The Surviving Deployment Trip Report, Updated 10/18 COMPLETE!! About This Page:

[dsnytina]

Pinocchio was absolutely adorable. He was perfect!
Oh, no, sick at WDW! Hope your wonderful daughter took care of you!
Can't wait to read more!

[PamelaK]

I'm not liking that you are feeling so sick at WDW, but the video of Pinocchio was absolutely wonderful.

[PrincessSharon]

What a fun day at the Studios! With lots of great character interactions (the video was cute). Sorry you were still feeling sick and it looks like you didn't get better right away.

[Meggera]

September 18, 2009 - Day 5
Unfortunately, I woke up this morning very, very sick. I was completely congested with a horrible cough that rattled in my chest. I talked to Victoria and explained the situation. I told her she could go into the parks with Jennifer (our cousin), and I could stay at the hotel and sleep. She didn't like that idea. She didn't want to go to the parks without me. I saw the disappointment on her face, and I felt so bad, but there was nothing I could do. I was really sick.

I called Jennifer and told her not to come today and that I was too sick to go into the parks. I told her I'd call her tomorrow and let her know if she should come then or not.

I got Victoria to go to concierge and cancel our ADRs to Teppan Edo and Tutto Italia. How sad is that? I also told her we'd order pizza for dinner. I asked her to find some cough medicine for me in Everything Pop. One little tidbit about me and medicine...I don't take liquid medicines. I don't handle them well, and I never have. My mother used to get so mad at me because she'd give me liquid medicine, and I'd throw it up. Liquid medicines and I don't get along. I haven't had a liquid medicine since I was a little girl. So, Victoria knew I was sick since I was asking her to get me some liquid cough medicine. She also knew I was dead serious about getting better. I asked her to get me some cough drops, too.

Victoria took our mugs and got drinks. She cancelled our ADRs, bought me some cough medicine and cough drops, and took care of me all day. Honestly, the day is a blur to me. Victoria watched TV. She did a lot of walking back and forth to the main building. She was so wonderful. She never complained once.

I took Nyquil around the clock. Another thing about me and medicine...it affects me greatly. At home, I normally take half a dose of Nyquil, and it knocks me out. So, here I was at WDW taking full doses of Nyquil every six hours. Can you say serious medicine head? I was so out of it!

At some point during the day, I got internet service so Victoria could play online if she wanted to. I got online myself and tried to make an ADR for Teppan Edo for the next day, but I had no luck. I did have luck getting an ADR to Tutto Italia for lunch...just in case.

During the day, Victoria took a picture of our Trick-or-Treat loot.


She watched a lot of the Disney Channel and saw a show where Pooh was dressed up as a super hero (I guess??). Anyway, she took a picture of it because this is the costume Pooh wore at the MNSSHP, and she wanted me to see it.


She went to the food court and got us some lunch. She got me some sort of chicken and pasta. I have a picture but don't ask me what it's called. It was okay. I hardly remember eating it.


She got herself some sort of tasty looking sandwich. Sorry. She'll have to get on here and talk about it.


I tried my tie dyed cheesecake. I have to say, I was disappointed. I expected it to be like a normal cheesecake, but it actually had a cake bottom. That was weird. Needless to say, I only ate the top of it and won't get it again.


I continued to sleep. Dinner time came. Who knows what time that was? I don't. I do know that I called for pizza delivery and used two TS credits. The pizza was huge, and we only managed to eat half of it. I felt bad about wasting so much food. Plus, we got more chocolate cake. Geez! They were really piling up.

We didn't take pictures of the pizza. I just wasn't in my right mind.

So, that's our day. I really have no clue what Victoria did all day. I slept about 30 hours. Sad, huh?

I'll be back with our next day very soon.

UP NEXT: Will Laura be well enough to go to a park?

[Jillybean]

I'm so sorry that you were sick! How miserable! Victoria is such a trooper though!

I loved all of the fun that you two had the MNSSHP! Victoria was beautiful as Alice and her drawings are just blowing me away! What talent! My mom can draw like that and I, like you, am more of a stick people person!

I really, really hope that you are feeling better soon!

