"This is Not the Trip You're Looking For" TR May/June 2011 - COMPLETE About This Page:

[KMB733]

Sorry to hear your vacation was less than magical, but with everything that happened before the trip, I can see how that stress would be a factor. Glad you are writing a TR though.

[Dlandmom2]

Sorry that things aren't going as planned so far on the trip. I'm glad that you're writing a TR though!

[ariel14]

Even though things didn't turn out how you envisioned, I am really glad that you are writing a TR! Thank you!!

[Jakesmom1118]

Great start on the TR! Sorry it didn't start out magical...but I hope there was some magic sprinkled in with all this stress

[fluffcake]

I'm hooked! So what happened??? BTW, you should really think about taking up writing. There is a novel inside you just screaming to be let out.

[islandgirl]

So glad to see you are doing a TR. Sorry about the storms and damage. After our trip with the boys last year (my dream trip), I wonder if any trip to WDW will ever match up to that one. During our last trip, in Feb just DH & I, I was not feeling well during a good portion of the trip. Then I came home with the worst flu ever. Even though it was a wonderful trip, it didn't leave me with the same feelings I had last year. I know every trip can't be perfect. Hope you had some good times, despite the stress. Looking forward to following along.

[sc507]

I'll add my two cents to everyone else's and say I'm glad you are writing a TR, but I'm sorry that it wasn't everything you hoped it would be.

[Nimros]

Originally Posted by emtpej

Sounds like you are off to a good start on your TR!

BTW -- do you know who was Qui-Gon Jinn 's Jedi master? This may have bearing on the rest of your TR, I think.

Ha ha, Erik - it's Count Dooku! Hmmm, I'm wondering where you (and the TR) are going with this....

Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG

Sorry yall got off to a late start ....Wow thats alot of crazy weather!!! Did the cats make it?

Yes, they did. As soon as the storm passed, they were back on the deck, drying off their fur. Thanks for asking.

Originally Posted by llgmommy2

Sorry the trip wasn't everything you wanted, we were there the same time. I agree some CMs were just crabby and not friendly. With that said we had a great trip. Matter of fact we are already planning next year.

More on this subject later...

Originally Posted by Coop

Sorry it wasn't as magical as the last trip. I'm worried about that myself. Our trip last year was wonderful, magical and very special (our honeymoon) and I'm hoping this year will be just as good. I know I shouldn't compare or get my hopes up because stuff happens. Glad you were ok after the storms. I will be following.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

So sorry to hear everything wasn't as magical as you hoped it would be. I'm glad you're sharing your story though.

Originally Posted by Sunshine Family

There are always lessons to be learned in the littlest things in our lives, including trips to Disney.

I am glad that you are sharing so that we may all hopefully learn along with you.

As for the perfect trip - not since I was a kid did I have one of these. Especially now that I travel with someone with special needs. The perfect trip has been re-defined in my house.

Originally Posted by Nick and Ryans Mom

I'm glad to hear that we are not the only ones who have had less-than-magical trips to WDW. After our 2008 Tropical Storm Fay vacation I could not even talk about the trip. While we were there I kept trying to keep positive for my family but when we got home I just kind of crashed... Rain is a 4 letter word!!!

Thanks, everyone. I think the key is to let each trip have its own unique flavor and style. I know we all have vacations that are more 'special' than others, but each one has its own memories and experiences that will never happen again.

Originally Posted by mcc0313

Oh Cathy, I am so sorry that this trip did not turn out to be what you had hoped, but I am so glad that Corrine has talked you into writing a TR anyway. It sounds like you all had some extra stress that did not help this trip start out at 100%, but knowing you I am sure that once the dust settled you will realize there were a lot more "wonderful" moments then you thought. Looking forward to hearing more.

Ahh Meg - you know me too well. I never dwell on the negative for very long and even then, I tend to find the silver linings. (Just like someone else I know. )

[Nimros]

Originally Posted by jennie622

I'm glad you made it through the storms and got on with your vacation, albeit not the perfect vakay.

