Payback’s a …. Trip to Disney World! (Jun 6 - 16) Updated 8/7 - Page 21 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Did you think I dropped the report already? Although I was cracking myself up last night, thinking I deserved some sort of award if I managed to quit a WDW trip report before I actually arrived at WDW. (Maybe Eileen can make a special graphic for me? )
Anywho, I had a death in the family (no one close, just more of a family obligation) so had to attend a funeral near LA on Tuesday morning. Although when I told my co-workers that I was going to a funeral in LA at 10AM Tuesday, July 7, I think about 50% of them were convinced that I was headed to the Michael Jackson Memorial Service/Concert/Spectacle. On a happier note, we have very recently been approved by a rescue group to adopt one of the beagle puppies they rescued, so we've been getting our house ready for our new family member. He should arrive on Saturday!
The good news for my loyal fans (both of you) and you casual readers is that I had lots of time to write the report on the drive to LA. So the report should be coming a bit more quickly for at least a little while! The next update's coming right up!
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Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
Before take-off on the last leg of our journey, I got myself all comfy and situated for sleep. I’d changed into some sweats at the Santa Barbara airport, taken my favorite little blue pill (no, not THAT one, the Tylenol PM version) during the flight to LA, and I had my little travel pillow and blanket ready to go. I kicked off my shoes, put on my Bose headphones, and settled back in the seat for my just over five hour flight. But, just as we were getting ready to take-off, the pilot came on and announced that we’d be arriving in Orlando thirty minutes early. Now an early arrival at Disneyworld usually sounds terrific. But, when you’ll be pulling up to the gate at 5:45 in the morning, I’ll take the extra thirty minutes of sleep!
So, now I’m trying to fall asleep with pressure, as my available sleep window was closing fast! My eyes are closed, and I’m screaming inside, “Go to sleep now! No? OK, go to sleep now! Ok, now!” It was not working. And, then I’d finally start to feel myself fall asleep and my internal voice would say, “Thank goodness! I’m finally falling asleep!” And…. It would make me so excited, that I’d wake back up again. Zack had decided that he was going to stay up for a little while playing with his laptop. But, after about an hour, I heard him turn everything off and settle in for sleep.
I was finally sleeping too, when Zack woke me up desperately begging for a sleeping pill because he couldn’t get to sleep. It was about midnight West Coast time, 3 AM Orlando time, or about two hours before Zack’s typical teenage summer bedtime. No way was I going to give Zack a sleeping pill within three hours of landing. My days of carrying him through the airport are over, and I’d left my wheelbarrow at home. Instead, I tried to get him as comfy as possible with my travel pillow, and had him put his feet up on my lap. He actually drifted off fairly quickly, and I soon followed.
Sleep had finally found me, until the no-good-dirty-rotten-redeye-travelers in the seat in front of me decided to ruin the flight for everybody! I guess sleep had eluded them, so they clicked on their overhead lights. A bother, but I could deal with it. I tucked my head into my blanket and drifted off again, when I heard the no-good-dirty-rotten-redeye-travelers requesting a snack pack from one of the flight attendants. It was 1:30 in the morning! (4:30 AM, Orlando time.) Who eats a cheese and sausage snack pack at 4:30 in the morning? No-good-dirty-rotten-redeye-travelers, that’s who.
My eyes were being assaulted with their reading light, my nose was being assaulted with the smell of sausages, but then, they had to go and assault my ears by crinkling every single piece of plastic wrapping in the snack box. Enough no-good-dirty-rotten-redeye-travelers! I indignantly ripped back my blanket and sat a little bit forward and gave the stink-eye, sure that they would sense my frustrated presence. But, they went right on crinkling and munching. I sat a bit more forward, but still no response. This process went on until I was literally sticking my head between their two seats, twisting my head back and forth so they would get the full effect of the stink-eye… from both eyes! Nothing. I seriously need to work on my stink-eye.
I slumped back in my seat, and the no-good-dirty-rotten-redeye-travelers slowly finished up their snacks and settled in for a little nap. But they left their stinkin’ reading lights on! Curse you, no-good-dirty-rotten-redeye-travelers! I dosed off and on for the next hour or so, but the plane started to stir around 5:15 AM Orlando time. And, I spent the final thirty minutes of the flight watching a pretty lightening storm off in the distance.
I let Zack sleep through landing (once that kid is out, he’s out!) and after everyone else was off the plane I got him up and out. I stopped off at the restroom to change into my theme park gear, giving everyone on our plane the chance to get through DME ahead of us. It worked like a charm, as there was absolutely no one at the DME desk when we went to check-in. But, we didn’t even need to check-in. I guess they have a new procedure now where, if you have your documents with you, you just take them directly to the boarding lines and they check you in there.
We were immediately escorted to a waiting bus, and in a few more minutes when two other guests joined us, we were off. It was a bit of a drizzly day, but driving at 6:15 AM on a Saturday means no traffic, so we were to the gates of the World in just about 25 minutes.