Jill

[MinnieJen]

I love your trip report. Lots of details and pictures. It makes my first attempt at one recently look pathetic. Your Victoria is a such a sweet and kind soul. I hope my boys are as kind and well mannered when they are teenagers. You must be one amazing Momma!!!!! The Pooh show you watched was "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" and he and Tigger and Darby are Super Sleuths. My boys love it and I even can say I know the episode you watched just from your picture.

I am so sorry you were so miserable and sick. I hope you got to enjoy some more time in the parks.

[B.M.]

Sounds like Victoria was of great help that day! Hope a day in bed on meds got you to feeling better!

[dsnytina]

Oh, you poor thing!
Can't wait to read that you were able to get up and at 'em the next day. (You were able to, right?)

[Meggera]

Originally Posted by Jillybean

I'm so sorry that you were sick! How miserable! Victoria is such a trooper though!

I loved all of the fun that you two had the MNSSHP! Victoria was beautiful as Alice and her drawings are just blowing me away! What talent! My mom can draw like that and I, like you, am more of a stick people person!

Victoria is definitely a trooper! I couldn't ask for a better daughter. I thought she made a beautiful Alice, too. Thank you! Her drawings blow me away, too!

[Meggera]

Originally Posted by MinnieJen

I love your trip report. Lots of details and pictures. It makes my first attempt at one recently look pathetic. Your Victoria is a such a sweet and kind soul. I hope my boys are as kind and well mannered when they are teenagers. You must be one amazing Momma!!!!! The Pooh show you watched was "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" and he and Tigger and Darby are Super Sleuths. My boys love it and I even can say I know the episode you watched just from your picture.

I am so sorry you were so miserable and sick. I hope you got to enjoy some more time in the parks.

I am sure your first TR is not pathetic. I just take a heap of pictures.

You are right about Victoria. She is precious and not your typical teenager. She doesn't roll her eyes, she doesn't get angry, and we never have unkind words. She is such a blessing to us. We don't deserve her.

That is so funny that you know the show she was watching! I've never seen it. We don't have TV at home, just dvds, so I had no clue what that was. I'm glad to know now.

[a_bernard]

First, I want to say, i am sorry that you were so sick during your holidays, but Victoria is so wonderful, so caring, you are blessed to have a daughter like that, but i am sure that you are just as much a wonderful mother. She is also amazingly talented. Even drawing real people, she has so much talent. Again i love all your pictures and all your attention to details. I am loving your TR and I am honored that i have met the both of you.

[dsteiny23]

Okay, the moving/unpacking isn't working for me...and on top of that you've got mad amounts of updates!! I just read 10 pages of updates and...Wow...here goes.

Love the interaction of the characters at 1900 PF...very cool!! My boys were in here when I was reading that and LOVED the pictures!! One of my favorite things from our last trip was seeing the fireworks from the Poly at night when we would get back from a park. Love Sha at the t-shirt store...very cool CM!! And the CM that prayed with you...wow, how sweet! Love Victoria's costume and her AMAZING drawings!! We waited on the Minnie Mouse line last MNSSHP and it was the longest line we waited on 45 mins!! Not doing that again. The rest of your wait times so far on this TR were great!! I also just noticed the "Ramp this-a-way...ramp that-a-way" sign on the trip Craig and I took a couple of weeks ago...hysterical! Love that Mickey saluted Michael the Bear. My favorite part of your Pinocchio video is your laughter...completely infectious!! And speaking of infectious...so sorry you got so sick on vacation. But, what a trooper and great daughter Victoria was taking care of her Mom. Hope the next update is better!!

Oh...and let's see, teared up at least 4 times catching up. Seems to be a pattern for me while reading your TR.

[Meggera]

September 19, 2009 - Day 6, Part 1
I woke up this morning very stuffy with a massive, congested cough yet determined to go to a park today. We hadn't set a wake-up call, and I have no idea what time we got up. As I said before, I didn't take any more notes for the rest of the trip. That flew out the window when I started feeling so poorly.

I called Jennifer and told her to come on if she wanted to come. She did! She said she had gotten up and gotten ready just in case. She would meet us at DHS when she got here.