Originally Posted by mommapants

Sounds like you are doing OK so far. That weather sure is crazy. I hope overall the trip was a good one.

Originally Posted by Haasy

Sorry about the storms. It has been a horrible year for so many. Can't wait to hear more.

You know, I love a good thunderstorm, but I am so over severe weather. And it is crazy weather, no doubt about it.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Sorry about all the weather troubles Cathy! That would definitely be a stress increaser for me! And we too were at WDW for TS Faye. 5 days of pouring rain, which led to a less than magical vacation!

I remember that trip, Marnie....

Originally Posted by lauriep

Oh, dear. I'm glad you're writing this up even though it wasn't the magical trip you hoped for. It does sound like there were a lot of things weighing down on you right from the start.

Looking back on it it, I wish I had taken time to shake them off before we left. Lesson learned!

Originally Posted by scrappyjae

Sometimes even the worst trips can become sources of laughter later on. I know a trip to Baltimore with my DSF was not the "best" day while we were there, but now it is a source of comedy for my kids and I. And a grown man screaming "I can't read the road signs and drive at the same time" is a magical saying now in our family!

Can't wait to hear all about your adventures!

I have a feeling the girls and I will probably come up with some of those fairly soon. Kevin, maaaayybe not!

[bsblady01]

more please

[Nimros]

Originally Posted by KMB733

Sorry to hear your vacation was less than magical, but with everything that happened before the trip, I can see how that stress would be a factor. Glad you are writing a TR though.

Originally Posted by Dlandmom2

Sorry that things aren't going as planned so far on the trip. I'm glad that you're writing a TR though!

Originally Posted by ariel14

Even though things didn't turn out how you envisioned, I am really glad that you are writing a TR! Thank you!!

Originally Posted by Jakesmom1118

Great start on the TR! Sorry it didn't start out magical...but I hope there was some magic sprinkled in with all this stress

Originally Posted by sc507

I'll add my two cents to everyone else's and say I'm glad you are writing a TR, but I'm sorry that it wasn't everything you hoped it would be.

Thanks everyone! I'm glad I'm writing it, too. It's actually very therapeutic in one sense and also helps me focus on all the fun we did have.

Originally Posted by islandgirl

So glad to see you are doing a TR. Sorry about the storms and damage. After our trip with the boys last year (my dream trip), I wonder if any trip to WDW will ever match up to that one. During our last trip, in Feb just DH & I, I was not feeling well during a good portion of the trip. Then I came home with the worst flu ever. Even though it was a wonderful trip, it didn't leave me with the same feelings I had last year. I know every trip can't be perfect. Hope you had some good times, despite the stress. Looking forward to following along.

Being ill can definitely effect your feelings towards your trip...which will be an important part of this TR, too. (You must be intuitive to mention that. )

Originally Posted by fluffcake

I'm hooked! So what happened??? BTW, you should really think about taking up writing. There is a novel inside you just screaming to be let out.

Patience, young padawan. More is to come.
And thank you for your kind words.

[nalexander]

I'm sorry your trip did not turn out as you planned, but I'm glad your writing your trip report.

[Shelley the Pooh]

So glad to hear you are writing a TR report despite the less than stellar feelings about it. I agree with another poster who said that we all learn from them, good or less than good. Which reminds me I need to start mine some time soon before I start forgetting details. I had some similar feelings towards mine too as I think I had too much hype and hope for this one as it was my DH's first time ever to WDW. Plus I'm the planner and with it being my 40th beday too, I kinda didn't want to be in control. Well type A that I am, it kinda drove me nuts the entire trip.

I love that you continued your Star Wars theme. They sooo relate to my life too right now.

Sounds like even thru the storms and the two hour delay, yall had a decent first day. And according to the comments above, sounds like Kevin isn't going to be feeling well for part of the trip. We can, unfortunately, relate to that too!