The driver gave me a bit of a (joking) hard time about my picture because after he asked me if I got it, he queried, “All of it? Even Donald?” claiming that no one ever gets a picture of Donald. And, I have to admit, I didn’t even know he was at the gates. Poor Donald! Our good luck continued, as the Wilderness Lodge was the first stop and we were walking up to the bell services desk to check-in right around 6:50 in the morning.
The CM who waited on us seemed a bit surprised to see us, but he let me know that our room was ready! Clearly, the Wilderness Lodge had not been filled to capacity the night before. He took us up the elevator with our magical golden keys, and when we arrived at the concierge floor a few seconds later, we found it to be completely deserted. One club level CM was just coming around the corner towards her desk, and I think we gave her a bit of a scare standing there with our pile of carry-on luggage, airplane-seat-head, and morning breath. She let us know that her computer wasn’t even turned on yet (how you know your flight landed way too early,) but that we should just head into the kitchen to grab some breakfast and she’d get our packet together for us.
I just need to frame this a little bit better because I’d put my bags down and was a bit discombobulated, but the CM literally said, “Why don’t you head in here to grab a bite to eat,” with her hand pointing towards the food area, apparently oblivious to the surprise waiting for me around the corner EXACTLY where she was pointing. Zack popped in first and came immediately back out with a stunned look on his face. He said, “Ummm, Mom, I think there’s someone in here that you’re going to want to see.” My curiosity was up. Who could it be? A celebrity? Mickey Mouse? Publishers Clearing House?
Nope, it was even better! It was Princess Sharon! I wish I had a picture to show you, but I was so overwhelmed when I saw her I got all confused and weepy. But, just so Sha doesn’t get too big of a head; it might have had something to do with me being exhausted, as well. It turns out Sha had been planning it for months, and then she’d even had the nerve to moan about being the last to arrive on the boards in the days before she arrived. What a stinker! I heard about how she’d surprised the Koenigs the night before, and how she’d watched for us coming into the lobby from the seventh floor. I think I said, “I can’t believe you’re actually here” about seventeen times.
After we’d had a chance to eat a bit (and make the first withdrawal from the magic coffee machine, ) the CM called me back to the desk and quickly got my packet of information ready for me. I had a key with Eileen’s name on it, so I texted her that it was ALMOST like she had arrived with us. But, since Sha was actually there, I think Eileen didn’t necessarily agree. We were awarded room 7048, and since I’d been scoping out online maps and room view pictures for months, I had a pretty good idea of what was in store. Sha decided to head to our room with us since hers was just two doors down. Once we arrived, we found a few surprises.
I’d asked the concierge staff to purchase a few Star Wars Weekends souvenirs for Zack, and he must have liked the t-shirt because he immediately grabbed it to wear to the Studios for the day. I couldn’t even get a picture of it! However, as nice as these surprises were, the best surprise was waiting for us out the window.
I was so excited that we’d have this view out our window for the next week!
Zack had gotten a bit of a second wind, and I wanted to try to stay up until it was naptime, so he quickly hopped in the shower to get ready for the day. Of course, he managed to get his new t-shirt all wet, but prepared mama had Star Wars t-shirts to spare. We headed out the door and re-joined Sharon, right around 8 AM. Not bad for having arrived that morning, or just more proof that our flight had landed too freakin’ early!
Up Next… a day with freaks and geeks (and I’ll let you decide which one is the Star Wars fans and which one is Zack and Thom)
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Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
Sorry for the rough plane ride!! On a better note, glad the room was ready, and P-Sha was there to greet you!! More please!! (and I honestly didn't think this thing was ever going to get an update)!!
Very funny update, worth the wait (almost) ! Oh the crinkling sausage bag must have been most annoying ! It should be outlawed at that time of the morning. I'm impressed you got right on to touring after such a loooong flight.
Yeah, we've been returned to our previous programming! Glad you're back to the TR! about the crummy red-eye-travelers -- just rude, if you ask me. What a neat surprise from Princess Sharon, too.
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Ummm...so, I guess in the excitement of reading Jill's TR, being a part of a lovely Princess's surprise, and TR-writing myself, I have shamefully missed out on the hilarity that I'm sure is to ensue as soon as I dig into your TR, Karen. But, you know, since payback's such a ....feel free to bestow any of your patented traumatizations on me! (I'm just sayin', Eileen can't be having all the fun! ).
I can't wait to read what you have in store for, well, everyone, but I just had to get this out before I forgot! Oh - and it was so, so awesome to meet you and Zack (even if it was ever so briefly)!
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Ok. Now I'm ready to comment! So, that tiny plane you took to the tiny airport - did it look anything like this?
If so, I think we took the same one out of Shreveport to Orlando. Luckily, they dumped us in Dallas and we were able to upgrade to a bigger plane (like one that held 100 people, instead of 32).
