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

[shena_03]

All caught up again. Gald Kevin enjoyed the Segway Tour, we may have to try that soon!!

[chezp]

Originally Posted by CAT4WDW

Just caught up on your TR. Sorry to hear about the bad weather on your way to WDW. Nice how a negative thing (running behind & got discount at hotel) turns out to be a positvie you don't expect. I remember how it downpoured on New Year's Eve when we were with Chezp and her husband, Mark at the Rose & Crown Pub to celerate the upcoming new year. The rain just didn't let up. Of course those drinks (I can't remember the name of them, but bet Chezp does) we were having helped make the night alittle more fun, as we were all waiting for our dinner reservations, ours at RC and theirs at Le Cellier. The night ended up great because Cheryl and Mark asked us to join them for dinner and we had a delightful time. After dinner, my husband wanted to go back to resort, he was cold and tired. As we got back to Port Orleans and was crossing the bridge to go to our room, the rain stopped and the fireworks brought in the New Year. It was not as we had planned but beautiful and a memory I'll never forget!!. Sorry to hear Kevin is not feeling well. Sounds like maybe a sinus infection? Hope things get better.

I believe those drinks were Big Bens - and boy were they good!

[benjiboo25]

Just reading through the first page (I have been too busy in life lately to allow myself to be distracted by my WDW obsession...) I will eventually get through every word...

I noticed your new countdown before I started reading through the TR so I figure that is a story that goes along with your experience.

You are right about so many overly magical TRs here. I was amazed by the feedback I got about the "honesty" of my first TR...I thought we could not possibly be the only family to ever have a trip with more stress than magic...but then I figured that most people with trips like our first were not planning a return to WDW and would not be obsessively following WDW message boards...so we probably have a biased bunch Can't wait to keep reading...

[ilovedisney247]

Sounds like everyone had a good morning at Epcot--hope Kevin is back to his usual self later!

[Nimros]

I was so, so excited to be heading to AKL to be seeing friends I had never met before.

Now I’ve been lucky enough to meet with some other PassPorter friends in the past – but never actually AT WDW. Those of you who have made good friends through these boards know what I’m talking about; there is something very special about the friendships you make with others who love Disney as much as you do.

Plus, this Meet was going to be very bittersweet as we were all gathered to honor the memory of two fellow PPers who were no longer with us – but who had loved Disney as much as we did. I had never met Lorie or Glenn in person – only talked to them a few times on the boards – but for some reason their passing touched me very deeply – and I was happy to be able to be a part of this Memorial.

Kevin was a bit hesitant going in : “Is there going to be a lot of crying?” I told him we weren’t going to mourn their passing but to celebrate their life.

We arrived at AKL and went straight to Zawadi Marketplace for some breath mints! (Spicy food at Tangierine Cafe = bad breath.) I called Scott (scottjs) and he told me to take the elevator and he would meet me as we got off and escort us to Judi’s room.

It was so great to finally meet him in person and give him a huge hug! Unfortunately, Mary couldn’t be there that day as she was working but we hope to meet her on a future trip. Scott walked us down to the room – where I finally got to meet Judi, my amazing TA and good friend, and her family! Also present was Stephanie (Stefffe) and her family, Amy (iamgrumpy) and her mom Angela. We were joined later by Janice (janicelovesmickey). Unfortunately, Lorraine (Lorraine515) couldn’t be there, but her DD Gina came with Janice.

















We had a great time talking with everyone. Judi did a superb job speaking about Lorie and Glenn; she made us laugh and smile and also brought a few tears to our eyes as we raised a glass to their memory.

Kelley and Cory had fun talking with Luke and Brooke (I have a feeling Luke was doing his best to ‘impress’ the girls) and Brooke was the perfect hostess, offering all of us some Zebra Domes (Lorie’s favorite dessert.)





My only regret is that we didn’t take enough photos...

I knew the girls were chomping at the bit to get back to the park, however, and we would still be meeting up for Illuminations tonight. So we said our goodbyes and caught the next bus back to Epcot.

I hoped the break from the sun and heat would have made a difference in Kevin’s mood. It didn’t. In fact, I think he was grouchier than ever. (He didn’t tell me until later, but the bus ride there and back really made him dizzy and sick – another clue about what was going on that we missed...)

Needless to say, I was getting really frustrated with his negativity. (Okay, I’ll be honest – this is about the time I was thinking, “Why the $*%# did he even come on this trip if all he’s going to do is complain?!”) We still had some time before our ADRs at Chefs de France, so I suggested we go on Spaceship Earth, which is one of his favorite attractions.

I think the girls enjoyed it much more this year, as we had just finished studying ancient history for school and they could say, “Hey – I know about this!” Unfortunately, our camera flash did not go off while our photos were being made in the beginning of the ride, so we didn’t get to enjoy our ‘future selves’ having fun.

We meandered back over to World Showcase; the girls did some pin trading along the way and we stopped for photos.





And who should we spy as we crossed the bridge into France? MARIE!!! She was top of the list of characters we wanted to meet this time. I wish Kevin had taken more photos, because Kelley and Cory had quite an exchange with her; inquiring about her brothers and asking if she would mind if they pet her.








It was about 15 minutes early, but we decided to check in at Chefs de France anyway. The CM who greeted us looked a bit peeved that we were early, but directed us to sit on a bench and she would call us as soon as a table was ready.

(Has anyone else noticed the difference between the French CMs and the rest of the CMs at World Showcase? I love the difference! They are definitely in a class by themselves; always tall, thin, good-looking and a bit arrogant!)

We were seated about the time our ADR was made and introduced to our server, Marine. Again, she was tall and elegant and very much resembled Kate Middleton! I actually wanted to mention that to her, but Kevin reminded me that, being French, it might be considered an insult.

