"This is Not the Trip You're Looking For" TR May/June 2011 - COMPLETE - Page 15 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Aww.... I hate that everything seemingly fell apart; I know once that happens it is hard to get motivated again.... I've had my own meltdowns at WDW when things didn't go as planned; so I can sympathize... We once got to MK an hour before opening and were among the first in the park only to have to make multiple stops and the kids decide against SM only after we neared the front of the line... We had arrived at 7am for an 8am opening; it was now after 8:30am and we had beat out the crowds for Astro Orbitor. I had a little melt down myself before I was finally able to re-focus and enjoy the rest of the day....
It sounds like the day is picking up and I'm glad Kevin was not as sick as he was from TOT... I hope the day continued to improve...
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You are bringing me on an emotional roller coaster! I am looking forward to learning what brought balance to the force...
I had a sinus infection during my last trip to WDW. I sought out meds at urgent care on day 3. It was soon er than I would have at home, but it would have ruined the whole vacation if I let it go on any longer...Hoping Kevin did the same....
I just read your TR its unfortunate that it hasn't been all happy, after all it is suppose to be the happiest place on earth. But I think everyone has a story or two. Especially those well traveled in Disney.
I can't wait to hear more (hopefully better).
I feel so bad for all of you after reading this! Since you are telling your story, that makes me hope it gets better. Anxiously awaiting the next installment.
I'm so sorry that your carefully planned out morning did not go at all as planned , I'm hoping with all my heart that your day gets better. On the bright side, I'm so impressed that your girls will do the single rider line and especially that they stayed all by themselves on TSMM and Cory alone on RnRC!! Neither one of my DD's would have done that when they were so young. You should be proud of their maturity!
Okay - I couldn't leave you all with such a gloomy post. Here's more!
My plan was to be in our parade spot an hour before the start time of 12:45pm. The prime location would have been down by the Sorcerer’s Hat, but I felt it’d be best to keep Kevin in the shade and we opted for the left-hand side of Hollywood Blvd.
By the time we got there, the shaded side of the street was already packed with guests. I contemplated walking down to the hat, but if it didn’t work out, we might miss a seat here. People were already beginning to choose a seat on the other side – the side of the street facing full into the sun. So we looked it over and chose a seat on the curb with a nice tree so Kevin had something to lean back against.
It was HOT. I mean, not just normal hot, but sun-full-in-your-face-roasting-you-alive hot!! And I love hot weather, but even I was uncomfortable. I kept asking Kevin if he’d be okay and he kept saying yes. We slathered more sunscreen all over but my legs still felt like I was under a broiler.
The crowds began to fill in around us. I had a lovely Hispanic family on my right; another family with a little girl sat next to Corinne. Suddenly, I noticed Kevin and the girls standing up; they took off and said they’d be back, leaving their drink cups as placeholders on the curb. I had no idea what they were up to.
I people watched and guarded our seats from being taken or run over by strollers going up and down the curb; I fielded questions about the parade from guests from the U.K. and observed a woman faint in the middle of the street from heat stroke – watched how quickly the CMs responded and how efficiently the ‘mess’ was cleared from the pavement. That was scary.
Suddenly I spied Kevin and the girls returning with what looked like two black light sabers. In reality, Kevin had purchased two umbrellas (“We can sit under these while we wait – plus we’ll have them in case it rains.”) I laughed but admonished him that he’d better put them away as soon as the parade started as it would be very rude to the people standing behind us.
Kelley was all smiles as her dad had gotten her a pair of Minnie sunglasses in her favorite color – red!
Cory held one umbrella and the little girl next to her snuggled up as close as she could get to take advantage of the shade. Kevin held the other for himself (Kelley was between the two of them) and I took turns sitting in the sun and popping under the umbrella to cool off a bit.
Just before the parade began, I noticed the small space between me and the family next to me had been filled by a young boy. His parents must have seen the opening and squeezed him in for a better view. He looked to be about 5 or 6 years old, and was patiently waiting for the parade to begin.
“Do you like Star Wars?” I asked him.
“Yep,” he replied.
“I do, too.” I told him.
That was all it took. All of a sudden, this little boy was my best friend. He knew everything about the Star Wars universe; all the character, all the movies and animated series, etc. We talked together throughout the entire parade and it’s so funny, you can hear him in our video keeping up a running commentary about what was going on!
I was so happy to have him sitting next to me. It made me realize how much I really loved these movies and characters, and made me wish I had a little boy of my own who loved them as much as I did. But we weren’t just a 49 year old mom and a little 6 year old kid that day; we were just two fans sharing our love of Star Wars. I didn’t realize it at the moment, but that little boy brought home what the day was really about. He’s my favorite memory of SWW.
