Colexi's Spring Break Adventure - Thread 3 of 3 - COMPLETE 6/27
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**Fortissimo** · 06-18-2005, 09:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Coming Up Next……...Do We Get up in Time??, and “sorry, you’re going to miss your plane”

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Uh oh!

Maybe this means that your trip isn't really coming to an end!

Love the report!

LLaffinPlace · 06-18-2005, 10:41 PM

Marnie--great update. Sorry to see things winding down and I am worried about what comes next!

Once again we were so close to you! We were in Germany watching Illuminations this same evening! I love your beautiful pictures of it (and all the others too).

Thanks!

Our one "disappointment" from our trip was that we did not manage to see the new stunt show at MGM. But we'll use it as one of our reasons to go back!

DawnDenise · 06-18-2005, 11:54 PM

What wonderful pictures of Illuminations! We didn't get to see the Stunt Show either so I am looking forward to that on my next trip! Very interested in the next installment!

**chezp** · 06-19-2005, 03:01 AM

What great Illuminations photos Marnie – and I love Alexa’s face painting!

I’m sorry to hear that the weather didn’t cooperate for much of the day, but it looks as if you enjoyed your day anyway.

Tara O'Hara · 06-19-2005, 05:16 AM

Marnie awesome update and photos!! I am so glad that you accomplished all you set out to do!!

**LizardCop** · 06-19-2005, 05:45 AM

So Sorry this one is coming to an end. Great report and photos...

Kinda afraid to hear the next installment, with that title!!!

Annabel · 06-19-2005, 09:05 AM

I'm all caught up and I've so enjoyed reading your report Marnie

The photos are awesome also. I'm sorry it's coming to an end

**Colexis Mom** · 06-19-2005, 08:04 PM

Day 10 – Sunday, April 24th………Do we Get up in Time?? And “sorry, you’re going to miss your plane”

Well, I’m happy to report that all the alarms went off, and we were up without a hitch. We even had time for me and Matt to take showers

We gathered up the last of our belongings, and headed down to the lobby. They had not come around with the guest checkouts yet, so I had to go to the front desk to pick them up. What a large stack they had there

Matt headed off to get the car, and I waited with the kids on one of the benches. While we were waiting, I spotted another family leaving from the Villas. They were all piling into the minivan, with Massachusetts plates. Ugh, I just could not drive that after spending a week at Disney. I was exhausted and the last thing I wanted to do was spend a day in the car. More power to them for driving it!

Matt soon arrived, we squished (and I mean squished) the rest of the stuff into the car, and we were off for the airport. We made it without incident, and drove the car to the National return area. There were people checking the cars in, so we just had to wait a few minutes. However, there were no skycabs to be found

So here we are, trying to move 2 car seats, a stroller, a stroller in a bag, 2 large suitcases on wheels, a backpack, a carryon, and a large duffle bag. Alexa pulled the carryon, and we put as much as we could on the stroller. Matt had both suitcases and the duffle bag. Somehow, we managed to get to the ticketing area. But this is just where the fun begins

The line for check-in for Southwest was huge

When we came in December, we didn’t get there until almost 7:30, and had a minimal wait. Since this was peak vacation week (at least in the Northeast) they snaked everyone into two sections. I had to check with a few people just to make sure this was the Southwest line

Thank goodness we got up in time, we were inside by 6:45 so had plenty of time to spare. Others were not so lucky.

It was already close to 7 when this woman, her DH, and two kids approach the Southwest agent manning the overflow line (he would stop the line and then people thru since it was blocking an aisle to the gate areas). She starts moaning about how her flight is supposed to leave at 7:25

yada, yada, yada…she’s trying to bypass the line. Well, he didn’t care, his response was she had to go the back of the line. He told her that if she got all these people in front of her to say she could get in front of them, then that was fine (and this was just the overflow line, it was still at least another 10 minute wait in the line in front of the agents). So she’s moaning, pleading her case to the people at the back of the line. I laugh, because her DH is not saying anything

Then we make it up to the area between the overflow, and the real line, and she comes up to us asking if she could butt us. I said no