Meanwhile, Victoria and I got up, showered, got dressed and were off to a park. Originally, this was supposed to be a "crazy" day where we were going to do all four parks in one day and ride at least four major rides in each park. I was weak. I was tired. Nyquil was still coursing through my veins. There was no way I was going to be able to do a crazy day. So, we decided to take our time and do whatever popped up. We knew, though, that we wanted to hit TSMM again, so we decided DHS would be our first park and that we'd eat breakfast there.

We took a bus to the park, and I took a picture of the hat once we were inside the park.


Victoria went to TSMM to get FPs for us but said the line was way too long to wait so we went to Starring Rolls for breakfast. Victoria had a chocolate croissant with orange juice, and I had a cinnamon roll with water. I like the cinnamon rolls at MSB much better.


It was another hot day. One thing about Nyquil is I can be led anywhere. I didn't want to think; I didn't want to make any decisions. Whatever Victoria wanted to do, I did. I was really so nonchalant during the rest of the trip. It is so opposite my usual commando-style.

We went to VOTLM where it would be nice and cool. There were some great "artifacts" that I hadn't noticed before, and we thought they were so funny. This is an Antique Mariner's Porta Potty.


And this is my favorite - Antique Nautical Paint By Number! Hysterical!


The show was just as good as last time, and we made our way to the Animation Studio. We were hoping to see a gaggle of characters again and draw one ourselves. Apparently, the gaggle of characters come out around 4 p.m. That's nice to know! We got in line for the animation class. I am so glad we did this. It was a first for both of us. It was hard for me to concentrate with a medicine head. Victoria's drawing is, of course, fabulous. My Goofy is very round on his lower half. I don't know how Victoria does it.


My Goofy...


Victoria's Goofy...


We really loved the class. The artist was fantastic and took her time with us. She was very good.

We left there and headed towards Pixar Place.


The line for TSMM was still too long, so we decided to ride the GMR. While we were on the ride, Jennifer called and said she was there. She said she'd meet us at the GMR. We got the cowboy version this time. I'm glad we got to see both versions on this trip.


We walked out of the ride and who should we see waiting for us? Jennifer!!! I'm pathetic and didn't get a picture. In fact, you won't see a picture for a while. I was not in my right mind.

Our FPs were good for TSMM, and Jennifer had never ridden it, so I gave her my FP so she and Victoria could ride. I never got to ride it again on this trip. Oh well. I knew I'd be coming back. While they were on the ride, I took pictures of the area, and I got to watch Luxo do his little show. He was cute. (At least I know about what time they went in to TSMM due to the FP return. )


The theming in Pixar Place is just wonderful. Victoria and I felt sorry for the little monkey. It looks like Sid got a hold of him.


After they rode TSMM, it was time to head over to Epcot. Tutto Italia was calling our name. Once again, not being in my right mind, I didn't take a picture, but we rode, for the first time, the boat over to Epcot. I was expecting it to be breezy or have some A/C or something, but it was mighty hot on that boat. The ride was pleasant though and took us where we needed to be to get to Italy a little easier.

We got off the boat, through the turnstiles, and into the World Showcase tootsweet. I don't remember what time the ADR was because I made it just the day before. I think it was for 12:50 p.m., or something like that. It was nice to get in the A/C and the maitre'd was wonderful.


Victoria liked this huge painting. I was just happy to be sitting.


We were seated very quickly and looked over the menu. We really enjoyed the breadsticks and olive oil. Michael enjoyed a breadstick, too.


As for our meal, Victoria ordered Scaloopine di Vitello alla Caprese (veal medallions, mozzarella, tomato).


Jennifer got Farfalle (bowtie pasta, Italian prosciutto ham, peas, parmesian cream).


I got the Trofie (Ligurian pasta with pine-nut basil pesto and fagiolini green beans).


We all enjoyed our meals very much. For dessert, Victoria got the Tiramisu.


Jennifer and I got Gianduja - Chocolate Torta - chocolate and hazelnut torte with whipped cream and raspberry sauce.


We enjoyed our desserts, too. It was a fantastic meal in a lovely restaurant with great company. I hope Michael can eat here with us one day.

Architecture in Italy...


