The "Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip" Trip - Thread 1 About This Page:

[simbarel]

Well Jeez! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I REALLY hope your trip gets more magical!

[BabieeMelly]

I kept checking back to see if you had started the report yet, and I'm so glad that you did! What a rough start [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Rough starts are a lot easier, though, when you're on your way to somewhere fun, especially Disney! I can't wait to read more!

[Colexis Mom]

[ QUOTE ]

Any bets as to who will finish their trip report first, you or me.? Granted, I had a two month head start, but you're such a seasoned professional at these that I'm still not sure that was enough of a lead to make it a fair race.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Geez Jeff, it's going to be a race, because I can't get motivated to write this thing [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I hope to have another installment up by the weekend (sorry guys [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] ) and I hope you'll have the same [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

[bsblady01]

more please

[LLaffinPlace]

Hot dog, a Marnie Trip Report!

I was biting my nails with your start, but you finally made it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I hope the rest of the trip went well--you certainly earned it! Looking forward to the next installment.

[Colexis Mom]

Day 1 – Saturday, December 10th : A rough start

Well, as expected, the kids were wide awake by 6:30 AM. Colin is usually awake by 5:30 AM, so frankly I considered myself lucky! So much for getting some sleep [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Heck, I can manage on 3 hours, right?? We put on the TV to settle them down for a few minutes, then gather our composure and headed down to the free continental breakfast. It’s one of the perks which I love, and is the main reason that I try to stay at Hampton Inns! They have hot eggs and sausage as well, so it’s really more than just continental. Colin had a donut, some fruit, and some juice, Alexa had a chocolate chip muffin, and I had some yogurt and cereal. Matt went all out with the biscuits, eggs, and sausage patties! The hostess even came by with hot cinnamon buns [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

Our tummies full, we headed upstairs. It was time to take showers and get cleaned up. The weather called for mostly clouds, upper 60s today, so we’ll see if that pans out (thankfully they were wrong!). I put the kids in shorts and sweatshirts, but donned Capri pants for myself. It needs to be above 75 for me to put on some shorts [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Matt made one trip down to the car to bring some stuff down, and I grabbed my pocketbook to make sure we had everything. Well, I looked for it. I couldn’t find it anywhere [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] Then it dawned on me [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] I had brought it downstairs to breakfast, and with all the commotion of coming back up to the room, I must have left it down there [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] OMG, I panicked. I grabbed Alexa (Colin was with Matt) and I ran down to the front desk. I asked the woman if anyone had turned in a lost pocketbook, and low and behold, after giving my room number, she turned it over. She kept saying I was very lucky, over and over again [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] I know that, stop beating me up about it as I’ve only had 3 hours sleep [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] Thankfully nothing was gone, the $400 in cash was still there, so there were pixies looking over me this morning [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] One more trip back upstairs to gather Matt and the rest of our belongings, and we said goodbye to the Hampton Inn (and another round of thanks [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] )!

The plan this morning was to go to AKL to check in, and to AK park for the morning, although it didn’t have to be in that order. Since it was already quickly approaching 9, we just decided to go to AK park, and we’d check in after lunch. I was a bit nervous heading to AK park this morning, as it was EMH for resort guests (which we didn’t qualify for yet) and I was concerned it would be crowded. I shouldn’t have worried, as we made out just fine.



We made it to the toll plaza and forked over $9. Since when did parking go up again? Geez! We ended up not parking too far out. After we got out of the cars, opened up the strollers, and gathered our belongings (while taking small children by the hand………), we decided to just walk to the front gate as we weren’t that far, and who wants to fold up the strollers again [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] We even made it before the tram. First stop was Guest Relations to turn our vouchers into Annual Passes [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img] That was a painless process, and we were the proud new holders of Cinderellabration (Alexa), Animal Kingdom (Colin), Soarin’ (Matt), and Lights, Action, Motors (me). The lines to get thru the turnstiles were also non-existent, so in no time at all, we were walking past the Tree of Life!