I absolutely Eileen's "Love" updates...or were they "Hate" updates for awhile? I don't remember. I have been enjoying a nice beer while I've been reading, so as far as I know, everything was sunny!
BTW, major, major props to both of you for your incredible work on the surprises for Zack, Mary Devall, and Maddie. Eileen, your graphics have never been better, and Karen, your voice shines through on all the wording. Simply incredible!
I know all about the red-eye-pains-in-the-you-know-what...Why is it on my flight, which was during the day, I get the only person on the plane who has to put his seat into my lap? is what I wanted to do to him. Maybe I should try the 'ole stink-eye next time.
Your reaction to P-Sha's lovely surprise was priceless. I can only imagine the look on your face, but if it was anything like Jill's the night before, I'm sure it was picture-worthy! (BTW, Sharon, what were you doing up so early? Jeez, woman, you went to bed late! Don't you ever sleep in?! )
I can't wait to read more about the shenanigans that the Crazy Trio (soon to be Quartet) come up with!
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Your description of the red-eye flight was just so funny, although I can imagine how frustrating it must have been for you!!! I seem to have the same luck with passengers sitting in front of me, but when it's a red-eye, it just makes it that much more frustrating! How wonderful that P-Sha surprised you at the WL. I loved the dialogue that went on between Sharon and Eileen during all of this! Can't wait for more.
Karen I have to applaud you on your strength...I for one would have probably wanted to get up and nicely offer to shove little blue pills down the throats of the no-good-dirty-rotten-redeye-travelers. But hats off to you for keeping the calm and being a good impression for your son....the one who was sleeping peacefully thanks to his mom
Glad that you made it over to the WL is such good timing...and what a wonderful surprise when you got there. Your room was ready....no not that one but that was good too. There was food waiting for you....ok again a good one but nothing compared to having.....Princess Sharon in the flesh welcoming you in the lounge. Now that is the perfect way to start off a trip to Disney.
Can't wait to hear all about your first day at the parks and getting to see Jill and the gang. (Since poor Eileen was reduced to giving "love" updates from home until her departure )
I was up that early even without a wakeup call! And in trying not to make Karen suspicious, I didn't ask her about her arrival plans (since I wasn't supposed to be there, so why should I care?). I got ready and headed to the lounge to discover that Karen and Zack were just walking into the lobby. Perfect timing! I actually took a photo, but I forgot to upload it. I'll add it later. It was so much fun surprising Karen and Zack. Everything just worked out perfectly and it looked like I planned every detail when actually I was just lucky.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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And, then I’d finally start to feel myself fall asleep and my internal voice would say, “Thank goodness! I’m finally falling asleep!” And…. It would make me so excited, that I’d wake back up again. 
Zack had decided that he was going to stay up for a little while playing with his laptop. But, after about an hour, I heard him turn everything off and settle in for sleep. 
lightening storm off in the distance.
Clearly, the Wilderness Lodge had not been filled to capacity the night before. He took us up the elevator with our magical golden keys, and when we arrived at the concierge floor a few seconds later, we found it to be completely deserted. One club level CM was just coming around the corner towards her desk, and I think we gave her a bit of a scare standing there with our pile of carry-on luggage, airplane-seat-head, and morning breath. She let us know that her computer wasn’t even turned on yet (how you know your flight landed way too early,) but that we should just head into the kitchen to grab some breakfast and she’d get our packet together for us.
) the CM called me back to the desk and quickly got my packet of information ready for me. I had a key with Eileen’s name on it, so I texted her that it was ALMOST like she had arrived with us. But, since Sha was actually there, I think Eileen didn’t necessarily agree. We were awarded room 7048, and since I’d been scoping out online maps and room view pictures for months, I had a pretty good idea of what was in store. Sha decided to head to our room with us since hers was just two doors down. Once we arrived, we found a few surprises. 
We headed out the door and re-joined Sharon, right around 8 AM. Not bad for having arrived that morning, or just more proof that our flight had landed too freakin’ early!
On a better note, glad the room was ready, and P-Sha was there to greet you!! 
about the crummy red-eye-travelers -- just rude, if you ask me. What a neat surprise from Princess Sharon, too. 
). 
Eileen's "Love" updates...or were they "Hate" updates for awhile? I don't remember. I have been enjoying a nice beer while I've been reading, so as far as I know, everything was sunny! 
is what I wanted to do to him. Maybe I should try the 'ole stink-eye next time.
(BTW, Sharon, what were you doing up so early? Jeez, woman, you went to bed late! Don't you ever sleep in?! 
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I seem to have the same luck with passengers sitting in front of me, but when it's a red-eye, it just makes it that much more frustrating! How wonderful that P-Sha surprised you at the WL. I loved the dialogue that went on between Sharon and Eileen during all of this! Can't wait for more.
Everything just worked out perfectly and it looked like I planned every detail when actually I was just lucky. 
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