‘Why yes, I AM smokin' the GOOD stuff!’ 22 - 29 August 2007 Trip Report - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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‘Why yes, I AM smokin' the GOOD stuff!’ 22 - 29 August 2007 Trip Report
The ‘Why yes, I AM smokin’ the GOOD stuff!’ Trip Report
22 August – 29 August 2007
Pre-Trip report, Part 1
Well, I tried to be like Princess Sharon and complete my last trip report before starting the next one but it’s looking like that won’t be the case. The good news is that I’ll be bringing my laptop along for this trip so I’ll be able to do a ‘live’ report while I’m there.
The Motive
A few months before my mom passed away, she told me that she hoped all of her grandchildren could go to Disney World together at least once. After she passed away, I wanted to make sure this happened. So after months of planning, scoring Free Dining via the BounceBack promotion at Disney this past December, making my sister stick with a savings schedule that drove her nuts, the result is a group of kids so happy they’re going to be able to experience the Happiest Place On Earth and share that experience with each other.
As for me, folks keep asking me what drugs am I taking to make me take all these kids to Disney and can they have some! LOL! I’m just wondering how many times I’ll get asked, “Are these ALL your kids?”.
The Usual Suspects (Just who is going on this trip anyway?)
Me, Adrenaline Pixie #1 – Posing as a responsible adult, I’m the travel agent, tour guide, referee and ATM for this trip. Been to the World wayyy tooo many times to count. Still in mourning that Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride bought the farm. ::
DD(7), Princess Avery – All too happy to be going on her annual ‘Disney trip before school’. Is looking forward to doing two Pirate and Princess Parties and bringing all of her summer princess gowns. Is also looking forward to sharing her vast Disney experience with her youngest cousin, Pirate Izzy. Princess Avery has PDD and has come a long way since she was diagnosed with this Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) early this year. She thrives at Disney and being there really helps with her emotional coping skills. I suspect that within the next year or so we may not need a GAC.
DGSis(14), Princess Devin – She’s fourteen, and I used to babysit her when she was a wee little baby. Now that she’s grown up, she helps me out with my daughter in exchange for cash and ‘first raid’ rights of my shoe collection. Her sister got to go to Europe this year so she gets to go with me to Disney. Saying she’s excited is an understatement. Her main objective is to shop and check under every rock and crack for Corbin Bleu (Chad from High School Musical). Is prone to squealing, “Corbin is SO CUTE!!!” every hour on the hour.
DN#1(13), Prince Quincy – This kid, my oldest nephew, has been a Disney nut since birth and while he’s visited the World twice, he hasn’t done it anywhere near on this kind of scale. He’s used to staying off-property and has never been immersed in Disney magic. Quincy is a huge anime fan and his biggest wish on this trip is to visit the Japan pavilion and try to score some Kingdom Hearts merchandise. He’s very artistic and has even made his own ‘Sao Feng’ sword for the P&P parties we’re attending. We also kid him that he’s been in love with Ariel since he was two years old and I am hell bent on getting a photo of him with said mermaid.
DN#2(8), Pirate Yisrael (Izzy) – The last time my youngest nephew was at Disney he got lost in the Blizzard Beach park and nearly gave my mom a heart attack! LOL! Now he’s resorted to driving me crazy as to when we’re leaving for Disney and all the stuff he wants to do. He wants to meet Stitch, Captain Jack Sparrow and Donald Duck most of all. I am quite glad he’s going because for all the princess stuff Avery wants to do, he wants to do pirate stuff. Thank goodness! Also, he looks like a little ‘Corbin Bleu’, much to Devin’s delight and his chagrin.
The Compound
We are staying at my favorite resort in all of the World, The Polynesian! Plenty of room for all five (5) of us and I’m hoping we get a room facing the volcano pool. Some folks joke about it but yes, part of the pull of this resort for me is that it does remind me of the ‘Tiki Idol’ episode of the Brady Bunch. Kitsch like that is hard to come by. There is a lot of children’s activities plus cultural aspects that I want to expose the kids to. I’m very much looking forward to winding down in the evenings at the Tambu Lounge and trying every drink on the menu before I leave. This resort was my ‘dream’ at Disney and I tear up thinking that these kids will get the chance to experience what my mother wanted them to at a resort she thought was magical as well.
Next up --> There is no way I’m going to be able to sleep tonight thanks to the excitement, my Type-A personality and OCD so I’ll next post our touring plans and special events we’re doing.
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Trish (AKA Mum to 'Princess Avery')
Hittin' WDW since Space Mountain was 'Coming Soon'
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Well, if you aren't finishing the other one any time soon, at least we have this one to read! Seriously, I love your trip reports, and I can't wait to hear how this trip goes!
Wow, what a great daughter you are to accomplish your DM's wish!!!
Also, can we say "Best Auntie in the Whole World"???
Can't wait to read all about your plans!!!
Tina
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Tina
2009 Feb Disneyland - offsite
2007 Aug WDW - offsite
2005 June DCL West Coast/DL & DCA
2002 April Disneyland - offsite
2000 September WDW/DCL - CBR/Wonder
Lucky you!! Leaving tomorrow! I am sooooo ready to check into the Poly myself but alas I have to wait until October 2nd. Have a wonderful trip! Can't wait to read your updates!
This sounds like an amazing trip. And I thought I was brave taking my 6yo niece by myself. What courage you have!! Excited to hear your plans!!
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world
__________________
Heather - "I'm Tinkerbell's biggest fan!"
WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
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The ‘Why yes, I AM smokin’ the GOOD stuff!’ Pre-Trip Report - Part 2
The ‘Why yes, I AM smokin’ the GOOD stuff!’ Trip Report
22 August – 29 August 2007
Pre-Trip report, Part 2
It's 2:45am EDT on our departure day and I'm sitting here at my laptop while I touch up the hair color on my roots. The kids didn't settle down until around 1am and I haven't been to sleep yet. No worries though. I plan to fall asleep as soon as the plane pushes back from the gate.
Packing for the Expedition
I swear it took me F-O-R-E-V-E-R to pack for all of the kids! My godsister packed her own stuff last night with help from her mom (they were up until 4am). I'm used to packing Avery's things but my sister can't pack her kids' stuff to save her life. So I'm packing for three kids PLUS myself. Augggh! It's done though and now all of our luggage looks nice and neat with the yellow ME tags on the baggage to be checked. Everyone's 'travelling' outfits have been laid out. I swear, we're going to be so coordinated we'll put the Von Trapp family to shame.
Keep the Cash Comin'!
My father, the kids grandfather, dropped by earlier this evening with a gift for all of them. They each got $100 Disney Dollars! Lucky ducks! I told them they'd have to write Pop-Pop a thank you postcard and mail it while we're down at Disney. DD will probably blow all of hers at Tinkerbell's Treasures. LOL! These kids have got to have the most obscene amount of spending money for this trip. It's hard not to feel a little jealous of them but they're good kids and they really deserve to have a great time on this trip.
The Pickup
I was going to use an airport parking service that I have a discount through work for but my SUV only seats four so that was out. Got a good advance purchase deal from an airport limo service that included gratuity each way. They're picking us up at 5:45am and I've told the kids I'm waking them up around 4:45am. They think I'm kidding.
Well, I'm off to get a sum total of 45 minutes of sleep before rousing the troops.
__________________
Trish (AKA Mum to 'Princess Avery')
Hittin' WDW since Space Mountain was 'Coming Soon'
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and I've told the kids I'm waking them up around 4:45am. They think I'm kidding.
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