The plan was to get a FP for the Safari, although the stand by line said 15 minutes. FPs in hand, we headed off to the Boneyard for the kids. They found some drums along the way, and made some tunes!



I was disappointed we didn’t run into DeVine this time on the path to Dinoland. Once at the Boneyard, the kids ran wild. Up and down, all around, and then finally over to the Dig Site.



After about 30 minutes in there (that’s about all I can take) we meandered out into Dinoland. Colin wanted to ride Triceratop Spin, and Alexa did not. I took Colin for his ride, while Matt took Alexa for some carnival games. Now I had given Matt strict instructions with the carnival games (he wasn’t supposed to be playing them at all). Those who’ve read my past reports will remember the crying we’ve had in the past when Alexa doesn’t win. Matt was instructed that they could only play a game that no one else was playing so that Alexa would win, and we’d be done with it.

The dinosaur that Colin and I chose was not working on Triceratop Spin, and we weren’t able to go up and down. BUMMER! We exited and found the gamers, Alexa happy with a mini dinosaur in her hand [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] Of course, Colin sees that and now needs one too [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] Ugh. Matt took them to a game, and I headed to the pin cart, to buy some locking backs for our pin collection, as we had run out at home when I was putting them on the lanyards for the trip. The CM asked if I’d like to contribute to the Wildlife fund (the first of many times) so I said yes, and got a nice pin in return. I gave that to Colin, and he couldn’t have been happier. He had his own pin, and proudly wore it everyday we were there! Much better than the dinosaur.

Hunger was starting to set in, so we stopped for ice cream on the way back to the Safari. Colin had an orange juice bar, and Alexa an ice cream sandwich [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] I just had some water, as I was feeling very dehydrated. Tummies full, we showed our FPs and got into line. FP didn’t gain us any advantage other than a shorter walk thru the queue, because there wasn’t really a line anyway. With a round of JUMBO!, we were off in search of animals! I didn’t take too many shots, as the camera battery dying and I was just trying to enjoy the ride!



We gathered up the strollers, and headed in search of lunch. It was quickly approaching noon, and we (at least me and Matt) were craving something other than ice cream! Tusker House won out, mainly due to its proximity to our current location. We found a nice table outside on the patio where we could enjoy the warm sun. It was really turning into a beautiful day! I had the Tusker House Chicken Salad, Matt had the Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Alexa had a kid’s meal with a chicken drumstick. Colin just picked at everyone’s plates. We all enjoyed the food (definitely get the salad [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] ) and got to see some acrobats setting up just as we were about to leave. Oh well, maybe next time! It was time to head over to the AKL to see if our room was ready [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]

Coming Up Next……..Is the Room Ready? And More Firsts at the Lodge

[ariel14]

Sounds like a great day so far!
More pls!

Cindy

[debsta922]

Sounds like you had a great first day!

[MontiMouse]

Great updates Marnie. I am glad you were finally able to make it to Orlando. I wondered about the Chicken Salad from Tusker House last time we were there but didn't want to take the chance. Glad to hear you liked it. I will be sure to try it on our next trip. Hope you find time to post another update soon!

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Marnie!! I'm so glad you were able to get your purse back! Sounds like a really fun day so far!! Can't wait to read more!!

[Caldercup]

Just got caught up, Marnie. Great stuff -- even with the eventful flight out and the lack of sleep the first day, it seems the pixies are with you!

Can't wait for more!
Eileen

[HueyDeweyandLouiesMom]

Marnie I am soo glad that your purse was turned in with all its contents! Lack of sleep can have some bad results...

I can't wait to see and hear about AKL....Gotta get my fill before we arrive of course! I am getting so stinkin excited to stay there!

[Tara O'Hara]

Marnie how scary about your purse! Thank goodness you got it back intact! Glad you made it down safely and are having a nice first day so far! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[chezp]

Hey - you finally made it to a Disney park! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] What a relief about your pocketbook. I guess the Disney magic started early that day for you. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

[MAria R]

Great update, glad you got your purse and everything in it back.