She starts giving some sob story about how she hasn’t traveled since 9/11, she didn’t know you had to be there so early, yada yada yada. I still said no

Matt said yes

Gee, she somehow managed to get down to Orlando, yet doesn’t know that you need to be there early for flights

Whatever

So they finally get up to a ticket agent, then us right after. We ended up with B boarding passes, but hopefully they’ll still let us preboard with Colin. We end up getting done first, get our luggage over to the xray machine, and head for security. It’s now about 7:15. I look, and the woman is still behind us! So much for butting the line! We get into line for security, and are about half way thru when I see her talking to the TSA person trying to butt the line again. Apparently they got in, but had to wait behind everyone else already in the queue. We got thru security (the kids had to take off their shoes again – light up sneakers) and headed for our last monorail ride

As the monorail was pulling away, I saw them running for it, they had missed it. Not sure if they held the plane for them or not, it was already past 7:25 when we got to the gate area. I felt bad for the kids and the DH, but not her

Once at the gate, we headed to the pre-board area and dropped our stuff. The gate area was already full with people. I knew it was going to be a full flight. Matt took the kids to get some breakfast, and I just sat there. When he came back, I went up to the gate agent to make sure we could pre-board

and to get some gate check tags for the stroller and car seat. There were quite a few families pre-boarding on this flight, probably about 8!! We made it on board, and chose seats near the front. Again we sat 3 and 1, with me first being by myself across the aisle, and then I had to sit with the kids, because Matt needed his nap

They had some issues trying to seat a mother and her daughter, there weren’t any seats together, but finally someone moved for them.

The flight home was uneventful. Colin slept pretty much the entire way, as did Matt. Alexa and I did her puzzle book, and she tried to take a nap, but she couldn’t fall asleep. Soon enough, we were landing. It turned quite windy, and that was one of the worst experiences I’ve had in a while landing…….I was holding on for dear life

Obviously, we made it off the plane, gathered up our luggage, and headed for the car valet. We made a stop as usual at Dunkin’ Donuts for some Munchkins and a bagel sandwich, and then drove home. Colin fell asleep again

and I think Alexa napped as well.

No episodes with Colin getting out of the car this time (for those who read my December report) and we dragged everything into the house, started the washing machine, and I started to unpack. I headed out food shopping, since there was nothing in the house, and by the time I got back, Colin had a 104 degree fever

He ended up with coxsackie virus, and was sick the entire week we got back (at least it waited until we got home!

That’s it…it’s all done! It was an adventure, and thankfully not the nightmare I had expected

Coming up Next………..Final thoughts

Cinderbrella · 06-19-2005, 08:28 PM

Glad that you made it home safe and sound! Poor Colin!!

I'm sorry that he was sick!!
The woman at the airport sounded pretty brazen!

Sounded like jumping the line didn't work out for them.

Looking forward to your final thoughts!

disneymom9092 · 06-20-2005, 08:41 AM

I am so glad it wasn't you who missed your flight Marnie! So sorry about Colin! I can't wait to read your final thoughts!

Tara O'Hara · 06-20-2005, 08:44 AM

Marnie, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your trip report, as usual!!

Your family is adorable!!

Thank you for sharing your adventures!!

**Caldercup** · 06-20-2005, 10:20 AM

Just got caught up, Marnie, and it was a terrific trip report.

[ QUOTE ]
If it was off tomorrow, it didn’t matter as Alexa was living for the moment!

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She's my kind of girl!

So... when's your next trip?!
Eileen

mom2my4dwarfs · 06-20-2005, 10:53 AM

Wonderful report Marnie.

LSUtigerfan · 06-20-2005, 12:48 PM

Sounds like your trip was great!

for sharing, I've really enjoyed reading it! My dd's had that horrible coxsakie virus two years ago....oh my, that was the worst for my youngest dd....I hope Colin didn't suffer too badly with it.

Looking forward to your final thoughts, as well!

Steph A · 06-20-2005, 03:06 PM

It sounds like a wonderful vactation Marnie. I too was opposed to traveling during this time of year, but it doesn't sound too bad. Any day a Disney is a good day! Can't wait for your final thoughts.

Steph A