This evening was to be one of Kelley’s birthday celebrations – especially because she dreams of being a chef someday and creating some amazing cuisine.

We started with bread – chewy on the outside, soft and creamy inside....








Kevin, Corinne and I all ordered “Filet de boeuf grille, sauce au poivre noir Gratin Dauphinois et haricots verts” (beef tenderloin with potato gratin and green beans) and Kelley decided to try “Demi poulet fermier roti, pommes rissolees et tomate grille” (half chicken with roasted potatoes.)

Our table was so small that when the food came, we barely had enough room for all the plates and I couldn’t get the camera out around it all. But then we noticed a CM rolling a cart to each table with a large covered platter – Remy was here! We weren’t expecting this at all as he was supposed to only be here at lunch. But we were happy to see him. I was struggling to get my camera out when he came over so I only caught a moment or two of him before they were on to the next table. He did not stay long anywhere and they’d acted as if they were in a hurry.





Dessert for Kevin and I was the Profiteroles au chocolat, Corinne had the fruit sorbets and Kelley finally got to try Crème Brulee!








This was about the time I realized that although we had a birthday celebration attached to the ADR, nothing had been said or done. It was too late at this point to say anything, so we just chalked it up as a mistake. At least we got to see Remy!

Our thoughts on the meal? Well, the atmosphere was not as we hoped. The restaurant itself is beautiful, but it is very crowded and the tables are small and placed very close to one another. The food was delicious, however. I think if we eat at France again, we will make a later reservation so the crowds thin out or we will try Bistro de Paris upstairs.

After dinner we strolled through World Showcase. Corinne wanted to make sure we didn’t miss Maelstrom and explore Norway. The troll photo is a must-do.








We also explored the Stave Church. Since doing some research on our Irish ancestry, we’ve learned that we most likely have some Viking blood. Corinne is greeting a old relative, perhaps.








The sky was amazing this evening and we had to stop for photos. Cory and I both took these. I finally got my photo of the Tower of Terror in the background of Morocco, too.











Kevin was really beginning to wear down and I knew he’d never last through Illuminations. We talked about it and he reminded me that tomorrow was my big Star Wars day at the Studios and that we all needed to be up early. I had to agree with him; we’d need to skip Illuminations tonight and catch it again on our Anniversary later this week.

But we weren’t going back to the resort with him – not yet. The girls and I had our FPs from earlier in the day we wanted to use. So just like last trip, we kissed him goodbye and send him to the buses while we made a beeline for TT and M:S.

The girls and I really needed this time to de-stress from all Kevin’s grouchiness we had experienced all day. It was good to get away and get out some of our frustrations.

We did TT first so we could all ride together. And we spotted this in the queue..








It was getting dark – so I finally got to take some photos of M:S all lit up. I probably could have taken more, but the girls wanted to hurry.











By the time we exited M:S and were ready to use our FPs for Soarin’, we heard the start of Illuminations.

I told them that was it; we had to head for the buses to beat the Illuminations crowds. Corinne was pretty disappointed because “we worked so hard to get those FPs this morning…” I agreed it was difficult to pass up that second ride.

We had a quick bus ride back to POR and hurried our way to the room. Kevin was already in bed, half-asleep watching TV and waiting for us to get back. I hurried everyone into bed. Tomorrow was the day I had been waiting for; the only reason we had come on vacation in May instead of September. It was MY day for Star Wars Weekend, and I wanted everything to go perfectly as planned….

(UP NEXT : The Day I Don’t Want to Talk About…)

[shydonna1]

Sorry this trip was bittersweet and not at all what you had planned. The memories you caught "on film" do show the wonderful things that you were able to be a part of and hopefully writing this TR will help you get it all out.
Love reading about your adventures this trip and the girls seem to be having a good time...

[OCEANGRLLG]

So great that you got to meet some PP's, so nice that yall spent time together in the memory of Lorie and Glenn! Glad that you and the girls got to spend sometime to yourselves. By the next title things are not lookin up, but I really do hope the day was great for you!

[goofysdtr]

Oh no! The day you were most looking forward to is the day you don't want to talk about. I'm so sorry, Cathy! I'll admit I still want to hear about it, though.

& that the telling of it's cathartic for you!

[mcc0313]

Oh Cathy - I can hear your frustration in your TR, I know how hard you palnned for this trip, and I cannot even imagine how you were feeling at this point, I know how hard it is to enjoy yourself when someone is not enjoying themselves and letting the rest of the group know. Glad tha that you were able to meet up with Judi and the group and raise a toast for Lorie and Glenn, sorry that you missed Illuminations but sounds like you and the girls had a great disstressing hour before heading back to POR.

I did not like your forshadowing....you always see the good in everything so for you to say that you want to forget the day totally I can only imagine how the day went.

[goofyboysmama]

uh oh!


(BTW - the BREAD looked sooooo good...)

[mommapants]

So the day you were most looking forward to was the day from H***, isn't that just a kick in the pants. If you had known Kevin was sick it puts things is an entirely different perspective but when you think they are just grouchy then you get PO'd.

I hope there was some joy during the day

[jennie622]

Beautiful pictures of Mission Space.

I adore Remy, will have to get to Chefs someday.

Stinks that Kevin is not feeling well, I'm dreading your next update.

[lauriep]

Bistro has a much nicer, quieter atmosphere than Chef's. I haven't eaten there in years, but have had some good meals there. Glad you got to meet the PP group to celebrate Lorie and Glenn, but sorry you had to skip Illuminations. The anticipation of doom increases....

[MayraLR]

What a great evening at Epcot! Hope your next day wasn't as bad as it sounds.

[iamgrumpy]

ALL caught up and I'm sorry that you had such a rough start. It was so nice to finally meet you and your family. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.