We decided to tour the WS and went to Japan where we met up with a PP photographer. I made sure to get our pictures with one whenever I saw one. He used my camera as well. He was a very young man who was a bit flirty. You'd have thought he'd flirt with Victoria. No. He was flirty with me. It was a bit awkward. Anyway, he took this picture...Introducing my cousin, Jennifer! I was 12 when Jennifer was born, and Jennifer was 12 when Victoria was born. Isn't that neat?


And then he only wanted me in a picture. Okay....and told me to pose like I'm sexy with my shades pulled down. Ok. 1) I don't consider myself very sexy. 2) I am at Disney World, right? 3) I was sick as a dog! 4) I made sure Michael was in the picture with me. As for the picture, I don't look sexy; I look silly. Oh well. I'm sure Michael will get a big kick out of it.


Japan...


We went inside every chance we got, which wasn't enough in the WS. We decided to ride a ride and walked towards Norway. My gosh, I was so hot. With the massive amount of congestion in my chest, I was finding it difficult to take deep breaths. I told Victoria and Jennifer that this must be the way it feels to have asthma. I have never experienced anything like it in my life. It surely made my walking slow down considerably.

We rode Maelstrom. Jennifer had never ridden it before. It sure did feel good inside. I love the little village you end up in at the end of the ride.


We stayed for the movie, too. I always feel bad skipping the movie. We normally stay to watch (much to Victoria's chagrin).

Mexico was next. Why? Because there was a ride indoors.


If I'm not mistaken, Jennifer hadn't ridden the Gran Fiesta Tour either. What's up with that? She lives less than two hours from WDW and never goes. I know! Sacrilege!!

I hadn't ridden this ride with the changes. Victoria and I loved them!


We left Mexico and went out into the blazing sun. Phew! We rode SE, and I loved the ending. How fun! Victoria liked the ride better because of the end. She said she didn't know why they were taking her picture so she smiled a gigantic smile, and her picture looked so funny!


Jennifer sat behind us, so I didn't get her picture. She had a nice, normal smile though.

I found out Jennifer had never ridden Soarin'. So, Victoria ran on ahead of us to get us FPs, and Jennifer and I headed to the Imagination pavilion. Victoria caught up with us, and we rode Imagination. Victoria had fun with Michael while we were in line.


After our journey through the imagination, we went to the Seas with Nemo and Friends. We haven't been here since the new ride. So many firsts for us!


We hopped aboard our clammobiles and enjoyed our ride. It was very cute.


I was shocked to learn that Jennifer had never ridden Test Track. This was getting to be too much! We went straight there! She was a little apprehensive. I told her it was like riding in a car.


Hidden Mickeys...


Jennifer really enjoyed TT. (Thank goodness! I would have felt so bad if she hadn't.) We weren't sure how she would handle Mission: Space, so we didn't go on it.

Next up was Universe of Energy. Guess why? You guessed it. Jennifer has never ridden it either. I see that I need to come to WDW more often to show Jennifer around!


After UoE, our FPs were ready for Soarin'! I love this ride!! I knew Jennifer would like it, too.


We were in the middle of the top row. It doesn't get any better than that. We all enjoyed our flight over CA, and Jennifer said she couldn't wait to call her mom and tell her she had ridden the best ride at WDW.

Soarin' was our last ride at Epcot. It was time to hop over to the MK. But before we left, I had to get one last picture...


We hopped aboard the monorail and made our way to the MK!

UP NEXT: MK with Jennifer!

[Meggera]

Originally Posted by a_bernard

First, I want to say, i am sorry that you were so sick during your holidays, but Victoria is so wonderful, so caring, you are blessed to have a daughter like that, but i am sure that you are just as much a wonderful mother. She is also amazingly talented. Even drawing real people, she has so much talent. Again i love all your pictures and all your attention to details. I am loving your TR and I am honored that i have met the both of you.

Thank you, Anne! It was so wonderful meeting you and Amanda. You made our evening at MNSSHP even more enjoyable.

I think once Victoria practices drawing real people more, she'll get more confidant. I'm impressed no matter what.

[B.M.]

Glad you were feeling well enough to go to the parks, even if it was a struggle! Wow, sounds like Jennifer got to ride a lot of stuff for the first time....