Can't wait to hear more Jedi wisdoms... and more about your trip!

[Nimros]

"But do we have a plan B? Every operation needs a backup, Anakin." ~ Obi-Wan Kenobi</SPAN>

I’ve been through some pretty nasty storms before, but these clouds were very dark and ominous – it almost felt as if they were chasing us down the road. I would have taken some photos, but I was too busy checking the weather radar. And oh, when the rain and wind hit, I was totally grateful for those new tires, brakes and windshield wipers we had just bought before the trip!

Kevin got right in the HOV lane in Atlanta and we just made as steady progress as possible. There was debris all across the roads; we saw one huge tree that had smashed the top of a retaining wall and was out in the right lane on I-75!

South of Atlanta, the rain finally let up and we decided to stop for dinner. Kevin wanted to eat at Cracker Barrel, and although it took longer than I wanted, I think we all needed to de-stress a bit from driving through such bad weather.

We arrived at our hotel in Cordele a good 3.5 hrs. after I had originally anticipated. The good news was, since we were checking in after 10:00pm, we received a discounted rate! Cha-ching!

I specifically chose the hotel I did because they offered a breakfast; my plan (stick to the plan!) had everyone bringing in only the necessities they needed for a quick getaway the following morning; grab a bite to eat at the hotel, hit the road and we’d be arriving on WDW property before noon! To make a long story short, there was some grumbling about the breakfast offerings from a male member of our party and so we ended up at McDonald’s across the street. Wise woman that I am, I know when to pick my battles and although it put us behind my timeline again, at least we were fed and on the way.

We a-l-m-o-s-t made it to the resort without having to stop for gas – but by the time we got on FL429, there was no choice but to fill up. It was nearing Kevin’s lunchtime and he was starting to feel irritable and hungry and wanting to get something to eat. The rest of us were like, “We are just a few miles away from Disney! No more stopping!” He grumbled but maybe he knew when to pick his battles – so a few minutes later, we were passing under that glorious sign that lets you know you’re at the Happiest Place on Earth!

This was the first trip we had arrived in the middle of the day, and even though we used Online Check-in, the wait was still long.

The girls headed over to Fulton’s to check out which lanyards they’d like to buy while we stood in line. Most of the CMs were a bit grouchy (I overheard them dealing with some very difficult guests, however) so when we approached the counter, I made it my job to get our CM in a better mood and engage her in conversation. It worked; by the time we were finally finished and our Keys to the World in hand, she was smiling.

We found our room (no easy task at Riverside!) unloaded the van and then headed to Sassagoula Food Court so Kevin could get something to eat. His head was still hurting and he said he didn’t know if he was coming down with a cold, but he had sinus drainage.

Just so you understand, I bought an extra park ticket for us to use this afternoon. Since Sunday was our DHS/SWW day with the Fantasmic! Dinner Package that evening, I wanted to get to the Studios today to see how many regular things we could do – plus see the Hyperspace Hoopla. Not only that, but we had Afternoon Tea at GF scheduled for 3:40pm. So I was getting a bit frustrated with the delays and late arrival….

The girls and I told Kevin we’d rather wait and eat at tea, but we’d have a small snack with him.

By the time we finished, it was nearly time to head over to GF.

Afternoon Tea was a special ‘girls’ treat.’ Since Kevin had his Segway Tour to look forward to, I wanted Kelley and Corinne to have a special something to experience, too. We told Kevin he was more than welcome to come, but if he didn’t want to, he could just hang out at the resort. But he said he wanted to go so…we caught the next bus to MK.

It was strange to be arriving at MK but not actually going inside! But fun to catch the monorail and enjoy the beautiful views of the Grand Floridian. These photos are by Cory.

(UP NEXT : One Lump or Two?)

[OCEANGRLLG]

Yeah yall made it!!! Cant wait to read about yalls tea time!