kids and little kids areas were separate, and everything was very age appropriate.

About 1:30, I go to locate a shower so I can clean up for my first ever Passporter meet, and after some hunting discover that there are only the outside, rinse off variety. So, plan B. We drag the kids out of the water, and buy the most delicious snow cones ever on our way out of the park. Oh, and we check out the gift shop as well, and make a few purchases and squished pennies (Hallie and Jack are avid collectors.). We buzz back to Pop where I take a shower, and change and then off to drop me at the Grand Floridian for tea. Rob and the kids hadn’t changed out of their suits yet, and Rob says, “I wish I’d worn a shirt.” I answer, “who’s gonna care if you have a shirt on?” (Except for me, you sexy man! &#61514 Apparently, the guy at the parking kiosk for the Grand Floridian cared! He gave Rob quite the look. Sorry, parking guy, I like my chauffeur’s shirtless. I am dropped off with a pick up time for 4:30. We have opening ceremonies for softball at 6:30, and we have to figure out how to get there and eat dinner before.

I make my way into the lobby, find the Garden View Lounge, and check in at the podium. I’m then directed to Jana and Tenya who are waiting for me. They fill me in on Annabel’s status, and while I’m sad that I don’t get to meet her, I’m glad she’s safe. After we’re seated, we discuss what to order, and we’re all a bit stumped. We NEED our British friend. We had a delicious snack that was more like a meal, and I would love to go there again. Chatting with Jana and Tenya was just like meeting an old friend. It was a terrific first meet experience. Thanks for including me ladies. I loved it!

My chauffer (this time wearing a shirt!) arrived right on time with two clean children in the back seat. I navigate Rob to the Festival Bay mall easily enough, and we discover that we are in the correct place when we see others on our team. We spend the evening with deafening music, and an obnoxious DJ host that no one can understand. They did announce all the teams and there was a parade around the pond in the middle of the mall. At some point Rob and the kids had dinner from Subway in the mall. I still wasn’t hungry after my tea. We also visited the Ron Jon Surf Shop. We were glad when the important parts were over, and we could sneak out. Jack’s ears were hurting from the noise, and we were all ready to relax. We made our way back to the room, prepared everything for the next day and crashed once again. Tomorrow is another day full of new experiences. Will we find the softball fields?, Dad tries Disney golf, we hit the Magic Kingdom, and meet someone famous!

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update Glad you had a great time at BB And got to meet some PPs too

More please

[BelmontBelle]

Sounds like you had a great day! Can't wait for more.

[bsblady01]

sounds like you had a great trip so far can't wait to read more.

[Grammy Grumpy]

I am so jealous! You have started your TR and I've barely finished laundry and putting away my souveniers from our trip. Can't wait to hear more!