I didn’t think to take a photo of him, but here’s a bit of his face from the video. Can you tell how serious he is about all this?
501st Legion - Vader's First. This is a costuming group that is asked to participate in the parade each year.
The Padawan Learners who got chosen to participate that day.
These are out of order, I know, but here they are anyway...
Anakin...
Chewbacca! See Kevin's outstretched hand? It was Cory who got the handshake.
Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka in The Clone Wars
Ahsoka herself...
Darth Maul...who didn't do anything.
Aurra Sing
Darth Vader
To say we were overheated after the parade is an understatement. I was really worried about Kevin, especially after seeing that lady pass out earlier. We headed straight into the nearest gift shop and stood Kevin under an air conditioning vent so he could cool down. The girls and I shopped while I kept a close eye on my husband. He used the time to call his oldest daughter.
I knew Kevin was close to exhaustion. Even though I’m a stay-at-the-park kinda girl, maybe taking a break, going back to the resort for an afternoon dip in the pool would help? He and the girls agreed.
I realized I hadn’t had anything to eat since six o’clock that morning and was beginning to feel a little shaky from it. I needed to eat – now. Here’s where I made a big touring mistake. For the first time (and last time!) I broke Tour Guide Mike’s rule about making sure to eat lunch at 11:00am – and no later than 11:30.
We thought maybe Backlot Express would have some seats in the air conditioning – but we ended up standing in line to get our food for about 20 minutes, and then another 10 minutes circling the seating area trying to find a place to sit! By the time we snagged a table, our dinner ADRs were only 3 hours away. We all took about 3 bites of our sandwiches (delicious!) and ate our cheesecakes (also delicious!) and high-tailed it to the buses for an afternoon break.
Kevin was a real trooper to not just give up on the day. I'm sure the heat didn't help him at all. The parade looks wonderful and it's so great that you had a fellow enthusiast to share it with. That little boy is adorable! When I read in today's first update that you didn't have anything to eat, I thought.... UH, OH! Seems like you salvaged little pieces of the day-- it wouldn't have been so bad if you didn't have the constant worry about Kevin.
I'm so glad you got to enjoy the parade after a rough morning. We did SWW in '09, but only got to enjoy parts of it. My husband doesn't "get" Star Wars, and even though I had prepped him about SWW, he was miserable and bored, so I had to miss all the meet and greets and just try to enjoy the rest of DHS without getting too mad. I think one year, I may have to do a "just me and the kids" SWW day so we can enjoy it. He can go mini golfing or something...
It sounds like Kevin may be getting better as your story goes along, I hope so.
(Our meltdown day was at Animal Kingdom, when it was Africa hot and my plans weren't being appreciated by hubby. It's hard to stick to the touring plan when your brain is melting!)
BTW, I'm going to use your last Jedi quote like a mantra on our next trip! "Every Jedi, in every task, should prepare for the possibility of failure"
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Oh Cathy - my heart was breaking as I read your last two posts. I so know that terrible feeling of wanting something so bad, yet being pulled by everything else even if they did not ask you too. I would not have been able to enjoy the characters either worrying about the girls and Kevin, yet my heart would have been breaking...and the tears would have been rolling as well (they have as you know many times). Sometimes it just all becomes to much...
I have to say I give it to Kevin who was such a trooper...I am sure he felt terrible (and the hints all do fit now...sinus infections are just terrible, every little movement feels like you head is going to explode) I can't imagine what he must have been going through yet he muddled through...
But what I found most amazing (and of course in retrospect you would have never saw this then...when you were going through this day) but throughout it all...when Kevin reminded you of the parade, him buying the umbrellas, you meeting your little friend...even with all the bad of the day you found the shining moments, for a moment as I read the end of your post I could see you smiling as you wrote it.
Hope the break at the resort leads to a better evening....I am keeping those fingers crossed.
Wow! That was a rough start to the day, but I'm glad your kiddos got to enjoy some rides and you got to see the parade. I'm so sorry that things didn't go as planned, but I hope that Kevin gets some relief soon and that the rest of the vacation was magical!
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This must be tough writing this and reliving it - kudos to you for doing that. 
. I had a little melt down myself before I was finally able to re-focus and enjoy the rest of the day....
, I'm hoping with all my heart that your day gets better. On the bright side, I'm so impressed that your girls will do the single rider line and especially that they stayed all by themselves on TSMM and Cory alone on RnRC!! Neither one of my DD's would have done that when they were so young. You should be proud of their maturity!
That was scary.
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